Page 33 of Thorns of Deceit

“And I’m Raven’s husband, so he’ll have to respect my wishes and stay the fuck away.”

“You know what he’s like.”

Kyran pulled a face, then added, “Annoying as shit. He really should step the fuck down and let you lead. His mindset is medieval.”

I sat on the couch, the city skyline spread out across the wall of windows. “He’ll step down when he’s ready, but it doesn’t mean he controls us, and he sure as fuck won’t be rushing me and using Raven for his own gain.”

“Have you… asked her about it?” Tyran was always the more reasonable twin, although he had his moments too.

I shook my head.

“I guess it’s been more hanky panky and less talking, huh?” Kyran remarked, grinning like a fucking fool.

“Who in the fuck says hanky panky?” Tyran scoffed.

He ignored him, rubbing his hands together. “The fact that they are… let’s say,engagingin sexual relations is a good sign. I was worried the girl wouldn’t be able to handle Aiden’s kinks.”

“Kinky brother and sister-in-law,” Tyran remarked, and I promptly flipped him the bird.

“Don’t read too much into shit,” I grumbled, knowing they would fucking die from laughter if they knew the truth. “And for fuck’s sake, don’t concern yourselves with my sex life.”

Kyran’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “But?—”

“Did you just call to piss me off?” I cut him off.

Kyran’s expression turned serious. “We just wanted to check on you.”

“And to remind you we’re here for you,” Tyran chimed in, his words softening me further. “It can’t be easy marrying someone you barely know.”

“I know enough.” I rubbed my face with my hand. “And I like her.”

“That’s good, because she’s yours now,” Kyran retorted.

“And Uncle implied she better be happy, so keep yourself on the straight and narrow.” Tyran’s advice was sound, but unwelcome and more than a little unnecessary.

Before they could carry on, I hooted out a laugh. “Out of the three of us, I’m the only one who’s ever attempted the straight and narrow. God help your women.”

Tyran’s grin turned sheepish. “But Uncle doesn’t know that.”

“And we’d like to keep it that way,” Kyran grumbled. “I don’t need him on my case.”

I snorted. “Ditto. So tell him what he wants to hear, and remind him that he doesn’t have access to my building. Got it?”

Tyran sighed and, shaking his head, muttered, “I’ll give him some bullshit story. It should keep him off your back for a bit longer.”

“But not Mother,” Kyran piped in. “She lost her shit when she learned her firstborn got married without notifying her. Don’t be surprised if she makes an appearance.”

I shrugged, rolling my eyes. “Good thing she doesn’t have access to the building either.”

“Like that’ll stop her,” Kyran grumbled. The topic of our mother always put him in a bad mood, and I didn’t see that changing anytime soon.

“I’ll talk to you two later.”

“We’re here when you need us, bro.”

I cut the call and lingered for a few moments, contemplating their veiled warnings. While my relationship with Mother was tolerable, my siblings didn’t share the same luck. Especially my sister. Mother wasn’t the easiest person to get along with. She had a talent for inserting herself into everyone’s business. Things got worse whenever she stumbled upon one of her good-for-nothing lovers. I’d had to put her in her place more than once, and it wasn’t until I threatened to cut off her allowance that she finally took me seriously.

Of course I wasn’t naive. I knew she tried to use my siblings to pry into my affairs, but they were smarter than that. The twins brushed her off with practiced indifference, while my sister refused to engage with her altogether.