Page 31 of Wicked Knight (Knight's Ridge Empire 1)

“I’m not leaving school,” I argue.

“I know. You’re practically living at Theo’s. I’m sure Damien wouldn’t mind making it more permanent.”

“She won’t want to be in a place like that. Why would we want to make her even more miserable?”

“She’s killing herself, Seb.”

“And who are we to stop her,” I snap. If she really doesn’t want to be here for her kids, then why should we make her?

“Seb,” she sighs.

“Sophia,” I echo.

“Are you going back to Theo’s?” she asks, changing the subject slightly.

“I don’t know.” I have no idea what the hell I’m doing right now.

“You should.”

“We’ll see. How’s Phoebe?” I ask, thinking of my niece.

“She’s great. She’s almost walking. It’s going to happen any day now.”

“Send me a video. I want to see it.”

“Of course.”

“You should go. I’m sure you have better things to do than talk to me.”

“Seb, you know I’m right here if you need me.”

“I do. But I’m good. I promise,” I lie.

Right now, I’m the exact fucking opposite of good.

“Okay. Love you, little bro.”

“Love you too. Give Phoebe a kiss from me.”

“You could come here and give her one yourself.”

“Enough, Soph,” I warn.

“I know. Sorry. I’ll see you Sunday, yeah?”

“You got it.”

I cut the call and lean forward with my elbows on my knees, my phone hanging from my fingers.

I have no idea how long I sit there, drowning in the misery that is my life. But when my phone pings again, it scares the shit out of me.

Toby: You want me?

My brows lift at his question before the realisation dawns that Theo decided meddling with my family wasn’t enough. He’s gone after Toby as well.

Although, I can’t deny that I’m mostly happy about this one.

My finger taps against the side of my phone for a few seconds, trying to come up with something that’s going to mean he has to leave Stella.

A thought hits me and I start typing my reply, hoping it’s enough to drag him away from her.