Page 45 of My Beastly Duke

What kind of life would she have if she stayed at his side? What was worse, he could not even begin to fathom the scorn that their child would face. The heir of a monster would be labeled for life.

No.

Marina and his child would be far better off living a life that was separate from him.

The carriage came to a stop in front of the silent mansion, bringing Aaron back to the reason why everything had taken such a drastic turn.

Shoving open the carriage door, Aaron jumped out before the footman could even reach him.

“Where is he?” he demanded angrily, pushing past the startled servants who had gone white in the face.

Without waiting for a reply, he stormed up the steps, taking them two at a time before bursting through the front doors.

“Adam! Where the hell are you? Show your face this instant, you coward!” He saw red as he stormed through the house, glaring into empty rooms before reaching the parlor.

Adam jumped to his feet, looking at Aaron with a strange look as the scandal sheet dangled from his hand.

“Bloody bastard!” The bird greeted him with a loud squawk.

“You shut that bloody bird up before I have both of you thrown onto the street!” He yelled angrily, glaring at the bird before rounding on Adam, who suddenly jumped behind an armchair, clutching the back until his knuckles turned white.

“Bloody bastard!” The parrot squawked louder and attacked his dish of food before furiously bobbing his head up and down with his wings splayed.

Adam cleared his throat, speaking in a reasonable tone. “I know it seems like a good idea to shout at the bird, but it will only make matters worse.”

Aaron laughed incredulously, feeling as if he could fling his brother through the open window. “Have you suddenly become a bird whisperer? As if you could understand the stupid creature.”

Adam raised his head high, lifting his chin with an air of pride. “As a matter of fact, I have been spending a great deal of time with the bird. He only seems to pick up on cussing, so I would watch my mouth if I were you.” He sniffed importantly.

“What utter bollocks!” Aaron rolled his eyes, feeling his anger sore at his brother’s audacity.

“Bollocks, shit!” Henry repeated on cue.

“I tried to warn you.” Adam rushed forward and placed an old blanket over the cage, silencing the bird who flapped his wings. “I have been trying to get him to say anything other than the vulgarity that he spews, but the bird has an ear for it.”

“Much like the man protecting him.” Aaron narrowed his eyes, spotting the scandal sheet that was still in his brother’s hand.

Ensuring that the blanket was in place, Adam noted Aaron’s gaze and looked from the sheet to his brother. “Now, I know what thislooks like. Let me just begin by saying that I was as shocked as you must have been.”

Aaron laughed derisively now. “Do you expect me to believe that it was not you when your name is so clearly mentioned?” He advanced on Adam, making his brother sprint to the other side of the room with all of the furniture between them.

“As a matter of fact, I do expect you to believe me. Out of everything that I have done, have I ever publicly ridiculed you? I want to prove I am better than you, how does this meet those ends?” He eyed the door nervously, looking as if he were about to bolt at a moment’s notice.

Aaron’s anger was quickly replaced by disbelief as he looked at his brother. “When will you stop playing these games, Adam? Life is not one big contest that you can win. Have you looked around lately? Father is dead, who are you trying to impress now that he is not here?” He shook his head in disgust.

“You do not understand, Aaron. You never did!” Adam tried to run out of the room but Aaron blocked his path.

“I do not care to understand anymore. Just stay and fight me like a man, you coward!”

“Aaron, stop it. I do not want to fight you.”

“Then tell me! Tell me once and for all. What are you trying to prove? Who are you trying to impress?”

“You!” Adam’s voice was almost childlike as he turned red in the face.

For the second time that evening, Aaron felt as if he had been doused with a bucket of icy water. “What do you mean?”

“It has always been you, Aaron, I never really cared for Father. He was an utter bastard! Why would I want to impress him?”