Page 31 of The Betrothal

Ben smiled, Alex scowled.

“Thanks, Killer.” Seb beamed back at the men. “The two most inhospitable brothers I ever had the misfortune of meeting. Alex, be a lamb and storm that glowing mood back outside to grab my bags from the bike.”

Alex spun on his heels and stormed back outside, the sound of an engine starting up confirming he was doing as bid by Seb. Interesting.

“Sorry. Izzy?” Ben’s apology had his features furrowing.

“Izzy is fine.” I found myself needing to soothe him, not wanting to have caused him more discomfort than my presence seemed to have already.

“Good lad.” Seb released me and rounded on Ben drawing him into his side. The two were similar in height and build, but Ben almost eased inside Seb’s hold, shrinking slightly.

“How are you doing?” Seb’s voice lowered and I immediately felt I was intruding on a private conversation.

I expected Ben to hesitate in his reply, but he didn’t even blink. “Fine, Seb.”

“Routine?”

“Consistent.”

“Exercise?”

Ben frowned.

“Being active in the shed counts.”

Ben’s frown eased. “Good then.”

“Diet?”

“Good, Seb.” Ben finally seemed to be finding discomfort under Seb’s scrutiny.

“Yep, nearly done. Sleep,” he pressed.

Ben’s lips thinned and he dipped his head.

Seb instantly softened, voice gentle. “That’s three out of four, sounds good to me.”

Ben was worrying his fingertips when the door slammed back open and I almost missed the strong squeeze Seb gave Ben before releasing him.

Alex, who carried two large cases, kicked the door closed behind him.

“A check-in, Seb! With two suitcases?” The outrage was more than evident and a tiny snort escaped me earning me a glare.

“The second one is sustenance.”

Alex glared harder.

“And booze?” Seb offered.

Alex’s glower slipped and he sighed, placing one case on the floor and shoving it across the stone where Seb intercepted it.

Seb looked back between Ben and me, glowing with victory.

“So, tell me, Killer. You’ve taken up residence in my room?”

“The guest room,” Ben corrected.

Sebastian continued regardless. “Then am I to bunk in my room with you, or…” He looked at Ben, cocking a brow. “Do you want me, Benji?”