Page 149 of Wicked Knight (Knight's Ridge Empire 1)

“I can feel you staring,” I snap.

“That’s because I am.” I huff in frustration and he continues. “I know what’s hiding under that cheeky little skirt, Princess. I wouldn’t be a man if I didn’t imagine it.”

“You’re a dog. Now fuck off, unless you want me to do your hair, too.”

I’m about to reach for Calli’s door when his hand wraps around my arm, stopping my progress.

“I love my sister, Princess,” he warns, his voice low and deadly. “But she’s not made for this kind of life. I won’t let you drag her into it.”

I rear back as if he’s slapped me.

“Fuck you, Nico. Your sister is a big girl. She’s smart enough to make her own decisions.”

Without another word, I rip my arm from his grip and storm into her room.

“What’s wrong?” Calli asks the second I swing the door closed behind me, ensuring the interfering asshole won’t follow to continue his lecture.

“Run-in with your brother.”

“Ugh,” she moans. “He’s been like a bear with a sore head all week.”

Dumping my purse on her bed, I walk over and stand beside her in front of her wardrobe.

“I don’t know what to wear,” she moans.

“We’re just meeting in a diner, right? So jeans and a shirt. Keep it simple. Cute.”

“I don’t want to be cute. I feel like that’s what I’ve been my entire life. I don’t want to be sweet and gentle Calli. I want to be Calli Cirillo.”

I glance over at her, knowing exactly what she means.

“Go sit down. I’ve got this.”

She does as she’s told, and I rummage through her wardrobe until I find something I think will be perfect.

“Don’t you think it’s a little short?” Calli asks, looking at herself in the mirror an hour later. “I’m pretty sure I got this for my twelfth birthday.”

“It’s perfect. I promise. Just don’t… you know, bend over.” I smother a laugh at the look of horror on her face. “You’ve got panties on, right?”

“Oh my God, I’m changing. I should have just gone with the jeans.”

“No, you are not. You look hot, and Ant’s eyes will pop out when he sees you. Come on. We need to sneak out. We’re fucked if Nico or any of the guys catch us.”

“Well, that’s not reassuring.”

I pause in front of her, placing my hands on her shoulders.

“I thought you wanted to leave that Calli behind?”

“I do,” she says, and I watch as she finds some confidence and holds her head higher. “I am. Let’s go.”

With a nod, I step away, pull her door open and gesture for her to go first.

She looks hella hot as she marches past me in her studded boots, black skirt and grey slash neck sweater. She isn’t showing off that much skin, but I guess when you’re used to hiding it can seem like a lot. Her hair is in soft waves and her makeup is a little heavier than she’d usually wear, giving her an edgy look.

I’m sure of one thing. If Nico or any of the guys catch us, we’re in trouble.

“What is this place?” I ask when I slow outside the address Calli punched into my GPS.