Fuck them both.
Let them stress over it.
I have zero desire right now to let anyone know Hollywood’s new golden boy is my twin. I don’t want that kind of attention. But they don’t know that, and I’ll use it to my advantage. There may come a time when I need that ammunition, and I’m keeping my options open.
Besides, I don’t want that prick’s money. He can shove it up his pompous arse and choke on it.
A muscle clenches in my jaw, and Vivien Mills, my twin’s precious girlfriend, takes a step back, fear and confusion clouding those stunning greenish-brown eyes. The table rattles, and some of the drinks spill.
“Watch it,” Jamie snarls, drilling her with a look. “Or the next round’s on you.”
“Stop complaining,” Ash says to Jay while yanking on my arm. “A little drink got spilled. Big deal.”
Why is she here? And why is she masquerading as someone else? Did Simon put her up to this? Is that why she looks so terrified? Is she afraid I have already figured out who she is? If she thinks she’s going to influence me into signing that contract, she can think again. And if she thinks she’s going to use my sister to get to me, I will fucking ruin her. Fuck the freaky connection simmering between us, and I don’t care how gorgeous she is. No one gets to hurt my sister. That shit will never happen again on my watch.
The skin on my knuckles blanches white I’m clenching my hands so tight. I glare at her, pouring all my venom into the look so she gets the message loud and clear. If Vivien is here to cause trouble, I’ll be the one bringing it to her. The Lancasters will rue the day they tried to manipulate me. If she’s a part of whatever game they are now playing, I won’t hesitate to take her down too.
What if she is here to spy on me? To report back to Simon on whether I’m being a good boy and keeping the news of my bio family to myself?
Ro gets up and shoves me a little, leveling me with a warning look. “You’re being rude.”
Ash snorts. “Are you even surprised?”
“I’m Ronan,” my brother says, smiling at the spy with stars in his eyes. “Ash and Dillon’s brother, but please don’t hold that against me.”
“Grace.” She smiles back at him, and a snarl builds at the back of my throat. “Nice to meet you.”
I’m not buying this sugary-sweet act. Not for a single second do I think she is being genuine. Reeve Lancaster’s bitch doesn’t randomly show up in Dublin. That girl’s got an agenda, and I need to figure out what it is ASAP. I sharpen my eyes and drill her with a lethal look that usually has grown men shitting their pants. “Why are you here,Grace?” I hiss, trying and failing to rein my hostility in. I’m sure it’s projecting from me in waves, but I don’t care. Let her see I’m onto her.
She thrusts her shoulders out, brazenly staring me in the eyes, and I’ll give her some credit for that. “Ash invited me.” Her husky voice is confident and alluring, and it’s doing strange things to my insides.
It only makes me hate her more.
“In Ireland,” I add in a clipped tone. Bitch knows what I mean, and if she wants to play this game, I’m more than up for the challenge.
Her brow puckers. “What does it matter why I’m here?”
“Just answer the question,” I snap, my eyes briefly flickering around the space, wondering if her jerk of a boyfriend is here too. Then I remember he’s promoting his new movie in the US, and it’s most likely she is here alone.
She squares up to me, narrowing her eyes. “I don’t owe you any explanation, and is this how you always treat new people you meet?”
“I’m suspicious of anyone who comes into my sister’s life.” I lean down, putting my face all up in hers, trying to ignore how utterly exquisite she is up close. “Especially nosy Americans.” If that doesn’t make it clear, I don’t know what will.
“Wow. Generalize much?” She crosses her arms over her gorgeous rack and glowers at me like I’m the devil.
Close, sweetheart. Real close.
“You’re pissing me off now, Dil.” Ash’s nails bite into my arm as she yanks me away from her friend.
“Fact.” Ro nods.
“What’s going on?” Aoife asks.
I wondered how long it would take her to interject herself into the conversation. I knew her anger at me for disappearing with a girl who wasn’t her wouldn’t last long. “Nothing.” My jaw is tense as I circle my arm around Aoife’s shoulders before dropping into the empty seat bedside Jamie and situating her on my lap.
Aoife babbles shit in my ear as she feels me up, but I’m not paying her any attention. My gaze is laser-focused on the American spy. I tune my surroundings out as I try to figure out why she is here. Ash evidently doesn’t know her true identity. Rage spikes in my blood. How fucking dare she try to pull the wool over my sister’s eyes? What the fuck has Ash ever done to her?
I snap out of my angry haze as Vivien removes her coat and scarf, exposing a revealing outfit. My dick hardens as my gaze roams over the figure-hugging jeans that showcase her slim legs and shapely arse to perfection. She’s wearing a sheer black lace top that exposes her bra and a sliver of tantalizing tanned skin.
