Page 63 of His Prince
“He’s trustworthy, Mikhail. Better than the people currently handling your accounts.”
His nose twitches and he purses his lips slightly. “I trust my accountants.”
“Do you though? Because it seems to me they’re robbing you blind.”
He doesn’t like that comment. Not at all.
“I can handle it.”
“Don’t think you can,” Andrew interjects. “I’ve known Angelo a long-ass time and if he says you need help, you need help.”
“He’ll come around,” I say, feeling suddenly unsure. I honestly don’t know if he will. He may resist until the end of time. “Just give me the night to convince him,” I add, and Andrew nods, shoving more cheese into his mouth. I’ve lost Bane completely, but I notice a bracelet on Andrew’s wrist and sigh.
“Did he make you one of those?” I ask when I see the teeth lining his wrist.
Andrew nods. “Gave it to me when he popped out of the suitcase.”
“He sent me one too. Such a nice wedding gift. I’ve never gotten a body part gift before.”
Mikhail side-eyes me. “I can arrange another if you’d like.” Our gazes clash, and I feel my cheeks pinken. I don’t know why he has this effect on me. “It doesn’t change the fact that I’m not using his help. He can go back home.”
“They’re staying here tonight, actually,” I reply just as George approaches, brushing something off his sleeve.
“Your pet is…snooping,” he says to no one in particular and then disappears out the front door, leaving Andrew to huff around a mouthful of salami and pickles.
“He’s not my pet, just a little extra baggage I wasn’t expecting.”
Mikhail leaves the room for a moment and returns with Bane, his hand on the back of his neck, Bane’s eyes twinkling.
“He’s not allowed in the house without supervision,” Mikhail bites out and then shoves Bane toward Andrew. “You look after him.”
“I don’t take responsibility for him.”
“I’m a free spirit, Mikhail. I do what I want,” Bane says with a laugh and then waggles his eyebrows at me. “I found a secret passageway.”
My own eyes light up, wanting to see which one he found, but Mikhail stops me, pulling me to his side.
“He’s lying. There’s only one and it’s not out here.”
“Nope!” Bane shouts, but Mikhail leans down and whispers in my ear. “Another time.” I feel that deep voice burrow into me, goosebumps cascading across my skin.
“I’ll have you know that when you’re not looking, I’ll have Bane show me what he’s found.”
“Another time,” he repeats, and I decide to let it go. For now.
I still need to figure out how to convince Mikhail to let Andrew look at the books.
And then figure out why I even care.
“You finally made it back toourroom,” Mikhail grumps from the bed, his eyes following me as I shut the door. A yawn escapes me, my jaw cracking slightly, and his glower deepens. “Do I bore you?”
“Yeah, you do. And stop being such a grump. I was just catching up with Bane and Andrew.” I’m so fucking happy they’re here, nothing can dampen my spirits. I’ve missed my home, my friends. And even if these visitors aren’t my dad or Tatum, I’m glad a part of them are here.
“Andrew. Your accountant. I do not trust him. He looks at you far too long,” Mikhail says after a moment, and I roll my eyes, pulling my sweater off and tossing it in the hamper.
“You jealous, husband? Because you’re so old. What are you? Forty?”
“I’m not old. I’m forty-two.”