Faux Vows, True Desires

"Don't worry about the company, I have a bunch of capable brothers who can take over in a heartbeat. Even if I were to hang out with you at Skywatch for a year, the firm would run like clockwork." Stefan had faith in his siblings and trusted their competencies implicitly.

"Although they're all busy with their own ventures, they're all clued in on the company's operations. Liam's just tied the knot, so we'll give him a pass; my youngest brother's still in school, so he's out too. But my other brothers are up for the task."

The brothers: Stefan, please don't pick me.

Stefan: How about this? Rock-paper-scissors, draw straws, loser takes over.

Everyone was speechless.

"This empire's too big to leave to my youngers brother. They might be able to handle their own, but navigating the business world requires some seasoned veterans."

Lucinda had been the sister-in-law to the boys for a while now and had gotten to know each and every one of her brothers-in-law quite well.

Stefan chuckled, "Let them share the load, don't want to be accused of playing favorites."

Lucinda yawned, closing her eyes, and mumbled, "Honey, I'm beat. Off to count sheep." Stefan planted a gentle kiss on her and whispered, "Sleep tight. I'll watch over you."

Lucinda said no more.

She always felt exhausted after their intimate moments, sinking into a deep sleep.

It puzzled her why she was the one feeling spent even though she wasn't the one exerting the effort.

Skywatch.

One o'clock in the morning.

The city was quiet as a whisper.

A convoy bathed in moonlight made its way back to Sunnyglade Abbey.

incessantly, yet they dared not

snapped the guards to attention. They quickly stood up, operating the gate switch and stepped out of

closed

booth, finally able to catch a wink

in front of the main

go get some rest," Keith said in a deep voice, to which the bodyguards replied in unison, "Goodnight, Mr.

house without looking back, and after a brief moment of silence, the bodyguards returned to their cars, drove to the parking lot, and retired to their quarters. Those on night

room was still lit. He hesitated but decided to

The smell of alcohol lingered heavily in the air - his dad had obviously been out socializing and had come

Dad's drunken

father, removed his shoes and socks, adjusted the thermostat to a comfortable setting, then left the

testament to the strained relationship with his

it - they assumed it was because he was out of favor and had been relegated to the most

several large trees. In the summer, they provided shade and coolness, but they also darkened

considered cutting them down. The night shift guards used those trees as cover. Without them,

stepped into his room but stopped after only a few

the guards on duty were none

so skilled as to evade

it were

considered he might need a

turned on the light, closed the door, and discreetly triggered an alert to his guard's indicating

when he saw who was lounging on

in sleek

was highlighted to perfection. Her long hair was tied back in

had no doubts about

the mysterious woman who'd helped

He approached her.