Page 82 of Cruel Hearts

The older woman closed her eyes. Her sausage lips parted to release a shuddering breath. “We’re happy to pay for any damage to your property, but if you persist in harassing my daughter, there will be consequences.”

“Delilah,” Mr. Burgh said in a warning tone.

“Alright.” I stepped away from the door.

Sticking her nose in the air, Lady Liddell let herself out of the living room. Elizabeth cast me a hateful glower before walking out after her mother. I followed them out, making sure they left through the front door and pulled it closed.

I chewed my bottom lip, my mind racing through the events of the last few minutes. Lady Liddell had caved in because Elizabeth had dropped a huge clue as to why she and her mother wanted me gone. If the old cow had manufactured a fake DNA test, the reason had to be huge.

And related to the story of Esau.

What else did I know about him? His younger brother, Jacob, placed animal skins on his shoulders to scam a blessing from their blind father. A jolt of excitement shot through my chest, and I raced back to the living room.

“I know the identity of my other grandfather.” The words tumbled from my mouth.

Mr. Burgh’s eyes bulged. “Who?”

“The archbishop.”

He shook his head. “That’s impossible.”

“Lady Liddell made some terrible accusations yesterday.”

“What did she say?”

Kendrick cleared his throat and stood. “I’m going to be late for class.”

Mr. Burgh nodded and flicked his head toward the hallway, indicating for me to walk Kendrick out. I escorted Kendrick to the door, our hands brushing as we walked. If he hadn’t arrived today to call me out for sleeping with his brother, Elizabeth would have unscrewed the bathroom lock and—I shook off those thoughts.

What was it with me, danger, and falling for guys who came to my rescue? I was hardly a damsel in distress. For as long as I could remember, it had been me against Billy Hancock, foster fathers, and bitches up for a challenge. Now, I had a trio of sexy guys watching my back. It was comforting but at the same time, frightening. What if I came to rely on their support and lost it?

Kendrick opened the door, and snowflakes swirled in through the freezing wind. He stepped out onto the doorstep and turned to me with a faint smile. “I’m glad you weren’t hurt.”

“Not as glad as I am that you stopped her.” I stepped out with him into the cold morning and closed the door.

“What are you doing?” His gaze flickered to a point over my shoulder. I could only guess that he was fretting about Mr. Burgh leaping out from behind the door with a shotgun.

“Thanking you for saving my ass… Kendrick.” I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulled him down, and placed a kiss on his lips.

A burst of excitement sparked from where our mouths touched. It raced down to my nipples, making them tight, and it settled around my clit. I hadn’t expected to feel so aroused after a peck.

Kendrick sniffed. “I saved your life, not your posterior.”

I wagged my brows. “Are you angling for a better reward?”

“Perhaps,” he said with a tiny smirk. “See you later, Lilah.”

“Later.” I curled my fingers into a wave.

Kendrick kind of reminded me of a white, straight version of Gideon. Seeing him from that perspective made him a hundred times more endearing. I watched him walk across the courtyard, looking indistinguishable from Maxwell apart from the rigidness of his posture. But that wasn’t surprising considering how long he had spent pursuing a girl who had no interest in boys.

He paused at the gate and gave me a brief wave before continuing to the academy. I exhaled a happy sigh. Maxwell probably would have blown a kiss or something.

When I stepped back through the door, Mr. Burgh stood in the entrance hall with his arms crossed over his chest.

“I thought you had fallen out with the twins,” he said.

“Max and I have made up,” I replied.