“It’s not.” I take a sip of my water. “It’s also because I have to spend it with my shit-stirring sister and my blackmailing half-sister.”
“Mm-hmm. And what about her lovely guardian…” She takes a sip of water, her eyes dancing with mischief. “Whom you’ve seen naked.”
I shake my head. “I never should have told you.”
She tilted her head from side to side. “But you did. And the next three months are going to be—”
“A nightmare,” I finish.
“For you, maybe.” Her smile widens. “I’m going to enjoy every second.”
Footsteps echo in the hallway. My spine stiffens.
Ivy appears in the doorway first, and I suck in a breath. Images from that night on the train flash unbidden—her head thrown back against the pillow, her demands a breathless whisper on her lips as my hands explored every inch of her. The way the narrow bunk had forced us closer, skin against skin in the darkness as the train rocked beneath us.
It doesn’t help that she’s hot as hell in a simple black dress that hugs her curves in all the right places. Her hair is down now, falling past her shoulders. My fingers twitch, remembering how they threaded through her thick locks, and how she gasped when I tugged just hard enough to—
Stop.
I shift my focus to Madison, who’s trailed in behind her. She looks young and uncertain in jeans and an oversized sweater. I’m willing to bet it’s all an act to garner sympathy.
“Madison, Ivy,” I say without inflection, my poker face working for me. “About time.”
“Seven o'clock dinner.” Ivy checks a slim gold watch. “Seven-oh-ten arrival. Seems like perfect timing to me. Though I suppose when you're used to everyone jumping at your command, ten minutes must feel like an eternity.”
“Ivy, sit here, next to Thorne. Madison, you’re across from me.” Lillianna’s smile is pure evil. “We should get to know each other better, don’t you think?”
I shoot her a look that promises retribution. She ignores it.
The dining room feels smaller than it should. Which is absurd, considering it could seat twenty. I’ve faced down hostile corporate boards. Stared down casino pit bosses when they thought I was counting cards. Negotiated billion-dollar acquisitions without breaking a sweat.
None of it prepared me for having Ivy West at my dinner table.
Patricia appears with a silver tray balanced in one hand, followed by another staff member with the first course. “Evening, Mr. Blackstone. Ladies.” She moves efficiently, setting down crystal tumblers in front of everyone but Madison. The amber liquid catches the light, beckoning me. “The Blackstone Reserve, aged fifteen years, Mr. Blackstone's favorite.”
My mouth goes dry as she places the bottle directly in front of me. The label bearing our family crest stares up at me. One drink with dinner. That’s my rule for the last three years. A simple exercise in self-discipline.
“Will there be anything else? A different preference?” Patricia asks.
“The bottle won’t be staying at the table,” I say, my voice even.
Patricia’s eyes widen. “Oh! I apologize, Mr. Blackstone. I forgot your... preference.” A flush creeps up her neck as she quickly retrieves the bottle, tucking it under her arm. “It won’t happen again.”
“It’s fine,” I say dismissively. Just a matter of boundaries, not weakness. I can handle my bourbon, I just choose when and how much.
Patricia nods once and retreats, leaving an awkward silence in her wake.
I lift my glass. “To family dinners,” I say dryly. “May we all survive them.”
Lillianna raises an eyebrow but says nothing, which is a surprise. Ivy’s watching me too closely. I take a measured sip, letting the familiar burn distract me from the way her eyes see too much. She can analyze all she wants. This is just good sense, not a problem.
“So, Thorne,” Ivy says pleasantly, “Evander is a family name?”
Lillianna's glass pauses halfway to her mouth. Her eyes light with mischief.
"Middle name," I reply evenly.
"Mm. Interesting choice, using your middle name with strangers." Her smile is sharp. "Most people lead with their first."
