Chapter 59

Nicholas

“You are so obvious, brother,” Julian said. “It’s a miracle the camera crews haven’t yet picked up on your pining.”

If I wasn’t so in control of my emotions, I would have punched him. Not just for his wrongful accusation about my feelings regarding Piper – I was not pining – but because of his persistence in bringing her down with him.

I didn’t punch him, but it was a near thing.

I settled instead for bringing myself to my full height and growling at him. I was only two inches taller than him, but I made the most of it now.

“Maybe you don’t care about Piper’s reputation, but I do. Disappearing with her for hours does not improve her image with our family or the people.”

“Piper knew exactly what she was doing.” Julian’s smirk added an edge. “Trust me, she’s a pro.”

My hands formed fists. Piper could fool around with whoever she wanted. That wasn’t my concern anymore. But Julian… He had no right involving himself.

“Piper is a single mother. Do you fully intend to support her and her child? She’s not the type for you to love and leave, Julian.”

Julian tilted his head. “Why do you care so much? I don’t see you lining up to date her.”

The words speared through me. Why did I care? “For Elva’s sake. She’s just a child.”

“Don’t bring Elva into this, Nicholas. She might be a reason you are so protective, but she’s not the only reason.”

I couldn’t listen to this. Any other reasons I may or may not have felt simply did not matter.

Piper was not mine to have. She hadn’t been for a long time.

Discovering the truth about our past had left me unsettled. I was still trying to set myself straight. For so long, I had thought she had betrayed me. I had branded her a liar and a cheater, and hardened my heart against any kind of love.

Yet she had been hurting the same as me all these years. She had made her choices to protect Elva and herself. How could I hate her for it?

But if I didn’t hate her, then how did I feel? My heart had thawed to her, but that didn’t mean love. It didn’t necessarily mean affection either.

Mutual respect, perhaps? A comradery that bordered on friendship?

“You’re jealous,” Julian said, like it was obvious. He always enjoyed twisting the knife in my ribs.

“I am not,” I said, outwardly as adamant as all the times before. Inwardly, I… wondered. Since the revelation, I felt all over the place. I was still trying to set myself straight.

It did upset me that Piper appeared to have feelings for Julian, enough to sneak away with him, even knowing it was breaking the rules.

But I also wanted her to have the things that she wanted. If she wanted Julian, who was I to stand in her way?

“You have to treat her right,” I said.

Julian’s smirk added teeth. “Don’t worry. I’ve never had any complaints. I treat all my women like they are the only one.”

Moving without thought, I grabbed the front of his shirt and yanked him forward. “Now, listen here –”

Julian laughed, startling me. I immediately released him. “Not jealous. Right. Sure thing.” He smoothed the front of his shirt. “Maybe it’s time to reevaluate.”

He was baiting me to distract me. I ignored him as best I could. “If you choose to date Piper, you will date no one else but her.”

Julian rolled his eyes. “You are such a stick in the mud. Why would I ever limit myself?”

“If you refuse, I will tell her what you said, about her being one of many. She won’t like it.”

Piper and I never had room for jealousy in our past together. Our relationship had been so comfortable, we trusted each other implicitly. But early on, we had made clear our intentions to only be with each other.

Piper and I both preferred monogamy. I doubted that had changed in the past three years.

Julian’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Tell her then. See what happens. She’s under my spell whether you like it or not.”

“Fine.”

I walked Piper’s horse back to the stables, where a stable hand stood waiting to take over. After passing him the reins, I continued on to the gardens where I knew Piper would be, with Elva, Susie, and Mark.

I found her quickly enough, playing tag with Elva in the grass. Piper would hurry to catch Elva, then slow down at the last moment so Elva could make a daring escape! Elva giggled each time.

“Catch me, Mommy! Catch me!”

Piper laughed too, a bright and honest smile on her face that made my heart leap forward in my chest. I placed my hand over it, willing it to slow.

Piper should not have been able to affect me so readily. Yet when I saw her with such a joyful expression, all I could think of were ways to keep it there.

Julian suggested I reevaluate. Amongst his usual bullshit, that idea held a ring of honesty.

Why did I care so much about Piper and her happiness? I cared for Elva, but this ran deeper than that. I could care for Elva without worrying overmuch about Piper dating Julian. But the thought of the two of them made my stomach churn.

Maybe if Piper dated someone else. Someone who wasn’t my no-good playboy brother.

But… no. Would they deserve her? Would they treat her right? Would they make certain she smiled, just like this, every day for the rest of her life?

The thought of Piper with anyone did not settle comfortably within me.

Loathe as I was to admit it, Julian was right. Despite all reason, maybe I was jealous.

If that were true, I needed to learn to control myself, quickly. I was in this competition to find my mate. I would give my wife no less than the full entirety of my heart. I couldn’t be wasting portions of it pining after Piper.

“Nick-lass!” Elva called to me, waving both arms. “Help!”

Piper had nearly caught her again.

Having been spotted, I walked closer, until Elva ran to safety behind my legs. Piper stopped in front of me.

Her cheeks were flushed from running. Some of her hair had come undone from the tie at her neck. Her skirts had grass-stains along the bottom.

She had never looked so beautiful.

“Did everything go okay with Prince Julian?” she asked me.

Now was my chance to tell her what a cad he was, and to discourage her from ever wanting to see him again. But if she truly had caught feelings for Julian, what I would tell her would hurt her.

She was so happy, so bright. So… loving.

I opened my mouth to disparage my brother, but found I couldn’t say the words.

I didn’t want to break her heart.

“Everything’s fine,” I told her. I accepted the responsibility then and there. If I couldn’t tell her the truth about Julian, then I would need to find ways to convince him to become more loyal to her.

Piper would have everything she wanted. I would personally see to it.

Then, and only then, could I focus on repairing my own heart.

Elva bounced in circles behind me. “Catch him, Mommy! Make him it!”

Piper’s cheeks reddened in embarrassment. She looked up at me through her lashes. “If you want to play…?”

As if I would ever be able to turn her down when she made that face. “Very well.”

Slowly, she reached out and tapped my arm.

“Tag. You’re it.”