“No, you haven’t. You’re too egotistical to thank others or even see merits in them.”
“The only people whose merits I refuse to honor with even a glance are incompetent fools. Glyn doesn’t belong on that endless list.”
“Because she shares your genes?”
“Precisely.” I snatch an off-white shirt. “And she’s also never been daft. Just a bit too hung up on emotions for my taste, but oh well, as you constantly remind me, not everyone is built from the same genius clay you and I are made of.”
“You…think you and I are the same?”
“We’re identical twins, Bran.”
“Not in thinking.”
“Not one hundred percent, no.” I put on my shirt and start to button it as I look at him with a tilted head. “But you’re suppressing something, and as long as you’re doing that, we’re not too far off in hiding our secrets, are we?”
A somber look passes in his eyes, and if I weren’t in such a hurry, I’d explore it with more vigor. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You never do, Bran.” I grab his shoulder and squeeze on my way out. “You never do.”
He catches my arm. “Where are you going?”
“Don’t worry. I’m not off to instigate a new war unless chess counts.”
“You’re really just going to play chess?”
“I know, right? I’ve become too boring for my own good.”
He gives me a quizzical glance, but he lets me go. “Remember, Lan. If you fall back into your manipulation and chaos patterns, it won’t work.”
“Yes, Mum.” I do a mock salute and I’m rewarded with Bran’s snickering.
On my way out of the mansion, I shoot my cousin Eli a text.
Landon: Remember the exchange of favors we once talked about?
Eli: Ready to go down like a little bitch?
Landon: Only if you turn into a smaller bitch than my highness.
Eli: Your arrogance will get you killed one day.
Landon: Not when your arrogance is alive and thriving. Now, as much as I love talking shit, I need something.
Eli: The question is, do you need it enough to lose your bargaining chip?
Landon: Yes.
Eli: Prepare to lose the race as the best King grandchild.
I ignore him. Eli thinks that I have only one bargaining chip, but he’ll learn, after I get what I want, that there’s no pushing Landon King to the side, not even by the hands of another King.
After sending him instructions about the possible proof that can make my theory a reality, I drive to the chess club.
Now, I don’t expect Mia to show up after she specifically asked me not to pester her, but it doesn’t hurt to try.
Yes. Unfortunately, I’ve become so irrevocably obsessed with the little muse that I’m surviving on the mere hope of being able to see her.
Desperate much? Abso-fucking-lutely.
I park my McLaren opposite the entrance and step out, only to be greeted by the most miserable weather England has to offer. The wind slaps me across the face, and I close my eyes to ward off the assault. When I open them, I see none other than Mia getting out of her car.
My lips pull in a wide smile.
Despite her occasional reluctance, she can’t get enough of me either, and her face lights up whenever we meet. Which is why I had a hunch she would be here…
As she approaches me, her black tulle dress swishes, and her ribbons fly in the wind. She comes to a slow halt in front of me, her eyes entirely fucking wrong.
I cross my arms even as I keep my smile in place—only, it’s much more fake now. “I thought we weren’t supposed to meet since you’re apparently scared shitless of everyone in your family finding out about us. Changed your mind?”
“This is my club, too, last I checked,” she signs and lifts her chin.
“Which you knew I’d be coming to. Does that mean you miss me?”
“In your dreams.”
“I’ll take that as you don’t mind Nikolai and the others finding out about our very secret, very intimate rendezvous.”
Her cheeks heat and rage blares in her eyes that are more wrong than vanilla sex.
“It doesn’t matter, because I’m getting bored and could send you packing any second. In fact, I’m doing it right now.”
“I’m disappointed.” I release a dramatic sigh. “You put all this effort into pretending to be someone else, so the least you can do is be more subtle about it, Maya.”
She flinches, but instead of trying to go on with the charade, she clicks her tongue and says, “What gave me away? Not too many ribbons? Not quick enough sign language?”