Page 26 of Sebastian's Secret

“Right.” Sebastian smiled. “When did you get so smart?”

“I grew up, Seb.” Cole rolled his eyes. “It’s just none of you ever notice.”

“Yeah.” A pang of guilt reverberated in Sebastian’s chest. It hadn’t been that long since their father had died, but he’d never given much thought to how it had affected his brothers, especially the younger ones. “Well, I’ve noticed now.”

“Better late than never.” Cole smirked. “So, are you gonna tell me about her?”

“I…” Sebastian’s answer trailed away. “It’s early days, Cole.”

“But she obviously means something to you,” his brother countered. “To have impacted you so much.”

Shit, Cole was spot on again.

“She has the potential to mean a lot,” he admitted. It was the first time Sebastian had really cemented his thoughts and saying them out loud was powerful.

She had the potential. Rebecca had so much potential. She could be the one who helped him work through his resentments, the one who splashed color into his life.

“Wow.” Cole chuckled.

“What?”

“It’s just.” He smiled. “I’ve never seen you like this before. My big brother has it bad.”

Sebastian didn’t argue the point. There seemed little sense. Rebecca had been on his mind constantly since they’d met—even when he thought he’d never see her again—and bumping into her today had only reinforced the feeling. He couldn’t rid his belly of the giddy anticipation stirring there; excitement of when he’d next be with her.

“I like her.”

There, he had said it. It felt good to tell someone. Despite his age Cole was often the least judgmental of his brothers and a good friend. He was a natural confidant.

“I can tell.” Cole rose from his chair and wandered to the lodge’s glass frontage. “And I don’t begrudge you it, Seb. You deserve to find happiness.”

“Thanks.” Sebastian’s emotions swelled at his brother’s acceptance. “Just so we’re on the same page though, Cole, I’d appreciate it if you could keep this to yourself for the time being.”

Ironically, Sebastian had been the one who’d suggested to Rebecca that they keep their families away from the budding romance, but Cole had caught him off guard. In the end, Sebastian had wanted to share his joy, had wanted someone he loved to know how he was feeling. The conversation was a relief.

“Fair enough.” Cole turned as Sebastian joined him by the glass doors. “But I think the others will catch on pretty soon. Balthazar, for example, will want to know what this afternoon was all about.”

“I’ll deal with them,” Sebastian promised, shoving his hands into his pockets as he stared into the crisp mountain night.

Somewhere out there was the woman at the center of all his feelings—the redhead who’d turned his safe, sane world upside down. Gazing down at the twinkling lights of the distant city, he pictured her in his mind. Whatever they’d forged from the ashes of this one-night stand, it was real. Sebastian sensed that. He felt it floating out there in the cold air, swirling somewhere between the snow and the stars. Perceptible and strong, the feelings swelling between he and Rebecca were worth fighting for. He refused to let his family’s secrets tear them apart.

Chapter Twelve

Rebecca

“It’s down to you, Oliver.”

Her father’s voice interrupted the message she was composing and glancing up from her phone, Rebecca scowled. It had been a day since she’d dined with Sebastian and as usual, her father and brother were discordant, the bad blood between them giving off an energy that left her feeling stale and tired. She wished they could just get along, but then, each was as guilty as the other. Everyone in the damned family was.

“I need you to take this project on,” her father pressed.

“Why?” Oliver barked from the other side of the huge dining table. “If you want Vaughn’s finance company so badly, why don’t you go after it?”

“We’ve been through this,” Jonas snapped. “Michael Vaughn is dead, and his companies have passed to his sons, who are much more your age. That’s why you need to deal with it.”

“But I don’t want Drakon Finance.” Oliver’s expression hardened. “I’m happy with my super cars and real estate. You deal with it, Dad.”

Jesus, couldn’t one of them just deal with the matter quietly?