“Hello, brother,” he said.
CHAPTER 28
ARDEN
Arden did the most ridiculous thing.
He smiled.
Of course he smiled. He’d spent his whole life loving his big brother, and for a second, Arden saw Lassit’s familiar face, and he was happy.
For a second.
Then he remembered that Lassit had intended for Arden to go through what he’d gone through with Beckett, only with someone who was paying for the privilege. Someone who Arden didn’t know.
Who he hadn’t chosen.
Lifting his chin, Arden set the books he was holding on the shelf beside him, and turned to face Lassit fully. “Hello,” he said. “What are you doing here?”
Lassit shrugged and stepped away from the door. “I was in the area. I?—”
The door popped open and the butler and two footmen fell through.
Lassit raised a haughty brow as Stanton shoved past him, rushing over to Arden.
To Arden’s astonishment, the footmen followed, and he was surrounded.
“Arden,” Lassit said in an exasperated drawl. “Do tell your lackeys that I am your brother, and you are perfectly safe with me.”
Arden hesitated.
“Arden,” Lassit said with a hint of warning in his voice.
“It’s all right, Stanton,” Arden said. “This is my brother. I am perfectly safe.”
Because he wasn’t Lassit’s to dispose of anymore. He was Jack’s husband.
He was Beckett’s omega.
“Good boy,” Lassit said.
One of the big beta footmen, Grillon, bristled, his burly shoulders bunching as he shifted his weight. Other than that, none of the servants moved.
“Well?” Lassit said, his brows still high and haughty. “Aren’t you going to offer me some refreshment after coming all this way to see you?”
“Of course,” Arden said, refraining from pointing out that Lassit had said he was in the area. He turned to Stanton. “Would you be so kind as to bring us some tea?”
Stanton held his gaze.
“He really is my brother,” Arden said.
“In that case, I apologise, Your Grace. As far as I knew, he was a mannerless overdressed lout needing to be put in his place.”
Arden bit his lip to keep from smiling. “Well. Um. Tea? If you would?”
Stanton continued to hold his gaze. “I don’t believe His Grace would be all too keen on that, Your Grace.”
“I’m sure he wouldn’t. Still. I’d like some tea, please.”
