Page 7 of Goldsin

Or maybe her name was Stacie.

I don’t even notice Lacey leave, nor that my glass is empty now.

All I see isher.

Until my gaze flickers across the room, over to my brother, and I notice the way he’s staring at her, his dark eyes narrowing as if he’s seeing something I’m not.

Without a second thought I march toward him.

“Enjoying the view?” As I sidle up to him his lips curl into a thin smile, betraying nothing. Yet his eyes remain glued on her, assessing.

“Can’t say I am.” He takes a sip from his glass. “But itseems you are, little brother. Don’t bother. She’s nothing more than a tight ass.”

“She wasn’t even that to you,” I bite out.

If the dickhead talks about her ass so carelessly one more time, I’ll make sure he’s sitting front-row while I make every inch of her mine.

“Come on, Julian. You think she’d ever want to fuck someone like you?” He peeks at me before adding, “She’s out of your league, and you know it.”

“Is that a challenge?”

I kept my distance all those years. Never looked at her or even acknowledged her existence.

You fool. What about that night at Emeric’s party?the voice in my head taunts.

But they aren’t dating anymore. He got his ass dumped.

And I can finally look at her.

“Take it however you want.” He returns his gaze to her. “Just remember who she belongs to.”

“Belongedto, brother. Now she’s mine to take.”

“Boys.” Lucian appears at our side, his greeting dripping with distaste. “I see you’re enjoying yourselves.” His eyes flick to Adrian then me, and when they do, something flashes behind his eyes as he measures my worth.

And I know he sees none.

Adrian’s quick to respond. “Of course, Father.” His voice is devoid of the emotion I roused in him.

Lucian nods, content, before turning his focus to me. “Julian, I hope you’re not bothering your brother. He has important matters to attend to.”

The meaning behind his words is clear: I’m not worth his time.

“Everything’s fine.”

On instinct I glance over at my mother, who’s now laughing at whatever the guest is saying. She looks beautiful. Elegant and carefree despite the bruises she hides beneath her long-sleeve gown and her makeup. Courtesy of our dear father.

“Good. You two should focus on your roles within the family, not on petty squabbles,” he orders harshly.

“Understood,” Adrian replies.

Emotionless.

The perfect son.

“Right,” I say instead.

A wave of anger boils my blood just below the surface. I know better than to provoke Lucian, but that doesn’t mean I have to fake how much I enjoy his company.

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