Since my grandmother loved New York and frequently took me there to attend high-society parties, these family names ring a bell.
Both powerful and wealthy dynasties that effortlessly rule New York, everyone wants to be part of their small circle, but that’s impossible, as they don’t allow newcomers into their fold.
The two guys in question are the direct heirs to their fathers’ thrones.
They have been inseparable since they were kids, and there are many rumors about them and their wicked ways, as my grandmother called it.
“What are they doing here?”
“There is this thing called free will. I know that must be a new concept for you.” Orion just stares at his brother, so he elaborates with a prolonged, dramatic sigh. “One of them isobsessed with a girl who’s in town now. Not sure which one has the hots for her, or maybe it’s both of them.” I swallow hard at the insinuation because, what? “No. It’s one of them. They are too possessive to ever share. Just like you, Brother.” He pats Orion on the shoulder, and this time, evades his push, bowing several feet away. “See you.”
And after a moment, he’s gone.
The silence falls on us, interrupted by crickets chirping from the open terrace door, and I put more vegetables in my mouth, chewing as Orion starts cutting into his steak.
“How come no one knows you have a brother?”
“I make sure to keep my life private.”
“He’s friends with Levi and Wyatt, though. So they must have attended the same school.” And these guys are constantly on the media’s radar. Not to mention, they received the best education in the world, so avoiding people would have been impossible for Actaeon.
“They did.”
Actaeon’s words ring in my ears again. “He said it’s his middle name. So he goes by another?” He nods. “Why?” I mean, they both make it sound as if no one even knows his real name, and why would anyone go to such lengths to hide it…unless a real danger awaits Actaeon?
Orion is wealthy and might be a target for evil people who make their money through ransoms. Nevertheless, I’m not sure that’s the reason to keep him such a secret, and it’s not like he is in the Mafia, where they can use his brother as leverage against him.
He was born after Orion’s mother died and his father never remarried, so would it be such a scandal if the world found out he fathered a child on the side?
“It’s better for him.”
The cryptic replies remind me that I live in my delusions when it comes to this man. It seems that no matter how he acts, there is always one outcome.
Orion Wright hurts me with indifference right after showing me an ounce of affection, and like the starved fool that I am, I latch on to it only to be pushed back again.
This thought springs me into action.
Swallowing my food, I get up. “I’m not that hungry, so I’ll go to my room and rest for a bit.”
“Sit down.”
“Why? So you can keep giving me dry, short answers while you eat your food before we go our separate ways? No, thank you. I’m done.” I dart to the side, ready to escape, only to gasp in surprise when he catches my hand and pulls me to him, making me sit on his lap with his muscled arms wrapped tightly around me. My palms rest on his chest, our lips inches apart.
“Let me go.”
Our proximity would usually play with my senses and push me to act pathetic. Plus, the memories of our last time together in this very dining room flash through my head, urging me to run away so I don’t fall for his charms again.
I don’t want another dismissal.
“I’m sorry.” I blink, stilling in his grip, and gasp when his splayed hand travels up my arm and closes around my throat. “I’m not good with words.”
“You own a multibillion-dollar company. You have conversations every day. Your empire depends on how well you can network with other people.”
“It’s business and nothing personal. Believe it or not, I usually tell people to fuck off when they ask me questions about my family. My dry answers, as you so eloquently put it, were me trying to be nice to you.” He ponders something for several moments. “Actaeon’s mother is dead, and he has no otherrelatives. His real name serves as a shield from nosy people who would’ve made his life unbearable if his true origins came to light. Even Rafael doesn’t know his name because protecting my brother is my top priority, and I don’t want to burden you with this weight.”
It’s the most he has spoken to me since we’ve met, and my heart warms at how much he must adore his little brother. Many in his situation would have turned their backs on their half siblings. Per my estimation, he must have been born around the same time Conrad, his father, died, so the little one had no one but his brother. Given the complicated relationship he used to have with his father, Orion showed a lot of his true character by accepting the boy and raising him.
My brother never had enough empathy or love to accept me, so what Orion did for Actaeon means the world to me.
