Page 248 of Vexatious Queen

I nodded. “That’s what the text said.”

The elevator hadn’t moved yet.

“She said they were coming down and that her mother wants to meet all of us.”

“Nothing else?” Theo lifted an eyebrow.

“No, want to see the text,” I asked, annoyed.

“I still can’t believe that’s how her mother found out that the two of you are married,” Liam said.

“Ah, don’t forget she just learned about all of you as well,” I said.

“Shite,” Myles added.

“Shit is right. I thought Edmundo was scary, but Yuliana is a whole other level,” I said, and Liam smirked. “Don’t fucking smirk at me. She didn’t almost pull a knife on you and offered to slit your throat.”

“I just hope they find a way to make up. It would be sad if they didn’t,” Blake said, his voice soft as he scribbled in his notepad.

The mechanical hum of the elevator started up, and I straightened. I couldn’t help but worry about what state they would be in when the doors opened. The text from Ren didn’t sound urgent, but I still prepared myself for the worst.

Instead, they stepped out smiling and chatting. All the other guys gathered around as Ren introduced them, but I hung back.

My father had a way of turning people, making them do things they never would’ve thought possible. With the way things were when I left the room, I really didn’t want a repeat of what happened.

Yuliana smiled and shook their hands. Myles, being Myles, pulled her into a hug, rocking a very shocked Yuliana from side to side. Only he could get away with that.

Ren truly got her beauty from her mother. Standing next to one another, Yuliana seemed more like an older sister. My mouth curved up as Ren laughed at something Theo said, and her mother put an arm around her shoulders. Yuliana spoke to Blake and then hugged him. From the expression on his face, it must have been about Ella.

Everyone looked…happy.

Princess caught my eye, and I winked. I’d killed my mother and would’ve killed my father, so I wasn’t exactly the best one to advise on this topic. But the way I saw it, if Ren and Yuliana couldn’t find happiness again, then there was never any hope for the rest of us.

Stepping back, I turned to walk away and give them their space. I understood that the anger was transferred, and normally I wouldn’t give two flying fucks, but this was Ren’s mother. She would come around on her feelings toward me in her time. Pushing myself on them and this moment seemed like a Lawrence thing to do, and I never wanted to be him.

“Nash.”

Shit. I froze and cringed.

I would’ve preferred to face an entire firing squad than Yuliana. I slowly turned around. There was nothing worse than staring into the eyes of those my father hurt. They all wore the same expression. They all expected me to be the same, but this one…was the hardest.

All eyes were on me. My guys looked caught between wanting to jump in and protect me and staying the hell out of it. I didn’t blame them. I felt just as confused. Liam cocked his brow. It was subtle, but I knew what he wanted to know, and I shook my head no.

Yuliana’s face was no longer sweet like it had been with them, her voice serious, but at least she didn’t look murderous. And bonus, she wasn’t reaching for her knife.

“Are you leaving?”

I hooked a thumb toward the cafeteria. “Just giving you all some space. I thought I might round up some coffees.”

She walked toward me, and I counted the strides it would take to make it to Dean Henry’s office before the knife sank into my back. I’d probably still live.

I stood quietly and aimed for passive as she looked me over.

“Other than your eyes, you don’t really look like your father.”

I snorted. “That’s the sweetest compliment you could ever give me.”

The corner of her lip twitched.