Chapter 12 #3
“I had to think of some way to get her stuff; it’s not like she’ll take gifts unless it’s a special occasion.” Finn waved his hand in my direction. “She’ll only accept things if necessary, like clothing. Sometimes, she’ll resist even that. But I noticed she looked at different brands online—”
“You stalked her searches to discover what she likes?” Miles asked dryly.
Finn’s jaw clenched. “She picked them out herself.” His attention returned to me. “Do you want the ones in my car or not?”
My chest tightened. I’d been following the conversation, of course. But the torrent of conflicting emotions made it difficult to decide how to feel. I felt violated. But it wasn’t news that he’d been monitoring my phone. It hurt, but…
I’d worked so darn hard for those shoes.
The smell of Finn’s laundry would forever be etched into my senses. The mental scars would stay with me for the rest of my life. What kind of person would sit and eat cookies while their friend scrubbed their marble floors?
He always got crumbs all over everything.
Besides, they were mine. And if I didn’t take them, no one—besides maybe Bryce—would appreciate them the way they deserved.
I would have to punish Finn accordingly, but there was no need to waste perfectly good flats.
“I want them.” I stepped forward, holding out my hand for his keys. “Give them back.”
Bryce followed at a distance while Julian casually gestured to various window displays, giving away his preferences. His choices leaned heavily toward skinny jeans, short skirts, and thigh-high boots—all in dark shades.
But something was missing. Nothing he’d shown me matched his eyes.
“I thought your favorite color was blue?” I asked, eyeing yet another strappy black dress he’d highlighted. “What’s with all the black?”
Julian’s finger was still raised, and he paused as his face darkened slightly.
“This has nothing to do with me.” His words came out in a rush, and the lie was thick in his voice. “I thought they might look good on you.”
“The color representing Water is a darker blue, but usually black.” Bryce strode past us, his hands linked behind his head. He didn’t even glance as he continued toward a game store. “Besides that, Julian’s favorite color is Prussian blue. Just thought you should know.”
Wow, Bryce really knew his colors. I was so impressed.
Julian’s face grew darker, and he glared after Bryce.
“I thought we had an understanding,” he muttered as Bryce entered the store. “But this might be war.”
War ? Because Bryce embarrassed him? “Julian? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Julian’s attention turned back to me, but the warmth of his smile didn’t quite match his eyes. “Bryce is being petty. He’s probably annoyed that I’m here. I think he wanted to be alone with you.”
“Why, though?” My eyes shot to the store, suspicion growing with every beat of my heart. He wasn’t plotting against me already, was he?
“Nothing like you’re imagining, I’m sure.” Julian entwined his fingers in mine. This time, when he spoke, the calm matched his expression. “Bryce is a generous person. It would help if you let him buy you something. He’ll be happy.”
My focus flickered back to the glass door. How would that make anyone happy? When I had my money, it was my own. “But why?”
“Some people like to give gifts for no reason,” Julian said. “Fae men especially. We also would want to buy you stuff, but you don’t welcome that.”
He couldn’t be right. That wasn’t how life worked.
“Nothing is ever free.” Gifts always came with a price, even if the price was kindness and loyalty. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s a way of showing affection,” he said, as if oblivious to my inner turmoil.
“There are other ways of showing affection. I like handmade things. I like food. I like heirlooms. I like things that people create themselves,” I told him.
I wasn’t entirely unreasonable. “That’s how you know it’s genuine.
The only occasions other purchases are acceptable are birthdays and holidays. ”
“I know it’s not what you’re used to, but this is how society is today.” Julian shrugged. “And Bryce was raised in this world. If you want to try to understand how he thinks, let him spoil you.”
Why should I need to understand him? He should be the one kissing up to me.
But then again, Bryce did have control of my money. It was probably prudent to figure out how his mind worked. See the kind of steward he was.
I narrowed my eyes at the bright sign. “If he wants to give me something, he can buy me another pair of Burberrys.”
Julian lightly pushed me toward the store. “Let him buy you something, or don’t. It doesn’t matter either way, but see what he’s doing regardless. I need to do something. ”
My attention returned to Julian. He was pointedly not looking at me anymore.
“Are you trying to run away?” I asked.
