Page 40

“Larissa.” I spun around and almost gasped for breath, while Adrian raised his eyebrows, unimpressed. “Still at the punching bag.”

We were often down here at the same time, but he was usually at the other end of the hall. This time, however, he was standing six feet in front of me, as if he had been there all day, just waiting for the right moment to spook me.

He was wearing a skin-tight black T-shirt, and I had to fight hard not to stare at his athletic, muscular upper body or his broad shoulders.

“Adrian,” I sighed, wondering why he was even talking to me. He probably had something to complain about. Something that didn’t please him.

“You should follow your father’s advice and train something else.” I didn’t look at him, instead hitting the bag even harder. “However, I doubt that will get you very far.”

Arrogant jerk.

Anger rose within me. Another punch followed.

I could feel that he was still standing there...

“Leave me alone!” I hissed, narrowing my eyes and continuing to hit the bag.

“First of all, I’d gladly train on my own, but your loud groaning every time you hit the punching bag bothers me.”

If only he knew who I was thinking of when my fist hit the bag...

“And secondly, Bastien sent me to get you.”

The next punch wasn't as hard as intended because I was distracted by his words.

“Oh,” I forced out while raising my eyebrows, imagining his face on the taut black leather of the punching bag. “He did?”

“Yes.”

There was no way I was going to let him boss me around. Bastien should come himself and...

Adrian cleared his throat and I spun around.

“Now.”

“I'd never thought I'd show up somewhere earlier than the honorable gentleman,” Miles laughed.

“Shut up, Miles. I'm not in the mood,” Adrian grumbled so darkly that even Death himself would have looked like a princess beside him as we crossed the entrance hall on our way to my brother and David.

When was this killjoy ever in the mood for anything?

Miles bowed playfully to Adrian. “I'm sorry, Your Majesty.”

Adrian stared at Miles with a look that could kill. At least he tried to, because his opposite just grinned and stepped beside me.

“Please tell me I didn't interrupt my training for some unimportant bullshit,” I whispered, annoyed, earning Adrian's emotionless stare.

Would he ever accept me as part of this clan? And more importantly: Would I ever be able to see these people as family?

“You're not the only one who prefers training over formal occasions. I just had combat training with Laurent,” David said with his usual calmness. “But our guests are arriving today.”

Did I need to know what was going on?

Miles seemed to notice my confusion because he patted me on the shoulder.

“Come outside, join the others.”

I followed the three of them, and indeed, standing on the stone steps were Bastien, Camille, Laurent next to her, and... Tristan.