ANTON
“The garden looks nice,” Yulian says, looking out over the expanse of green. It’s been expertly maintained by the absurdly large group of gardeners I keep on staff. “Lilies are really popping this year.”
I raise an eyebrow as I turn to my younger brother. “Since when do you notice shit like that?”
He shrugs. “I notice things. Sue me. You got Papa’s gene of only giving a shit about world domination.”
“Don’t be so sensitive,” I laugh, shoving him in the shoulder. “You make it way too easy to ruffle your feathers.”
Yulian rolls his eyes. “And you’re supposed to be the mature one.”
“No, I was expected to be the mature one. There’s a difference.”
“Is that why then?”
“Why what?”
“Why you hate him?”
He asks the question with a smile, same as how he does everything, but I can see the seriousness behind it.
I look away. “I don’t hate him. He was my father as much as yours.”
“But… ?”
“But he tried to control me. You’d resent him, too.”
“Even now?” he asks. “No one controls you anymore.”
“Doesn’t stop everyone from trying.”
Yulian throws me an incredulous look. “Please. You’re too damn stubborn to even be worth the attempt. I’m speaking from experience here.”
I laugh. “There have to be some perks to being don.”
There’s a brief pause before he lobs the next grenade. “Is Jessa Gilmore one of those perks?”
I sigh. I figured we’d end up on this topic sooner or later. As it turns out, it’s sooner. “Do you like her, brother?” I ask pointedly.
“Do I even have the option?” Yulian asks. “You’ve set your sights on her. I assumed she was off-limits to me.”
I shrug. “That’s never deterred you before.”
Yulian just rolls his eyes. “It doesn’t matter either way. The girl is into you.”
“That’s an interesting assumption.”
“It’s not an assumption,” Yulian says. “I’ve spoken to her enough now to be able to tell. I don’t know how far her feelings run, but she likes you. More than she knows.”
“Must have been some conversation.”
“Like I said, I notice things.” He shoots me one of his most charming smiles. “And you know I’ve got a way with women.”
“Your one talent.”
“Oh, I’ve got more talents,” he says confidently. “I’m just waiting for the right moment to unveil them.”
I snort. “I won’t hold my breath.”