Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 156392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 782(@200wpm)___ 626(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 782(@200wpm)___ 626(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
“There he is. I thought we’d lost you for a minute there, cousin, which wouldn’t have been tragic since I can simply carry on your legacy.”
“Lan, stop provoking people for fun.” Bran elbows his brother.
They might be identical twins, but Lan could be spotted from outer space as a nuisance in the form of a ticking bomb. Bran’s expression is softer and lacks all the maliciousness his brother managed to absorb in its entirety when they were in the womb.
Since I’m in the States, where most of my family members decided to lounge for a while, I thought I’d meet them.
I’m regretting the decision immensely.
We're in a recently opened bar with gaudy black-and-red wallpaper that clashes against the dimly lit atmosphere. Vintage posters and old-fashioned beer signs hang all around, giving off a nostalgic yet edgy vibe. Our group huddles in a booth toward the back of the establishment, seeking refuge from the deafening music blaring through the speakers and the never-ending buzz of conversation.
“You should’ve seen him during this entire week,” my brother says from beside me, alerting us to his usually silent presence. “He’s been in a worse mood than a presidential candidate losing the election.”
“And you chose to shove this energy on us, Cray Cray?” Lan feigns a pout. “I’m disappointed.”
“It’s only fair you guys suffer along.”
“Thanks for the support, little bro.” I glare at him. “Greatly appreciated.”
He merely shrugs and focuses back on his phone, probably texting with his fiancée. Bastard is so pussy-whipped, he can’t survive without her for a couple of hours.
The same is true for Lan, who only separated from his girl because she had some sort of spa retreat with her sister.
Bran was talking with his boyfriend on the phone during what was supposed to be a bathroom break while smiling and shaking his head. Sorry, he was talking with his fiancé, as that crazy heathen Nikolai loves to remind everyone. Honest to God, I can’t see why the most well-mannered and possibly the most normal King grandchild is with a man who’s the definition of a disaster.
They suspiciously work together, though, as stamped and approved by Uncle Levi.
The only reason Nikolai isn’t here watching Bran like a creep and smiling to himself right now is because he couldn’t get out of a meeting with Jeremy and their mafia wagon.
“You should’ve brought Ava,” Cecily says from my other side, still cross with me about the fact that I came alone.
“What makes you think she would’ve wanted to come?” I conceal the fact that the whole point behind this trip was to remove myself from her proximity.
“Of course she would’ve,” she argues. “Even if it was just for a get-together.”
“Now, Cecy.” Lan swirls his drink. “Can’t you see that Eli’s brooding episode is entirely because he’s suffering from a distance?”
“You’ll suffer from a distance between your food and toothless jaw,” I say calmly.
“My, a threat. I thought you didn’t deliver those, and if you do, only sparingly?” He smirks.
“Lan, come on,” Bran says. “You’re being unreasonable.”
“Not to mention a twat,” I add.
“I’m just stating the obvious. Not my fault everyone prefers to bury their heads in the sand and carry on with their merry lives.”
“So you’re a wake-up call?” Cecily asks with a roll of her eyes.
“A wake-up call, a hazard alarm, a breath of fresh air in the midst of stifling hypocrisy. Take your pick. At any rate, I’m indispensable.”
“In hell and only possibly,” I mutter.
“Don’t worry, dear cousin. I’ll fight you fair and square for Satan’s throne when we’re there.”
I stand up. “I’m out.”
Creigh follows, but I pat his shoulder. “Seeing as I was bothering Your Highness, you’ll be happy to know that I’m flying back home.”
He nods.
“Pretend to be affected, wanker.”
He clears his throat and adopts a fake-ass sorrowful expression. “I’ll miss you, but I won’t miss your awfully moody presence. Hug Mum and Dad on my behalf.”
My brother envelops me in an embrace and I return it, knowing full well he’s as allergic to mushy shit as I am. Or probably more.
When my parents brought him to our house and introduced him as my ‘new’ brother, I despised the idea of sharing space, personal possessions, or parental dedication with someone else.
But then he followed me around everywhere, albeit silently, and participated in every sort of mayhem I dished his way. Though he did accidentally snitch to our parents about our endeavors.
In a way, Creigh wormed his way into my life slowly but effectively—something he shares with my wife.
The only difference is that he’s always—mostly—on my side and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I was lucky to have gained a brother. We might not share a drop of blood, but he’s one of the few people I’d sacrifice anything for to keep safe.
“You’re leaving?” Bran asks.