Page 4 of Glass

Once Kit has resumed his game, I lean back in my seat. “As my brother said,Crispin. You didn’t think that we might be paying a visit soon? I’ll admit that I was very surprised to see the accounts this month. Some significant spending happening.”

Spreading his hands out, Crispin looks apologetic, even as his eyes dart to the door. “Ah. Yes. You’ll recall that we did discuss a small increase – ah, due to my upcoming nuptials. Such a happy occasion, after all, and as the heir to the throne, there are… expectations.”

“Including from your bride to be,” Rafe says drily. “Since she’s rinsed every jewelry store within a fifty-mile radius. The futureMrs Crispyhas expensive taste.”

Crispin turns a little paler. “I will… speak with her. My fiancée has had quite a difficult life, as you may know, and it’s taking her some time to adjust.”

My fingers tap on the table. “I have no patience for, nor do I care to pander to your future wife, Your Highness.”

My voice is cold, and Crispin gulps. “Well—,”

“Your repayments will need to increase to cover the shortfall. Rather substantially, I’m afraid. With interest. I fear that the royal celebrations may need to be scaled back somewhat as a result. I presume your fiancée will be fine with that? If not, she could always sell some of her new belongings. The rings alone could fund Sorelle for six months at least.”

I’ve heard plenty about the lovelyCinderellaand her awful upbringing. The whole country has been talking about her and her vile-sounding sister.

I wonder what the fuck she sees in Crispy. It has to be the money. He might be handsome, but the man has nothing but air between his ears. Air and pussy. At least a third of his debt is from prostitutes.

Crispin sputters. “Well, now – perhaps… um. Perhaps we can come to some sort of arrangement?”

My smile is slow, and I pull the list from my pocket, sliding it down the table. “Perhaps.”

Crispin picks up the sheet, and his brows dip as he scans it. “This is… quite a lot, Silas. The money laundering regs alone – those have been in place for more than four hundred years. There will be talk—,”

He catches himself as he looks up and sees my face. “I’m sure it will be no problem.”

“Excellent.” My voice is smooth. “Then I believe our discussion has concluded. For today, at least.”

Standing, I offer him a single nod before turning to leave. Kit stands slowly, putting his knife away as Rafe jumps up from his seat without even bothering to hide his pleasure at the brief meeting.

My eyes glance across the front pages of today’s newspapers as I sweep past. They’re set out as they always are, placed carefully at the end of the table in case Crispin has the sudden, unusual urge to learn a single damn thing about the country he’ll apparently be running one day.

God fucking help them.

And thank fucking god forus.

We might make changes where we need to, to suit our own business interests, but there’s more than one incident we’ve yanked on Crispin’s strings to manage. His father

My hand is already on the gold handle of the door when I pause, something tugging at the corner of my mind. Urging me to turn around.

Rafe and Kit tense behind me as I twist. Crispin gulps audibly, but I’m not looking at him as I turn and slowly make my way back to the table.

No. My attention is firmly on the full-page photograph accompanying today’s sensationalist headline.

UGLY STEPSISTER TO FACE CINDERELLA AT TRIAL

My brothers come to stand on either side of my shoulders, their eyes moving down to take in the picture.

Kit stills. I’m not sure he’s even breathing.

I catch Rafe’s indrawn breath, the half step back.

I wonder if they feel it too. Like they’ve been punched in the stomach, the air sucked out of their lungs.

She almost looks like a different person. Pale and sallow, dirty, deep circles beneath her eyes. But the shape of those eyes, thosefucking catlike tawny eyes that pierced me the first time I looked into them – those eyes don’t lie.

“Silas,” Rafe breathes. “Do you think—,”

But I’m already flicking over the page, ignoring the hovering presence of Crispin. Searching for the information I need. Information I’ve been looking for, foryears.