Page 44 of Carnal Games

What am I doing? Chasing him? To do what? He’s no longer a crush. He’s my soon-to-be brother-in-law. I’m nothing more than a stranger joining his estranged family.

The stakes have risen.

I’m off-limits to him, but so is he to me.

“Who are you?” I ask at the last second, in a desperate attempt to hold onto him.

He senses I’m well aware of his identity but pauses anyway at the doorway. “Someone yourfiancéwouldn’t like you being alone with.”

With that, he leaves.

I sink into the bed.

Oh my God… I’ve made a grave mistake.

***

When I return downstairs after barely composing myself, I’m ambushed my Bianca and Rosalie near the spiral staircase. Tugging on my hands, I’m pulled into a corner and the three of us huddle in a circle.

“Where did you disappear to?” asks Bianca.

“Not important,” Rosalie interrupts and wags her brow at me. “Guess who’s here.”

I’m still high from the encounter upstairs that it takes me a beat for their questions to sink in. Judging by their reaction, it’s obvious who they’re talking about. But I need to act nonchalant. “Who?”

“Your brother-in-law.”

My chest hurts at the reminder. “Kian?”

“The one and only.”

“I heard someone say he wasn’t invited,” Bianca says in a hushed tone. “Is it true?”

“I think so.”

“Damn…” curses Rosalie. “Didn’t peg him for a gate-crasher.”

“I wonder what made him show up.”

Rosalie replies to Bianca, “I bet he came out of his cave to check out his brother’s girl. Must be upset Nathan beat him to the altar. Those two take sibling rivalry to a whole new level.”

“Nobody can top you and Nova when it comes to rivalry,” teases Bianca.

“Tell that to my hubby,” complains Rosalie. “He won’t let me give tips to Nathan.”

“Somebody misses causing chaos.”

Rosalie’s eyes glaze over as she sighs. “I so miss the old days.”

“Wait until I tell Nova this.”

“Only if you want me to go after Dash’s ass.”

“He can handle himself.”

“You sure, Bee?” teases Rosalie.

“Where is Kian?” I interrupt their bickering. “Did he talk to Nathan’s parents?”