Page 135 of Deviant Reign (Knight's Ridge Empire 6)

I pretend to think about it for a few seconds. “Maybe I will,” I tease.

“You’re killing me, babe.”

“It’ll be worth it. I promise. Now go, your mum, brother, and sisters are waiting for you.”

“They’re gonna be pissed when I turn up without you.”

“Next time,” I promise.

As if she knows we’re talking about her, Theo’s mum pops up on the screen as his phone rings through the speakers.

“I’m late,” he confesses.

“I know. Go. We’ll talk later.”

“We will.” Something wicked twinkles in his eyes, but the second his lips find mine, I forget all about it.

I climb out of the car the second he releases me for fear that I’ll just tell him to drive and take me with him.

Stay strong, Emmie. Don’t lose your mind over his dick.

“Hello?” I call after letting myself in and waving Theo off.

“Living room,” Dad calls.

Dropping my bags, I follow his instruction and find him and Piper curled up on the sofa, watching what looks like a nature program. Oh, the ways that woman has changed my father.

“What’s so funny, kiddo?”

“Um…” I look between him and the TV. “Are you really watching a documentary about trees?” I ask, quirking a brow.

“No, not really. It was just background noise.”

“For?” I realise my mistake the second the word falls from my lips. My eyes drop to the blanket covering them before I lift them to the ceiling. “Just pretend I never said that. I’m gonna go shower and get ready for school in the morning.”

“Oh, so you remembered that you live here then?” Dad quips, making a show of lifting his hands from beneath the blanket to show me nothing untoward was happening.

“Yeah. This is my home, and school is my priority,” I state proudly. “All the rest, I’ll figure out along the way.”

Both Dad and Piper smile at me.

“And what does Theo think of all this?” Piper asks after a few seconds.

“Well, his need to control everything around him and keep me safe is freaking him the hell out right now. I’ve sent him to Selene. Hopefully, she’ll sort him out.”

“I’m pretty sure the only person in the world that boy really listens to is you, Em,” Dad mutters with amusement.

“Why do you think he’s heading toward his mum’s?”

“Fair play.”

“So are you together or…” Piper probes, clearly wanting the gossip.

“Yeah, we are,” I confirm. “But we’re taking a few steps back, starting over. Being teenagers.”

“Sounds smart."

“Well, I am your daughter,” I sass.