Exposed Page 5

  “Good for you.” She walks toward the house and opens the door.

  I’m right on her heels. She looks at the ceiling and groans.

  “You need to back off, Brienne. I don’t know why you think you have any right to him, but I’m telling you now, you don’t.”

  “I’m not sure why you feel I’m such a problem.”

  “Because everywhere I turn these days, there you are…staring longingly at Elias.”

  I see her flush despite the dimmed lamps as we both step inside.

  “We’re friends, Mara…something you could use right about now. Goodnight.”

  Damn her. She managed to have the last word, weak as it was.

  Damn if it doesn’t sting a bit though.

  Chapter Seven

  Mara

  For a few days, all I can think about are the things Elias said to me about my father. I avoid everyone and read everything I can find online about the case. On the third day in my room, I feel stir-crazy and decide it’s time I confront Luka and my mother.

  I start with Luka. I make sure I go to breakfast when he does and don’t miss the look of surprise when he sees me in the dining room waiting for him. Eden looks at me with dread and it makes getting dressed worth it to see her annoyance.

  “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you at breakfast,” Luka says in lieu of a greeting.

  “I want to know everything you know about Father.”

  His eyes widen and he sets his fork down. “I’m glad to hear that.”

  I frown at him, shaking my head at Chelsea when she offers me orange juice. “You act like I’ve been willingly blind.”

  “Haven’t you?”

  I feel a lump in my throat and force my eyes to the ceiling, anything to avoid making a scene in front of Eden. I might be spiteful, but her father is dead; I’m not completely heartless.

  “I’ve tried to be loyal. Something that I thought you were before all of this.”

  “I’m extremely loyal…unless murder is involved.” Luka’s tone is cold and I feel the loss of my brother from the top of my head to the soles of my feet, everything dead in between.

  “So you really and truly believe our father killed Eden’s father.” It’s the first time I’ve said that exact sentence out loud and it makes me shudder. I put my shaking hand over my mouth.

  Eden and Luka both look at me in shock, but I see a softness in my brother’s eyes that hasn’t been there in a while. He gets up and moves by me, kneeling next to my chair, his arm on my shoulder.

  “I know he did it, Mara. I keep saying it, but I made sure of the facts before I put him away.”

  “Then why is Mother still with him—why is she defending him?”

  “You’ll have to ask her. I’ve never fully understood the two of them, have you?”

  I think of how complicated our parents’ relationship is—the affairs, the dysfunction, the alliances and loyalty they always preach to us—and look at him and Eden with slightly different eyes.

  “Do you really think the two of you can make it?” The words are out before I can stop them, but I realize I really want to know the answer.

  Luka stands up and moves back to his seat, taking Eden’s hand in his, and places a kiss on her palm. She gazes at him with adoration and her cheeks flush as she stares back at him. Normally I look at the two of them with disgust, but I can’t help but admit I’m curious about what makes the two of them work. So far anyway. They have an arranged marriage, for God’s sake.

  “I will always fight for her,” Luka says.

  “And I will always fight for him,” Eden whispers. Her eyes fill with tears, which is her typical default, but it doesn’t bug me as much as usual for some reason. I feel like I’m in the middle of an intimate moment between them, instead of the one asking the questions.

  I take a deep breath and it seems to shake the mood. They both turn to look at me. “I wonder if our parents ever felt the same way.”

  “I think our parents have always been more obsessed with power than I’ll ever be. I’d like to think they loved each other once…and even now, that maybe they love each other in their own way. It’s just not a way I can relate to.” Luka speaks with conviction and I feel a slight pang of guilt that I’ve been so awful to him. Very slight.

  I almost feel bad for how I’ve been to Eden too…but not quite.

  Maybe a little more than I’d like to admit.

  But honestly, this has been very traumatic. I’m doing my best to survive the upheaval.

  “Do you really want to see all the proof?” Luka brings me back to the conversation.

  “Yes.” I swallow hard. I do, don’t I? Part of me doesn’t want to know. The sooner I admit that to myself, the sooner I can be honest to my brother. The truth is I’d rather go on in the dark than find out he’s right about our father, but I nod, solidifying my answer.

  “Okay. I’ll show you this afternoon. I have a meeting this morning and then I’ll leave the afternoon free for us.” Luka digs into his breakfast then and I know the conversation is over. He’s always been laser-focused when it comes to food.

  * * *

  I look for my mother after breakfast and she’s doing yoga in her room. I can tell she’s out of sorts with being interrupted, but this feels more important than her fitness.

  She lets me into the room and I don’t hesitate.

  “Luka has a recorded conversation proving Father killed King Safrin. What do you have to say about that?”

  “It’s a lie.”

  I study her eyes and watch the firm set of her lips as she says the words. I wait for her to say more, but she doesn’t.

  “That’s it? That’s all you’re going to give me?”

  “I believe Alidonia is the guilty party and your father is taking the fall for it.”

  “Do you have proof?”

  “Not yet.” She turns from me and walks to her yoga mat, sitting down as if our conversation is over.

