Heirly Ever After - Vernon, Magan (pdf ebook reader .txt) 📗

my teeth, words escaping me at the moment as I charged forward, sword at the ready. I wasn’t about to kill my cousin, especially in the middle of his own gym. But my adrenaline took over. A tight blow to the back of the knee with the butt of my handle would at least knock him to the floor.

But just as I had armed my stance, Gavin raised his sword, switching so he was on my left side and out of my range. His body stopped with formidable force, the cold metal of his sword against my cheek. One move and there would be a trickle of blood. Another, and he’d have a clear kill shot.

“Drop. Your. Weapon,” he commanded.

My breath came out in shallow puffs as I held steady, gripping the handle.

“Jacob,” he bellowed.

I could have tried for another move. Could have blocked him. Could have done anything.

Gripping onto the handle, a million thoughts rang through my mind, trying to clear the haze of my thoughts.

“I’m not going to hurt you, especially not when my future sister-in-law obviously cares for you,” Gavin said.

At his words, my sword fell from my grip, clanging to the floor. I felt like a heavy boulder was weighing on my chest.

“She doesn’t. I’m only her date for the week,” I grumbled, keeping her secrets close to my heart.

He shook his head slightly. “You and I both know that’s not true. You like her. She likes you.”

“Leave her out of this,” I spat.

“Both sisters are already in this, and the more you push, the more both are going to get hurt. You may have your family’s honor, but do you want to see these women suffer? Do you want Madison never to look at you the same way again?” His words were icy steel that chilled me to the bone.

There was no right response to that.

I could have lied and said I didn’t give a damn what either of the women thought, but even as the words tried to form on my tongue, they were wrong.

“They won’t get hurt in all of this. I promise,” I said, meeting his cold stare.

He held my gaze as if he was assessing for the truth.

Neither one of us moved as if we were in another duel. What could either one of us throw out at this point, though? He’d already offered money, and though that would help my family tremendously, it was also pride at this point.

What would really help my family’s legacy?

“Gavin, did you leave the bedroom so early to come play with swords? Really?”

My cousin’s shoulders softened as he glanced over his shoulder toward the doorway where the soft voice had echoed from. He took a step back, dropping the blade to his side. Natalie walked toward us in a long nightgown, her red hair cascading down her shoulders.

“Jacob.” She nodded, but her words were quipped as her gaze went back to Gavin’s, as if he was going to spill out our entire conversation. By the way he smiled at her, the first time I’d seen a genuine expression from the man, I thought he might.

“Sorry, love. I couldn’t sleep anymore and was coming to the gym, only to find Jacob here admiring the sword collection and thought we’d have a friendly little duel.”

I wouldn’t exactly have called it friendly.

Her eyes widened as she looked down at his pants, the rip noticeable against the blue fabric. “Are you bleeding? Are you okay?” She leaned over, grabbing the material, inspecting the open seam.

“I’m fine. Are you good, Jacob?” His head lifted, that stony expression back on his face as he stared at me.

No.

Not in the least.

I was now more wound up than when I’d come in.

“Grand.”

Natalie stood up, looking between the two of us. “Both of you could probably use a shower before everyone else gets up. Next time you decide to get out the swords, maybe get out the rest of your fencing equipment. Or at least battle in the daytime. Perfect activity for your stag.”

Gavin rolled his eyes. “Still on the stag idea?”

She smiled, putting her arm around his middle, pulling him close so she melted into his side. His entire body seemed to fold into hers as well, as if they belonged exactly together.

That wince of guilt peeled at my gut again, knowing that I could be the one to ruin this for Natalie…and her sister.

“Hugh will be in later today, and I’m sure he’ll back me up on the idea, and if Jacob really does like sword play, I’m sure he’d love fox hunting,” she said.

Just what I needed, to be with more of the Webleys in the forest with weapons.

“You know, I think I will head back to the room and let you two continue your discussion,” I said, placing my weapon back on the rack.

“Aw, you’re not going to back me up?” Natalie called playfully.

“Not today.”

If only she knew how much truth was behind that. But I couldn’t linger anymore in the gym. I had to get out of there. Chase away the adrenaline still surging through me.

I was heading to the bedroom, but I couldn’t just sit there and wait for something to happen. Instead, I went back to the library.

Turning on a small light on the large oak desk, I glanced down at the stacks of papers now askew from the earlier romp. Running my fingers along the parchment, I steadied my breathing, trying to remember why I was here, trying to forget what had happened not long ago on that very desk and what more could have, if I hadn’t stopped it.

I sat at the large leather wingback chair and tried to shake the memory out of my head as I pulled my phone out of my pocket and set it on the table. There were at least a dozen missed messages.

Sliding the screen unlocked, I opened the app.

Blair: Could you have gotten a clearer shot of this?

Blair: This handwriting is atrocious. What are they teaching people in