A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

Chapter 27

“I should probably let Mom and Dad know when I get back.”

Zachary was still muttering to himself when Alessia stopped in her tracks.

“I need to go somewhere, so I won’t be heading home with you. Don’t worry about dinner for me tonight.”

“Alright. Just text me when you’re on your way back so I can come down and meet you. It’s not safe around here at night.” Zachary didn’t push for details–he just gave a gentle reminder.

Alessia wasn’t concerned about her safety, but if she refused, Zachary would only insist, and she’d rather avoid the back–and–forth. So she nodded and agreed.

At the fork in the road, Alessia turned the corner, disappearing from view as Zachary watched. He clutched the bag in his hand, let out a quiet sigh, and a complicated expression flickered across his face–half a smile, half worry.

If it had been Ileana, he probably would’ve asked a thousand questions. But when it came to Alessia, his concern was tangled with the fear of coming across as overbearing. He was still trying to figure out how to make her feel comfortable

around him.

Back at the townhouse, Xander was already sprawled in the armchair, happily sampling the pastries Alessia had brought over.

Other than Cole and Lessie, no one else has passed that scent test,

in front of him, only to be met with a sharp

person Lessie is. She wouldn’t bring someone here who didn’t have what it takes. How long have you been with me now? Five, six years at least, and you still can’t answer half as many

with that? All these years, only Cole’s even come close

measure up

word the

1/3

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Chapter 27

his mouth and slipped a note

memory of Zachary quietly answering questions, his fingers rhythmically drumming along his jeans. At first, Xander thought it was just coincidence,

know–no one but your precious Lessie is allowed to hang around you.” Six mumbled,

him, grabbing another pastry as he ran, leaving Xander somewhere between exasperation

ingredients and their precise amounts–it was a basic formula, but… to get it right just from reading,

note away, nodding to himself in

tangle of emotions. From the kitchen came the sounds of Brendan preparing dinner. Karen, who’d been building blocks with Ivan in the living room,

“Hey, Mom.”