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Folding my arms in front of my chest, I pin her with a glare. “What are you doing here?” Philipe takes a step toward me, giving me a look that says not to ask. But I don’t obey my fucking brother. “I didn’t think you were that desperate to have another Lancaster inside you,” I taunt, knowing she’s going to go running to Philipe.

“Cut it out,” he grits as he tugs the cooler from the trunk of his car.

I don’t need this shit. Spinning on my heel, I make for the house and unlock it before stepping inside. The musty air is the only evidence that we haven’t been here in months. Each summer we would come out here and spend our vacation at the lake. But over time, the tradition died off, and when Philipe moved to New York and my father was away, I started my own tradition of sorts.

Party at the lake.

I make my way directly to the floor to ceiling windows and push open the sliding doors, which lead out onto the patio. The sky is ink with pinpricks of white. The moon is high, a sliver of silver against a backdrop of darkness.

My favorite time of the day, when the sun hides and the shadows come to play. More cars arrive, but I don’t go inside, I don’t acknowledge that my brother brought my ex. Voices filter through the house, and glasses clink in the kitchen.

“You hiding out,” Etienne greets when he joins me. Dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a black Guns N’ Roses’ tee, he looks relaxed.

“I am, Philipe decided having Kelli here would be a good idea. Asshole.” My best friend chuckles at me. It’s been a long while since I ran from a woman, but Kelli is a viper, and I don’t know what my brother is doing with her, but if he’s into sloppy seconds, he can have at it.

“I wonder if the new girls will be here,” Etienne says before he sips the beer he’s holding. He watches me with the dark glass bottle pressed against his lips.

“No newbies. I didn’t tell anyone unless Tarian’s decided he wants to get his dick wet.” I grin. Even though Etienne is our equivalent of Casanova, it’s Tarian who brings all the beauties along with him whenever there’s a party. He lives his life as if it’s his last day on earth.

Perhaps it’s time we all took a page from his book. The music blares to life as the girls squeal in the house. I can’t stop rolling my eyes when Kelli comes outside to drape herself over Etienne.

“Hey, E.” She smiles up at him. He’s probably two heads taller than her. She’s a tiny little black-haired minx who would jump on any dick if it meant she’d be a part of the in-crowd. And that’s why I said she’s my biggest mistake and my last regret.

“Didn’t know you’d be here,” he tells her, shrugging her off his arm, which causes her to scowl. Her fat, pouty lips purse in frustration when she steps back.

“Guess Philipe is the only one with some taste here,” she scoffs, glancing over at me.

I lift my drink, tipping it toward her, before responding. “Guess so. My brother is well known for taking sloppy seconds,” I bite out just to annoy the fuck out of her.

“Fuck you, Ares. When you wanted me, I was always there for you.”

“Yeah, to spread your legs,” I retort back with a chuckle.

She bristles at my words, and I know she’s pissed off. She’ll probably run to her daddy to complain about me, and if it gets back to Harding, it will definitely get back to my father. But right now, I’m not in the fucking mood for her bullshit.

Kelli spins on her heel and makes her way inside, leaving Etienne and me to stare at the tiny shorts that hug her bubble butt.

“She does look good in those,” my best friend grumbles, and I can’t deny he’s right. The shoes she’s wearing accentuate every part of her muscled calves and thighs.

“Yeah, but she ain’t worth the headache.”

“She might be,” Etienne’s gaze is captured by someone inside the house, and I turn to find a blonde who’s dressed in denim cut-offs, black fishnets, and a torn tank top that reads, Bitch, on the front across her tits.

“Go for it,” I slap him on the back, giving his shoulder a squeeze before I head up the side of the house to the private second floor. It’s my getaway when shit gets too much downstairs, and I’ve always enjoyed the peace and quiet that it offers.

The vibration from downstairs still thuds through the floor, but the giggles and squeals are dimmed somewhat as I push through the glass door and flop on the sofa. The bottle of bourbon I left here a couple of months ago still sits on the coffee table.


Tags: Dani Rene The Gilded Sovereign Adult