  “Don’t you think the police would’ve found the truth by now, especially since I’m sure he had the loyalty of most of them?”

  Her eyes land on me in rage and I want to shrink into the floor. I’ve always tried to stay on my mother’s good side. Always. Her anger is not something I’ve ever been comfortable with—I’ve made sure to always align myself with her, even if like now, I’m not given all the facts.

  “Where is this coming from? I thought you, of all people, were loyal to this family. You are a Catano through and through. You’ve seen through Eden’s righteous act all along and have seen how Luka has been reduced to a sad state over a woman. Don’t tell me you’ve gotten sucked in.”

  I bite my lip and feel the shame of her words to the very depths. “I pride myself on being a Catano. You know that better than anyone. And I’ve stood by Father without bothering to look at whatever proof Luka claims to have, but that ends today. I want to know everything.”

  She stands back up and walks over to me, her steps deliberate. When she reaches me, she stares at me, her eyes level with mine.

  “You turn on your father and I will make sure you don’t see a cent of your inheritance.”

  I gasp. “You can’t do that.”

  “Watch me.”

  * * *

  I leave the house and go for a drive while our driver Harmi tails me. When I stop at my favorite beach and get out, I text Luka and let him know that I won’t make our meeting.

  Another day in the dark won’t hurt me.

  Chapter Eight

  Elias

  The next morning, I’m stretching when Brienne arrives.

  “There you are. I wasn’t sure you were going to make it this morning.”

  She takes a deep breath and steps forward, getting in place. “Sorry, I’m late. I didn’t sleep well last night.”

  “That’s too bad. What was on your mind?”

  She mumbles something about a little spitfire and a castle, but the rest of her words die off and she simply says, “Sometimes my t
houghts get the best of me.”

  We start moving in sync, our swords taking over the conversation for a few minutes. We go through a series of movements that force me to move quickly and I stop thinking so much about anything but this, right here, right now. My shoulders slowly relax and the tension eases in my muscles.

  We go for a half hour at least and are both sweating when we’re done.

  “You’re the best competition I’ve had besides my teacher,” I tell her, grinning.

  I take off my shirt and her quick intake of breath makes me pause. I throw my shirt over my shoulder, trying not to make a scene.

  “Elias! What happened to you?” She rushes to me, studying the bruises on my back.

  I turn and put my shirt back on. “You say your thoughts get the best of you? When I feel that way, I fight.”

  “Fight?”

  I nod. “You should come sometime. See if it helps clear your head at all. With skills like yours, you might find it’s a good fit for you too.”

  “Where?”

  “If you’re interested, I’ll be by to pick you up tonight at ten.”

  “That late?”

  “It’s when the demons come out to play.” I laugh when her eyes widen. “Join me?”

  She nods. “I don’t know what I’m getting myself into, but count me in.”

  * * *

  When I pull up, Brienne is waiting. She’s wearing all black and slides into the car before I can get out and open the door for her. She looks around, as if she doesn’t want to be seen leaving with me.

  “Are you sneaking out?” I tease.

  “Something like that.”

  I don’t blame her. Something tells me Mara would not take it well. I look over my shoulder myself and up at her window, breathing easier when I don’t see any signs of her.

  The first few minutes of our ride are quiet. I feel her studying me out of the corner of her eye. I eventually turn to her and grin when I catch her mid-gaze.

  “You ready for this?”

  “I’m not sure.” She laughs awkwardly.

  “I think you were made for this.” I motion with my head. “It’s just up ahead. I bet you had no idea such debauchery was so close to the castle.”

  “I don’t know what to say to that. Debauchery?” She laughs again and pulls her shirt down, biting her lip. “Where are we going?”

  “Almost there.” I make a few turns and the last street has no lights. We go down a long dirt road and I cringe every time I take my car on this shitty stretch.

  I park outside a large warehouse and put my hand on her arm before she opens the door.

  “Stick close to me and don’t be afraid to punch anyone who gets too close.”

  She looks terrified, but she nods briskly. I can almost see the excitement chugging through her veins at a rapid speed.

  The warehouse is crowded when we step inside. Everyone is focused on the ring in the center, spotlights on the two men fighting. They’re both bare-chested, sweaty, and one is bleeding more than the other.

  “Durel Hammond will win this round.” I point to the guy on the left, the one that is just a bit better off than the other.

  She flinches when she sees them pummel each other with their fists. When she turns to ask me a question, she tries not to yell, but it’s hard over the loud cheers going on around us.

  I ask her to repeat what she just said.

  “What makes you think I could ever do this?” she asks.

  “I’ve seen the way you handle a sword. The skill sets are similar. Wait until you see the women…they’ll fight in a few rounds.” I motion behind me and she follows me to a booth in the back.

  Tito smiles when he sees me and opens a book.

  “Who you betting on tonight?” he asks.

  “Hammond and Ducanti.” I hand Tito a pile of money and he makes note of it in his book before putting the money away.

  Before we walk away, Tito calls me back. “You fighting tonight?”

  “Not tonight. Next time.”

