Ruthless King

“I need to get in the bath before it gets cold.”

She attempted to stand, but he pushed her back down. “Stay sitting. I’ll carry you to the bath.”

Jilly sighed. “Regent, it’s kind of you to want to look after me. But you don’t owe Mama anything, and you definitely don’t owe me anything. I don’t know what brought on the Florence Nightingale routine, but I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time now. I’m fine. And your guilt or feelings of responsibility aren’t necessary. Now, I’m gonna go have a bath, and not that I don’t appreciate your help, but you should really think about leaving.”

Without a word, he watched her stand. She didn’t sway, but he still kept a close eye on her as she made her way to the bathroom.

“Be careful getting in and out of the bath,” he ordered.

The door closed with a snick.

Irritated, but unsure if that feeling was aimed toward her or himself, he headed downstairs with the tray of food.

Gerald was looking through the cupboards and fridge. He turned, taking the tray from him. Victor was sitting at the kitchen table, sipping a cup of coffee.

“She liked the soup?” Gerald asked.

“Yes. She said to tell you it was delicious. Vic, what are you doing here?”

“I came to see my brother.”

As soon as Regent sat across the table, Gerald set a cup of coffee in front of him.

“Don’t you have better things to do?” Regent grumbled at his brother, tired of people questioning him. “You’re meant to be moving house right now.”

“The movers did most of it. And Gracen told me to leave her to it for a while. Apparently, I get in the way.”

Yeah, right.

Sometimes, he wondered if his father hadn’t been right to rule with an iron fist. No one had ever dared question him.

“Anyway, don’t you have better things to do?” Victor challenged.

“If I did, then I would be doing them. But I delegated—to you. And instead, you’re here. So why don’t you go help Gracen?”

To his shock, Victor flashed him a quick grin. This wasn’t like his brother at all. Victor was the one he relied on the most. The one who did whatever he asked.

But since meeting Gracen, the stoic bastard had gone and changed on him.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Because Jardin and Maxim owe me a hundred bucks. They said you were here because you obviously had some agenda. Something you wanted from Jilly. But you’re doing it because you care about her.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Anne asked me to check on her, so I did.”

“She didn’t ask you to act as her nursemaid, though.” Victor stood and rinsed his cup. “Thanks for the coffee, Gerald. Got to get back to Gracen. Seriously, though. You should move her tothe house. It isn’t safe here. I’ve got guys stationed outside, but the neighbors are starting to give them strange looks.”

He wasn’t saying anything that Regent hadn’t thought about. But he just nodded sharply.

Victor left and Gerald poured him another coffee.

“Can you make us some dinner before you leave, Gerald?”

“I can stay. Especially if you need to go elsewhere.”

Regent instantly wanted to refuse, but perhaps it wasn’t a stupid idea. He did have some things to take care of.

“Perhaps you could stay a few hours while I handle some things.”