“I’m doing something ,” Julian repeated, his mouth lifting in the corners. “And you’ll never be rid of me, so don’t worry about that.”
“What—” I began, but Julian lightly pressed his lips to my forehead and then slipped away.
I grumbled under my breath, stomped into the store, and spotted Bryce instantly. He was standing in front of a colorful shelf, intensely studying the game in his hand.
I watched him—something was off about this picture. He looked unhappy.
He was supposed to be partaking in a joyous hobby, so why did he look so solemn?
My heart began to pound. Why did I care about his happiness? This was an odd feeling. I didn’t like it. Gosh darn it, Julian was right. I was going to need to let the man purchase something for me.
“What are you doing?” I stepped beside him, and he jumped. I buried my glee and pressed forward. “I want a game.”
Bryce lowered the case and turned his critical eyes to me.
“Okay?” he said. His gaze left mine as he glanced behind me. “Where’s Julian?”
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “He said I should let you buy it.”
“Oh, did he?” Bryce frowned, narrowing his eyes toward the doorway. “What do you like?”
“I don’t know.” I cocked my head. That was such a loaded question. What did anyone like about video games? Was it possible to claim honest affection toward something that only existed in a box? Perhaps so, but I had never contemplated this before. “I’ve never thought about… ”
My words faded as a colorful poster of adorable characters on the wall behind Bryce captured my attention. “What is that ?” I asked, pointing at it.
“That?” Bryce’s attention followed my finger. “Oh, that .” He spotted the advertisement. “You wouldn’t be interested in that. It’s for children—”
“I want it.” I pushed past Bryce and grabbed a case from the display.
“You don’t even know what it is!” Bryce followed me. He narrowed his eyes at my arms. “Why in the world do you want it?”
My face was already burning, but as I hugged the game to my chest, I knew I had no choice but to answer. He tapped his foot, impatience leaking from his features.
He’d never let me get it without a reason.
“...It’s cute,” I admitted.
Bryce blinked, and for a moment, he seemed dumbfounded. His voice was cautious when he finally responded. “That’s not a reason.”
He was wrong. It was the reason.
“I need it.” If Bryce wouldn’t get it, I would tell Titus. Titus would understand. It was our special bond.
“Have you ever played a video game before? What systems have you used?” Bryce rubbed his head. “And besides, this is stupid. You wouldn’t like—”
“Don’t judge me.” Why was he arguing with me? He was supposed to heed my every word. This was highly unprofessional. “It’s better than your shooting game.”
His brows drew together, and he glanced at his hand. “There’s nothing wrong with this game. It takes practice and skill to master.”
“I could beat you.” I couldn’t seem to stop. Victory was close at hand. “If you buy me this game, I’ll fight you on your game. If I lose, you can return my game, and I won’t hold it against you.”
“You don’t even play video games. How in the world do you expect to beat me?” Bryce asked, incredulous. “What if I make you cry?”
My pulse was pounding, and excitement raced through my veins. I won, and he had no idea. I’d teach him to make assumptions. “I won’t cry. You’ll be the one crying.”
“What?” Bryce pressed his hand to his chest and glanced around us. And when he responded, his voice lowered. “You’re not going to be able to make me cry! I don’t cry.”
Why didn’t I believe him? He had the face of a crier. “I—”
“How about this, honeybee?” Bryce interrupted, the confidence leaking back into his tone.
“I’ll get you this game and a new system with all the extras.
Because if you’re picking stuff like this, I’m assuming you’d want the console that comes with it.
When I win, I’ll let you keep it. But you’ll have to obey me for a month.
If a miracle happens and you win, I’ll listen to you instead. ”
I narrowed my eyes at him.
That was no reward, considering he already had to tend to my every whim. But I couldn’t pass this up. With this negotiation, I didn’t even owe him a thing! It was brilliant.
“It’s a deal.” I ignored his smug smirk and glanced past him. “Where is it?”
The smile dropped from his face. “Where is what?”
“The console, Daddy .” I didn’t see it anywhere. He’d better not be lying to me. “I want everything.”
“I told you not to call me that.” He grimaced. “And it’s not out here. We’ll need to ask at the register. Follow me.”