  “Too bad. You should see this guy fight. He’s really something.” Tito tells Brienne, his eyes doing a sweep down her body.

  I shift until I’m standing in front of her, blocking his view. “Thanks, Tito. Eyes back in your head, buddy.”

  “You can’t yell at me for enjoying the view!” Tito yells as we walk away.

  I roll my eyes at Brienne as we move back near the fight just in time to see Hammond giving the final blow to the other guy. They do the countdown and then Hammond’s arms are lifted in victory.

  “Easy money.” I grin.

  The next fight is Ducanti and a guy I don’t know—Bushnell. Fuck. Bushnell is surprisingly good. Really good. This is a fucking nightmare. I put way too much money on Ducanti.

  The fight is over before it really even gets started, with Bushnell taking Ducanti down in three swift hits. I can’t believe this.

  “Fuck!” I yell. I run my hands through my hair. “Looks like I’ll have to fight tonight after all.” I turn to Brienne. “Will you be okay while I’m out there?”

  She looks around. “I feel fairly safe. And the crowd is so focused on the ring that it seems like they won’t pay much attention to me. Sure.” She shrugs.

  “I’ll be right back. I need to let Tito know…if you feel like staying a while. It’ll be after the women’s rounds. I could take you home and come back if you’re not up for such a late night.”

  “I’m good with staying.”

  When I come back from seeing Tito, Brienne is engrossed watching the women fight.

  “One of them isn’t very good,” she says in my ear.

  “Do you feel a gnawing need to get out there and show them how it’s done?”

  She laughs, nodding. “What’s wrong with me? What makes me think I know how to do this?”

  “Look at their footwork and how they strike. You see the similarities to swordwork, don’t you?”

  She nods again, sobering up. “Yeah. I think you’re right. I could do this.”

  I feel a flutter of pride and that feeling in my gut when I know I could bet on a winner. I’ve seen her with the sword. She could beat these women, hands down.

  Over the course of the next few fights, I tell her what each girl does wrong and how they’re caught off guard. Time flies by and the next thing I know, I need to get ready.

  “I’m up next.”

  She faces me, alarm in her eyes, and I laugh.

  “Don’t look so worried. I’ve got this. Wish me luck.”

  “Luck,” she says, holding out her fist for me to pound.

  I walk behind a curtain on the other side of the ring and win in record time, knocking my opponent out flat and taking home more money than I came in with…a good night.

  * * *

  It’s been too long since I’ve taken a woman home and I need one desperately, especially after a fight when the adrenaline is pumping directly to my dick. But things have shifted to an easy friendship with Brienne and I don’t feel the desire to mess that up in the slightest. She looks at me like I’m worth something, which would normally be a turn on, but with her, it’s just nice. Pleasant.

  I take her to the castle and park in the shadows, reaching over to give her a hug.

  “Way to hang in there tonight, Brienne.”

  Lights shine on my face and I don’t give it much thought. I won, I’ve got money in my pocket. Life is pretty fucking fine.

  Dear Elias,

  I thought you were going to kiss me today. You stared at me and at my lips and then started stuttering about stars. It was so cute. I would’ve laughed except I didn’t want to ruin the moment. And also because my heart was pounding so hard, I think a laugh would’ve come out sounding like I was choking.

  I should’ve just leaned over and kissed you instead because you lost your nerve and instead of kissing me, I learned about all the constellations…which was nice, but I would’ve preferred the kiss.

  I mean, I think that’s the way it ha
ppened, but sometimes I wonder if you even feel the same way about me as I do about you. I think you do, but sometimes you get stuck on the fact that you’re two years older and also…my least favorite thing about you…that you’re not the same as Luka and me. I really don’t like it when you say that. Mostly because I’ve heard your mother saying it to you and she says it with a snarl when she looks at me. I usually get out of there fast when she does.

  I don’t need a prince and I really don’t need a king. My dad is enough king for me to handle most days. I just need you.

  Love,

  Mara

  Chapter Nine

  Mara

  I don’t come home until late that night and when I pull into the driveway, I brake suddenly, shocked out of my mind to see Elias’s car parked in a darkened alcove. I turn my lights off and pull up next to him instead of my usual space. I get out of the car and turn my phone light on, shining it on him and—

  I lose it when I see her. The two of them locked in an embrace is something that I will never be able to wipe out of my mind.

  They break apart and I run to his door, open it, and shine my light in his eyes. I can’t even think straight. I kick the side of his car.

  “How could you?” I yell.

  He looks stunned, and for the first time in my life, I hate Elias Lancaster.

  I turn and run and I hear him calling me, but I don’t stop. He grabs my arm and I try to shake it off.

  “Mara, wait. Please.”

  I shrug out of his grip and run inside. When I reach my room, I slam the door in his face. He opens the door and comes in, out of breath.

  “Get out of here, Elias.”

  “Please, I want to explain.”

  “Nothing you say can explain away what I just saw.”

  “It’s not how it looked, I swear. Mara, I care about you—you know I do—but you and I would never work. Don’t you know that by now? As much as I hate to admit it, there’s no way your family will ever accept me.”