Page 62 of Just Between Us
“Wouldn’t Tilly Burton be perfect for him, Levi?” Raina says over me, gazing at her son, but Levi only glares back. Cole on the other hand looks like he’s enjoying this a lot.
“Please let’s stop harassing the poor boy, darling,” Oliver says, giving me a conspiratorial wink.
Raina rolls her eyes. “Fine but do let me know if you’d like to meet Tilly, Kai. I’ll organise lunch for the three of us.”
I can’t help my smile. “I’ll keep that in mind, thank you.”
Raina is nothing like I thought she’d be. As one of the most powerful lawyers in the country, I half expected her to be stoic, maybe even unfriendly but she’s all smiles and I feel myself relax a little under the bright lights.
She moves her attention away from me and to Levi and Cole. “By the way, your father and I will be at the house in Tuscany for the upcoming holidays. Would you like to join us?”
My ears ring. Raina says it so casually and I wonder what that must be like. Growing up, we never starved, and we had what we needed. Mum made it work but it’s undeniable that Cole and Levi have led an existence that is completely different to my own.
Houses in Tuscany are a far cry from dingy council flats and raging stepfathers. Their world is so far from my own and I feel like I’m in a play and soon the curtain will close on me.
By the time I focus back on the conversation, Raina and Oliver are saying goodbye.
“Sorry about that,” Levi says as soon as they are out of earshot. “My mother can be a lot.”
“She’s nice,” I assure him.
“And anyway, you wouldn’t have much time for Tilly Burton if we’re too busy filling you with our come every other night, would you?” Cole says, holding the small of my back, just loud enough for only Levi and I to hear.
I let out a strangled cough as Levi smirks, pulling up a chair for me to sit.
I excuse myself halfway through a conversation that somehow involves politics and skiing and make my way down a hallway for some air. Before I can make it far down the long hallway, I hear someone clear their throat behind me. When I turn, Adam is standing there with his hands in his pockets.
“Kai,” he says. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Adam is handsome in the same way a lot of people here are. Private boarding school, expensive accent, and skiing holidays. Despite that, it is nice to see a familiar face.
“Trust me, me neither but it’s great to see you.”
He leans in, voice low, a smile dancing on his lips. “You know we never got the chance to grab that drink.”
I laugh quietly, thinking how different things are from the first time I met him at Anant’s party. Now, I’m at a charity gala with Levi and Cole. Now, I don’t want to have a drink with him. I want something else even though I shouldn’t.
“Right,” I say. “But I’m sure we can find a drink around here somewhere. It would still count, right?”
Adam shakes his head. “Ah, but on second thought, I don’t think Levi or Cole would be very happy with me if I did that.”
My jaw loosens. “What?”
He shrugs a shoulder. “I just mean it’s pretty obvious you’re sleeping with them.”
My stomach clenches and he still smiles, like he can read every thought on my face. I open my mouth to deny it, “I’m not sure—”
“Look, Kai, you seem like a decent guy, so I’ll give you a fair warning,” he says. “You should get out of that fast.”
My scalp prickles but I lift my chin though, trying my best to look unbothered. “Why?”
“Why else would someone like you be here?” he shoots back. “If it’s not because you’re a fun little plaything for them?”
Someone like you.
I swallow. “I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about, Adam.”
He laughs quietly. “Don’t worry, Kai, I get it. I bet Levi pulled you in and made you feel all special and important. He has a wonderful way of doing that. Ask around, he’s done it plenty of times, but in the end, he will discard you because that’s who he is. And because Cole is obsessed with him, he will discard you too. In fact, I’m sure he’s dying to do so now.”