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Of course, it could be Wicker’s or Lex’s, but it wouldn’t matter. There’s no way the three of us didn’t make that baby together, imbuing our Princess with the essence of us. That’s something my brothers don’t understand yet. I can see it in them. The bitterness. The anger. The misery. They still think this is a punishment, something we’re enduring.

But for me, nothing has ever felt more right.

Or more mine.

She eats a bowl of cereal at nine and goes to the bathroom shortly after. Then, into the bedroom at ten. She probably doesn’t even realize her dresser mirror is placed in an unfortunate location, where someone looking through her window can glimpse half a tit when she dresses for bed.

I get frustrated and tense when she turns out the light, but then a blue glow appears, illuminating her face as she settles into bed.

The laptop.

Instantly, I pull up the screen mirroring program, feeling more of those electric zings as I watch her cursor move on my screen. It’s better than having her here with me, this knowledge that I’m getting her unfiltered, without reservation.

She opens her email first, sending a document titledGeopolitical Structures of North Asiato her poli-sci professor.

“A little light reading for us before bed,” I say to Effie, downloading the file.

Next, she does some searches on morning sickness. Apparently, there are a million different ‘cures’, and each personal account would swear on their fetus thattheirsactually works. I watch her expression on the screen, nose wrinkling with every disgusting recipe.

There’s a moment where the cursor pauses over the search bar.

Then, she begins typing in the text box.

“Forsyth abortion providers.”

I jolt from my seat, startling Effie into a flapping fit, but before I can grab my phone and send Verity a text, she begins backspacing.

On the screen, a tendril of her hair flutters with a sigh.

“Maternity jeans.”

Slowly, I set my phone back down, sinking back into my seat. “You’re goddamn right.”

Effie squawks. “Please, god, no.”

I don’t even realize how long I’ve been watching her until a knock sounds at my door. I jolt again, this time fumbling to pull up the feed of the hallway. If Father finds out about these cameras…

But when the door swings open, it’s just Lex, shirtless and mildly disgruntled. “It’s after midnight. Are you going to—” His words cut off when he sees the screen.

Immediately, he shuts the door behind him. “Is that…?”

Releasing a breath, I sink back into my seat. “Yeah. It’s her.”

Lex steps closer, zeroing in on her face. “How the fuck are you watching her right now?” He cuts his eyes to me. “If you crossed into Perilini’s territory—”

“Give me some credit.” I reach down to adjust my cock, which I now realize has gone from semi-hard to full-on boner. “I’ve got friends in low places.”

Lex’s gaze tracks my hand, eyes narrowing. “Why are you even bothering? Personally, I’m glad to be rid of her for a month.”

There’s a tinge of betrayal in his voice that makes my shoulders tense. “We have to make sure she’s not organizing against us,” I offer, trying to make it casual.

Lex can sense how weak that argument is. “Let her. So long as we get a baby in eight months, we win.” Straightening, he nods to Effie. “Put her away and come to bed. We have that job tomorrow, and you still have to show up at practice. You and Wicker need to rest.”

Shrugging, I turn to put Effie back into her cage. “Then I guess you don’t want to hear about the coffee she had today.”

As expected, the room grows tense with a sudden silence.

“Excuse me?”