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Maybe her crush on him isn’t so bad. I like making her squirm.

“But Violet knows Dean. She fucking loooves Dean,” she says, smirking at me. Pushing my buttons. “I don’t even know this Alec guy.” Guardianships aren’t typically considered a romantic deal. But I know if I died, that’s a possibility for Violet and Dean.

“Alec from the barracks?” Violet’s soft voice takes some of the edge off Pru, her shoulders resting.

“Yes,” Cal answers.

“Alec is great; I work closely with him for the clinic and infirmary security. You’d like him.” Violet places her hand over Pru’s shoulder.

“Do I not have any friends here today?” Pru throws her hand about, waving us off.

“Alright, my Butterfly, before you flutter away again,” Cal says, wrapping his arms around Pru as she tries to make an exit. “We’re going to have lunch with him today. Let’s go to the studio for a couple of hours before we head out.” She purses her lips, then nods her head from side to side like she’s thinking it over.

“I still love you, traitors!” She shouts out, blowing kisses over her shoulder as they walk out the door.

“We should get going.” I walk around the counter, take Violet’s hand in mine, and we head for the manor.

Giggling. Giggling and a crash.

Not the typical silence or raging anger that usually permeates from his office door.

Caius, my brother, our father’s golden child. We were close, once, when we were little. When Caius became a teenager, something changed. He’s always been Alistair’s favorite, but he’s overlooked him as his successor, and Caius hates me for that. I’m not too happy about the situation myself.

He and Cal get on just fine, but we avoid each other at all costs. I can’t even think of the last time we had a full conversation with one another.

“We should come back later.” Violet tugs at my arm, nodding down the hallway.

“No, we need to get this done. If he doesn’t want to be interrupted, he shouldn’t be bringing his flings to the office.” I give three loud knocks at the door, waiting a moment to protect Violet from having to see anything. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t mind pushing his buttons and embarrassing him by just waltzing in.

I go for the handle, and it opens. I smirk; this isn’t a fling at all.

Lu, Pru’s sister and my co-worker at the bar, stands there, her cheeks completely flushed. They’ve been married for seven years but have been living separate lives that entire time.

It’s an arranged marriage. But no matter how mean he is to her and tries to fool himself, Lu has always been his girl.

“Well, well, Lucy Lu. Picking up an extra shift? Orrr…”

“Behave yourself,” she scolds as she gently pushes my arm. “Hi, love.” She leans forward and kisses Violet on the cheek. Lucy fills her schedule with a variety of volunteering and community service projects. She and Violet started getting close when Lucy volunteered to help organize blood drives at the clinic.

“Lucy, come back and have a seat.” She runs her fingers through her deep, auburn red hair, then turns and follows his direction.

We follow and close the door behind us. Caius sits at his dark mahogany desk, looking exactly like a guy who doesn’t belong in an office. Like Cal, Caius is shorter and broader than I am; thick muscles fill out his entire body. Lu is as petite as Pru and looks like a bird next to him.

Caius’ brow raises when he sees me, and he leans back in his chair. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“We’re here to get a few things situated.” I pull out a chair for Violet, then take the one opposite Caius. “Dean Jobinsky was applying for a marriage license to Violet. This was… More of an arrangement, a placeholder until I was able to do that myself. I’m here to fill out the license, a change of address form for both of us, and a guardianship will.”

“Uhh… That’s not going to work.” His brow pinches together.

“Excuse me?”

“ A few days ago, Alistair sent a completed marriage license, stamped by his own hand. The Jobinsky application has been denied. Violet is now legally married to Lord Marcus Lazeroff.”

Heat rises in my chest. I glance at Violet; she’s frozen, her fingers clutching the arms of her chair.

“H-How could that happen?” Her voice breaks barely above a whisper. “How could that happen if I wasn’t involved at any point?”

Caius swallows, then sighs, glancing at Lu for a beat, “You're not needed in the process. It’s exactly what I did to Lucy.” He turns to Violet, “I’m certain the Lazeroffs will be here to gather you within the week.”