Chapter 27

CHAPTER 27

ROMAN

I was enjoying a quiet breakfast when Nicole strolled into my home as if she owned the place.

I set aside the London Times as I reached for my coffee cup. "Who do I have to fire this time for giving you another key?"

She folded her long lanky frame into the seat across from me as she snatched the last bite of my croissant off my plate. With her platinum blonde hair, trench coat, and Gucci boots she looked every inch the fashionable model enjoying the wet London spring weather. From the sharp way she was dressed and held herself, you'd never know she was absolutely batshit crazy.

She popped the piece of croissant in her mouth and winked. "No key. Just a little something I learned at my last unfortunate incarceration."

Nicole came from a wealthy, influential family who routinely attempted to lock her up in ever increasingly remote institutions, to no avail.

I folded my newspaper in half and placed it to the side. "I'm sure your mother will be thrilled to hear you learned lock picking along with your therapy painting. So should I expect police sirens at any moment?"

Nicole pouted. "Don't fuss, Roman. The place was so boring. And Daddy only put me in there because Richard complained to him."

"Well, to be fair, you did try to set his house on fire."

Nicole tossed back her head and laughed. "He was so angry. But that's old news, it's all sorted."

Nicole and Richard had a complicated relationship, mostly one-sided on Nicole's part.

She grabbed my coffee and took a sip. "Besides, since when do you take his side?"

I snatched my cup back and refused to answer.

She smiled. "Speaking of your dear brother. Have you seen this?"

She handed me her phone. There was a blown-up headline from an article.

Duke and Bastard Brother Break Down Doors

The article went on to report that during last night's storm Richard apparently broke down the apartment door of an unnamed female. It then reported that I did the same across town, although it listed Aurora's name and her presumed involvement in her parents' murder.

I tossed her phone on the table after making a note of the media outlet. I would have my solicitors rip them to shreds. They'd be little more than a grocery store coupon flyer by the time I was done with them.

She grabbed my coffee cup a second time. "So who's this Aurora bitch?"

I rose and poured myself a fresh cup from the breakfast display on the sideboard left by my butler. He would take a tray up to Aurora later. I glanced up at the walled-off loft. She should still be sleeping after her ordeal last night.

I was a complete asshole to her last night. I didn't regret going to the extremes I did to retrieve her, but I did regret what I said and did later. She hit a little too close to home and I lashed out. It was an unforgivable outburst of emotion on my part. I had already ordered a replacement locket from my usual jeweler. It should be delivered shortly. I wanted Aurora in my life, but on my terms. She would just need to understand that going forward. For my part, I would make an effort to handle her attempts to get closer to me with more tact.

I returned to the table. "Careful, Nicole. We are friends, but we aren't that close."

I would not tolerate anyone, no matter how long I may have known them, referring to Aurora in a disrespectful tone.

She put her palms up. "Message received. No need to be all bossy and threatening."

I raised an eyebrow. "All evidence to the contrary. Go put your claws in Richard."

She cocked her head. "Any chance you know the bitch's name?"

"I may. What would I get out of the exchange?"

Nicole rose and sat on my lap. She wrapped her arms around my neck. "Anything you want," she said suggestively. "I'm not wearing anything under this coat." She then kissed my neck.

I removed her arms. "Not interested."

She sighed and rose. She tightened her trench coat belt. "Fine. Richard is giving some kind of fancy masquerade ball way out at that super-secret country estate of his. It's all hush-hush, invite only."

Interesting.

"Her name is Lizzie Larkin. She attends the Arts and Fashion Design uni. If you leave now, you may catch her at her favorite café between classes."

What did I care if Nicole caused problems for Richard? I wasn't my brother's keeper. Besides, it would be amusing to see the fallout.

Nicole reached for her purse. "Keeping tabs on your big brother, I see."

"Half-brother. And there is very little that happens in this city that I'm not aware of."

Nicole turned and headed toward the door.

I called one final warning after her. "Remember that, Nicole."

She waved a hand over her shoulder and left.

I made a mental note to have the locks changed just in case.

As I returned to my paper, I looked up in time to see the master bedroom door close.