Why did he say it if it doesn’t come easily to him?
We’ll talk later.About what?
Shaking my head, I give myself one last check in the mirror and remember how confident I felt just a few moments ago. And with a smile, I leave our room to go downstairs.
Re-enactingTitanic, I walk down the imperial staircase as Xander looks on, the latent smirk back on his face.
“Wow. A true showstopper.” His voice is cold and detached.
The way he’s looking at me is weird as well. It’s like the tender moment earlier hasn’t happened. Like he’s back to his predator ways.
Only it’s not even back to that familiar distantmemory of Xander when I first met him. It’s colder, more aloof. Less him, for sure.
What happened?
What changed?
Did his declaration scare him? I wasn’t demanding his love. Hoping for it, perhaps, but he said the words first.
By the time I reach the last step, I’m positively annoyed.
He prowls toward me, fisting his hands and I fight the urge to step back. He is so close now, but it’s like my body doesn’t recognize him.
It’s Xander, but it’s not.
“Stay away from her, asshole.” The voice thatisXander’s booms.
Chapter 26
Xander
Cora whips her head to me, and Liam exhales a small, humorless sound.
“Step away, I said,” I growl at my brother.
He finally does, and I rush to wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her to me. To save her from my brother, but also to reassure myself she is still mine.
I came to the dome yesterday to tell her the truth. I was going to tell her again last night. And then before Lottie barged in.
Every time, the conversation gets derailed. Or I let it derail.
Maybe it’s a sign I shouldn’t tell her.
Instead of the truth, I told her I love her.
That is the truth. The only truth that matters.
The businessman in me already knows theprobability that the truth will matter to Cora is greater than I care to accept. I would even go so far as to admit the odds are not in my favor.
I’m an investor; I take risks all the time. Yet here I am, avoiding one simple conversation with my wife. Because it’s not simple.
In my defense… Fuck it, there is nothing I can say in my defense. I fucked up, and I need to get my head out of the gutter and deal with the situation.
“Wow, this one is a keeper,” Liam drawls. “I see why you would break our pact.” He turns to Cora. “My apologies, it’s the habit of deception my brother and I enjoy playing. I guess no longer.” He shrugs. “Liam Stone. You must be Cora.” He kisses her knuckles.
“You never told me you had a twin.” Cora looks at me wide-eyed.
“You didn’t tell her you have a brother?” Liam asks.
