Theo’s building is everything I expected it would be. A pretentious place, suited for a pretentious prince. The high-rise located in the heart of Washington, D.C. nearly kisses the clouds.
The doorman, dressed in a tailored uniform, greets us as we exit the taxi. “Afternoon, Mr. Von Bremen. Good to have you back.”
Theo mumbles something in return that I can’t hear. He’s been a fucking baby the whole trip. He and Anniston discussed pitching strategies and watched game footage of the batters he is going against in the next game. It was heated, to say the least. He wasn’t in the mood to discuss and she wasn’t allowing his attitude to bleed onto the whole plane. He. Was. Annoying.
I tried hard to keep my eyes closed and count the breaths my lungs took each minute. It’s an old trick I learned in the military. At times, it can keep the panic at bay. It’s not that I get scared on planes, it’s just that the noise from the jets sends a sinking feeling of déjà vu to the pit of my stomach, reminding me of the day I returned to the States. Bruised. Battered. Broken. A failure. A killer.
The elevator dings, snapping me out of the memories that haunt me. Anniston twines her fingers with mine. It’s almost like she senses when I’m close to a break.
“Come on, Gorgeous. Let’s see how the rich people live.” Her smile is bright and genuine. The look she gives me is so pure that I am afraid I won’t be able to let this girl go when it’s time. I return the smile, knowing she loves to see my happy grin. She squeezes my hand in response, pulling me into the elevator.
The elevator ride goes on forever since Theo resides in the penthouse. He’s quiet, fiddling with his phone, his mood unimproved from earlier.
The car stops with a ding and we all file out and are greeted with a damn near replica of Theo. Holy shit! He’s a twin.
It’s bad enough to have to deal with him, but another one… I groan at the new development.
Anniston chuckles beside me, obviously picking up on my thoughts. “Don’t worry. They are totally opposite.”
At that, she releases my hand and approaches Theo number two, wrapping her toned arms around his waist. “Thaddeus! You look yummy. Have you been working out?”
He blushes, apparently enthralled with her like everyone else. “It’s good to see you, princess. I can’t say the same about the sourpuss you brought with you.” He tilts his head in Theo’s direction.
Theo rolls his eyes, not greeting his brother, and powers through the door with a growl.
“Who’s this?” Thaddeus asks, stepping to me with a warm smile.
“Cade,” I return pleasantly. I guess theyaredifferent. I was scared there for a minute that this was going to be one hell of a week.
“Cade is a friend of mine,” Anniston explains. “I thought I would bring him along and show him around. He’s studying sports medicine.”
Oh, so we do not confide in the brother. Check. I smile and nod my agreement.
“Sure. Well, come on in.” Thaddeus holds the door open and allows us entry into the vast space.
The entire back wall is glass, windows overlooking the city. The floors are an expensive marble that makes the space feel a bit cold, not like the warm wood at the plantation. Sparse furniture gives the space an empty feel. I already can tell I won’t like it here. There is nothing warm or welcoming about this place.
Unable to hold back my curiosity, I ask, “Is this your place, Thaddeus?”
“Please, call me Thad. Only Anniston continues to call me Thaddeus.” He gives her a sweet smile, immediately making jealousy unfold in my chest.
“This is Theo’s house. I stay here when I have business in the city. I actually live in Georgia, but my job keeps me traveling so much that I feel like a gypsy most days.”
I nod, not really relieved to know he lives so close to Commander. I shouldn’t want to keep her to myself, but I do.
Theo strolls into the kitchen with fresh clothes on already. Opening the fridge, he grabs a beer and pops it open. He’s chugged at least half before Anniston hollers and tries to wrestle it away from him. He holds it high with one hand and wraps the other around her waist, pinning her to his chest and wearing a smile that says he’s completely enjoying the moment.
“Come on, Ans. Let me have one.” He kisses her ear. “It was a nightmare of a plane ride and you know how Washington puts me in a bad mood.” A kiss to her neck.
She sighs, her shoulders slumping. “Just one.”
He smiles and lets her go, but not before planting a lip-smacking kiss to her lips, giving Thad and I a wink. Bastard.
Thad rolls his eyes and says, “Well, if Theo’s drinking, so am I. You want one, Cade?”
I look at Anniston. I don’t really know if I want one or not. I haven’t had a drink in years. The last time I did, I landed on the street, covered in my own filth. I’m hesitant to even try one.
Anniston smiles at me and says, “Just one.” Her eyes relay all the confidence she has in me.
