Page 35 of Brutal Heir

“I’m not used to people pushing back,” I murmur, eyes dropping to her mouth. “Most people just fall in line.”

Her lips curve. Not a smile. Not quite. “Then it’s a good thing I’m not most people, yeah?”

Before I can stop myself, I lift a hand and brush a lock of wet hair from her face. She stiffens, then leans ever so slightly into the touch.

This is dangerous.

I pull my hand back like I’ve been burned. “You should go.”

“And leave you here sulking like a child at your own cousin’s party?” she challenges. “Not a chance.”

“Rory—”

“You snuck out without telling me, and now you’re trying to punish me for showing up? Nope. I’m staying. Whether you like it or not. I love parties.” She smirks.

I stare at her, silent, breath tight in my chest. Then finally, I shake my head. “You’re insane.”

“Probably.” She winks. “But you need me. And deep down, you know it.”

I don’t respond. I can’t. Because she’s right.

So instead, I gesture toward the door. “Then let’s get back out there before someone thinks you’re actually punishing me in here.”

She grins, sliding her arm through mine like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Her hand brushes my bicep, and I swear, my body sparks like it’s waking from a coma. I hate how much I want to keep her close. I hate that I can’t look away.

“Lead the way, McFecker.”

AndDiohelp me, I do.

CHAPTER 15

A MAFIA HEIR

Rory

By day six, we’ve fallen into an easy rhythm, and I daresay, the broody Gemini heir has actually started to trust me. The baths and dressing changes aren’t quite as awkward anymore, and he no longer fights me on every single one of my suggestions.

Mrs. Jenkins flutters around the kitchen, cleaning up the remnants of the most amazing frittata I’ve ever had. If I survive the seven days, I’ll be rolling out of here at the end of the contract term.

Alessandro sits across the island from me, scanning his iPad as he sips the cappuccino Mrs. Jenkins just made. The woman is an angel who whips up the closest version of a caramel macchiato I’ve had outside of Starbucks.

“Another latte, dear?” She tips her chin at my empty mug, a few strands of silver hair falling free of the tight bun.

“No more for her.” Alessandro chugs down the remainder of his coffee and stands. I’m pleased to see he doesn’t even wince at the movement. “We need to get going.”

“Where? Physical therapy isn’t for another two hours.”

“I need to stop by the Velvet Vault on the way.”

“For what?” I barely hide the surprise in my tone. Every time I’ve brought up his nightclub, his expression shutters, and he can’t seem to get away from me fast enough.

“Dio, Rory, what’s with the inquisition? I need to speak to Lawson. He’s the finance guy over there.”

“This is great, Alessandro. I think it’ll do you good to start getting out of the penthouse more. Going back to work is exactly what you need.”

“I never said anything about going back to the club. That’s why I have a manager to handle all the day to day shit. I don’t belong th?—”

His words fall away as a sullen mask descends over his features. From everything Serena and Isabella told me, the Velvet Vault was his baby. He lived and breathed that nightclub, and now he wanted nothing to do with it?