Page 85 of The Devil's Deceit

When it comes, I bark out a laugh that I have to hastily cover up as a cough. She’s sent me a stock photo of an empty bearskin rug in front of a fire with a comment underneath:

Nothingon a bearskin rug.

God, she’s adorable.

Xan kicks me for the third time, and the look on his face tells me I’ve pushed my luck as far as it’ll stretch. Time to wrap it up.

Me: I can’t wait to see you. It’s been a tiring three days.

Grace: I’ll be here.

Another two interminably long hours pass before the chair wraps it up. I’m on my feet a second later. Xan takes his sweet time gathering his things, then I swear, just to annoy the fuck out of me, he strikes up a conversation with the person sitting to his right.

I roll my eyes.

“Your brother being his usual asshole self, I see.”

I turn toward the familiar voice and hold out my hand to shake Donovan Sinner’s. “You read the room, my friend.”

“Something to rush home for?” He raises a brow, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes.

“Listen, when you fall for the right one, you’ll know how it feels.”

Christ. Did I just admit out loud that I’ve fallen for Grace?

“Never gonna happen. I’m a committed bachelor.”

“Probably because no one will have you,” Xan clips out.

Donovan snickers. The relationship between these two has always been fractious, and I’ve never got to the bottom of why, nor am I particularly interested in finding out. Sometimes we dislike people for no reason, and make no mistake, my brotherdespisesDonovan Sinner.

“It’s a shame marriage and fatherhood haven’t made you any less of a jerk, Alexander.”

“I’d rather be a jerk with a beautiful family than whatever sad cliché you’re clinging on to. Christian, let’s go.” Xan grips my elbow and virtually shoves me from the room, muttering curses under his breath.

“Just what is your beef with that guy?”

“I don’t have a beef with him.” He stabs the button for the lift, shouldering his way inside before the doors fully open.

“Could have fooled me.”

Xan waits for the doors to close, then rounds on me. “Forget Sinner. He’s a nobody. What the fuck were you playing at, Christian? I get your reluctance to come on this trip. I’d rather be at home fucking my wife, too, but we have a job to do, and a family to represent on the council. Your inattentiveness was noted by the chair.”

“You know me. I don’t have the attention span for this kind of thing. I like staying in my lane, and this isn’t it. I don’t know why Dad asked me to come.”

“He doesn’t need a fucking reason. He’s the head of the household. Show some fucking respect.”

I rub my lips together. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

His annoyance withers in the face of my contrition. “Apology accepted. So… you’re falling for Grace, I hear.”

The lift doors open at the lobby, allowing me to escape without answering. I should’ve known he’d overhear me talking to Donovan. The minute that guy speaks, Xan’s ears prick up and he tunes in on every word. He waits until we’re situated in the car and it drives off before he brings up the subject again, in a way only Xan can.

“You know, being in love is life changing. I neverwould’ve thought I’d fall, but once I did, once I stopped fighting the inevitable, I realized it was sheer fucking bliss. To know that she’s mine and I’m hers. That she’ll always have my back, and I will murder in cold blood anyone who hurts her. It’s freeing.” He punches me on the arm. “Welcome to the club.”

“I’m not in love with Grace.”

Xan gives one of his ‘I smell bullshit’ nods. “Oh, I see. I could’ve sworn I overheard you telling Sinner about falling for the right one.” He runs a hand over his chin. “My mistake.”