Chapter 80: My Dark Prince: Chapter 79

Her façade lasted two seconds.

We reached the end of the hall when Briar stumbled into my side. I scooped her up, carried her to the car, and tucked her into her seat beneath my jacket, strapping the seat belt over her. Her teeth started clattering as I cruised down the driveway and through eleven fucking acres of grass.

I cranked up the heat, despite the sweat building at my temples.

Briar pulled her legs to her chest and wrapped her arms around her knees, still swathed by my jacket. “I don’t even know if I want to find him.”

“It’s okay, Cuddlebug. I just said that to piss them off. You do you.”

And me, please.

Three times a day.

“I can’t believe they showed up there.” She rested her head on her knees, slanting it to face me. “They contacted your parents and pretended we were still in touch. Obviously, they wanted to use you to regain your parents’ friendship.”

“I very much doubt they can rekindle what’s been doused with ice water.” I switched my left hand onto the steering wheel and gave her my right one when she reached for it. “First, they were never friends. Dad hated Jason from the start, but they placed nice because I was fucking obsessed with you. And second, my parents were pretty turned off by the serious allegations against Jason. I think they only invited him tonight to appease you.”

Her index finger began drawing invisible patterns on the inside of my palm, vibrating with her groan. “Mission failed.”

“My mom is never going to forgive herself.”

“It’s not her fault. I’ll call her tomorrow and tell her I appreciate all she did for me.”

“You can, but she still won’t forgive herself.”

“Just like you’ll never forgive yourself for Sebastian?”

She laced our fingers together, resting them on the center console. I resisted the urge to close my eyes and drown in that feeling of both of us, connected.

I shook my head. “It’s different.”

“It shouldn’t be,” she whispered.

“You know he lives in the south wing, don’t you?” I blurted out.

I promised myself I wouldn’t tell them I was onto them, but I also didn’t want Briar to think I kept secrets from her.

“I know. And I adore you for it. You are a good big brother, Ollie.”

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. “If only Seb agreed.”

“He does.” She squeezed my hand. “He just doesn’t know it yet.”