Thorn Between Brothers

Prologue

For a long moment, Estella closed her eyes and imagined life to be different, but she knew wishing for it to be different was like cursing in the wind.

“I’ll be checking on you,” Rebecca said. She nodded. And then, as she started to melt back into the shadows of the road, Estella looked up and whispered, “Be careful, Rebecca. Please?”

Rebecca smiled, her once beautiful smile had been replaced with one just as shadowy as the night. “Always, babe.”

She watched her go. She wanted to break, her eyes already pooling with tears, but she quickly held them in. She had to be strong. She couldn't let her emotions get the better of her.

“Your partner?”

She was startled as she heard the words. It was like the person was sent to ridicule her love life. She wanted to mock the person who asked that question, so she turned around. Her heart raced as she took in the gorgeous man standing in the kitchen, the one that faced the same road Rebecca had been on, staring at her.

“He should be one of the elites.” She thought as she stared at him.

He looked like them. He looked like them, like one who had money, tons of it. Born in it or self-made, it didn’t matter. All she knew was that He didn't look like a guest or a server at the party?

She looked at him and saw that he had the emblem, which proved her statement a bit true. So yes, more than just a guest and God, the man was gorgeous.

So polished like he’d stepped right out of a magazine meant only for everything beautiful and wealthy. A world she damn well didn’t belong in. She doesn't dare to dream that far.

He shoved his hands into those expensive trousers that would probably cost her two to three years of her current job as he continued to stare at her, his pose indolent and arrogant. His green eyes flicked over her as if judging her, almost as if he were considering whether to deem her worthy.

Of what? His notice? His presence? It was a ridiculous thought. He had blond hair. And she had never really been attracted to blond men, but his hair was not simply blond. It had at least four different shades, ranging from muddy to brown and all shades in between. He was so gorgeous that it hurt to look at him.

“You going to answer me?” he asked mildly.

Mutely, she shook her head and, to her surprise, he laughed.

“Is that no, you’re not going to answer me, or no, she's not your partner?“

“She is not my girlfriend or partner or whatever. W-we are not like that,” she said in a low tone, a tone that she could barely hear herself.”

“Well, I'm glad to hear that. Makes it easier,” he muttered under his breath.

She blinked in complete surprise and then her eyes narrowed as he advanced toward her. Quickly, she moved to the side so she wouldn’t be squashed against the door as he came closer.

She couldn’t leave, so running wasn’t an option. Plus, her shift hadn't ended, and she needed the other half of her pay too badly to find a place for the night, and she wanted that food. But just as quickly, he walked to where she was, moving into her space until her pulse leaped erratically, and she began to eye the door that led to the road, suddenly uncaring whether she’d get paid or not.

“What’s your name?”

She glanced up at him, confused by his second question. “Uhm, does it matter?”

He paused for a moment, tilted his head to the side, giving her a clear view of his gorgeous neck and then said, “Yeah. It matters.”

“Why?” she whispered again, still not finding her voice.

“Because we’re not in the habit of f*****g women, we don’t know the name of,” he said bluntly.

Whoa. Wait, what.

There was so much wrong with that statement. She didn’t even know where to begin. She put her hand up in automatic defense before he could get any closer.

“We?” she demanded out loud immediately, shocked by the way ger voice rose. “We? Are you out of your mind? What are you talking about? And who the hell is we? Wait, what am I saying? I’m not f*****g anyone. Not you or we or they or anyone for that matter. No freaking way.”

“Tristan wants you.”

“Who the f**k is Tristan?”

“And I’ve decided I want you.”

She tried to suppress her snarl of rage. He didn't answer her question. Who is this nuisance? She gritted her teeth and then went on speaking with full rage.

“I am not putting up with s****l harassment om a job that is paying me less. I’m filing a complaint, and then I’m out of here.”

He smiled, surprising her and then reached out to touch her hair. She flinched away. She hated people touching her hair. It didn’t matter if she wasn’t loaded with cash, her hair was her pride.

“Answer me, who the freaking hell are you? And I don’t think I damn know who Tristan is.”

He laughed again, and it made her feel so warm inside that it felt so good. She wanted to hold on to it forever abd forget that this same man had laid out a stupid statement. The sound from his lips was so carefree, and she bitterly resented it, was so jealous she wanted to burn with envy. This was a man who had no problems. Had no cares—except who he wanted to go to bed with next. Shockingly he responded.

“My name is Trevor and Tristan is my twin brother.”