Page 135 of Anywhere

“I thought it was fucking sexy the way he got everyone to shut up and stop arguing. Besides, Dad can handle himself, and it was nice to hear someone stand up to the pompous asshat,” Rook said.

“Sexy? Have you lost your mind? Look, I know Dad forced you to go there, but we can still get out of this. Your union ritual isn’t for two days, and I know that if we put our heads together, we can come up with a plan to get rid of our little problems.”

I couldn’t help but smile as I held Rook’s gaze. He seemed content to let his brother wallow in the steaming pile of shit he was creating.

“Is that so? What did you have in mind? Swap partners out? Maybe drown them all? Oh, I’ve got it. Let’s put them on Dad’s jet and then poison the pilot, so he crashes it and kills them all.” Rook’s eyes went wide as he nodded at the camera.

“I was kind of thinking more along the lines of rejecting the ceremony and standing up to Dad together, but your way works too, I guess,” Devlin said, his voice no longer sounding confident.

I chuckled at the look on Devlin’s face. Rook grabbed me by the shirt and pulled. I knew what he was doing. Our lips met, and it wasn’t a little peck type kiss. Rook kissed me like no one was watching as he attacked my mouth. I gripped the back of his neck and returned the ferocity of his kiss, making sure to taste every corner of his mouth, and then nipped his bottom lip as we parted. Turning my head to look at the camera, I smiled at Devlin, whose mouth was hanging open.

“Hey’ya, Devlin. I be hearin’ dat we’re gonna see ya soon ‘ere on da island fir a visit. After all dose glowin’ comments ya be givin’ me, I cannie wait ta see ya in person.” I straightened, loving the stumbling and swearing Devlin did before he hung up on Rook.

“That was too much fun. Fucking with my brother is one of my favourite pastimes,” Rook said, reaching for me again.

Even though there was a ton of work to be done, the moment he touched me, I was ready never to leave the room again. The power no longer consumed us, but it hummed and came alive as soon as we were close enough. It was more a constant thrum of energy just below the surface of my skin, like it was reminding me that Rook and Eley were mine.

I leaned in for another kiss when the door to the office opened and Eley poked her head inside.

“I’za cannie leave ya two alone for a moment wit out ya gettin’ all hot, which makes me all hot, ya should know.” She closed the door and leaned against it. “I’za snuck off on Sam. He gonna kill me, but I no wanna put on da poofy lace dress.” She lowered her voice to whisper, “It be hideous.”

“Well, yer certainly welcome ta join us,” I offered.

“Temptin’, truly, but…”

I watched her walk across the room and peer out the window before pulling the heavy curtains in place to block out the darkening sky. She then proceeded to check all the doors to make sure they were locked.

“We be alone?” We nodded our heads at the same time. “Dere be somethin’ dat I’za tink ya need ta see, but me thinkin’ dat ya should be pretendin’ dat ya dinnie know ‘bout it.”

I looked at Rook to see if he understood if what she said made any sense to him, but he lifted a shoulder, confused as I felt. Usually, I understood what she was saying, but it was as though she was talking in tongues.

“Sorry, Eley, but I’ma no’ sure what ya mean.”

She got closer but kept looking at the corners of the room like a monster might jump out.

“I dinnie wan’ ta take ya out dere in da dark,” she said, nibbling at her bottom lip.

So much time passed during the meeting, and it felt like a lot had happened, but I got nothing done.

“Dere be somethin’ important ya need ta see, but no one can know,” she said.

My interest was piqued. “Aye, ya no we no’ be sayin’ anytin’,” I said.

“Same here. What’s going on?” Rook asked, standing.

“Follow me, but if we be seen, make it look like yer just fixin’ ta have a tiddle and poke session out by da trees.”

She waved us over and opened the door to walk out, a wide smile on her face. I wasn’t sure why, but she giggled like I said something funny before looping her arm through mine. This was becoming curiouser by the second.

We wandered through the castle, out the front doors, and down the steps to the forest path near the gates. Then took the scenic route and meandered through the gardens. The guards weaved their way through the darkness. Their eyes glowed softly with their unique ability to see in the dark.

Before we stepped into the shadows of the forest, Eley looked up at me.

“Kiss me,” she whispered.

Not bothering to question why, and all too happy to taste her sweet lips, my head dropped to hers, and I kissed her long and slow.

“Hey, I want in on this,” Rook said.