Chapter 165

An hour later, a knock sounds against the door of Neil’s room exactly three seconds before Beau bursts inside. He has a big smile on his face that only grows bigger as he takes in the sight of us.

Neil has just proven his virility, and while he gave me just enough time to get redressed, I’m still reeling from the aftershocks of an hour long pleasure session.

I notice too late that my shirt is on inside out. As Beau walks by me, he flicks at the tag.

“Odd the way they design shirts nowadays,” he teases. “It almost looks inside out.”

My face burns with embarrassment. I can’t correct my shirt without taking it off, and they both know it. Two sets of eyes are on me, as if waiting to see what I’ll do.

Fuck it, I think, and tug off my shirt. Both of these men have seen me naked before. What reason do I have to be such a prude anymore?

As I flip my shirt right-side out, I chance a glance at the two of them. They are both staring directly at my breasts. I expect it of Beau, he’s a pervert. But Neil? He’s just seen me naked less than ten minutes ago. He should be used to it by now.

Though the fact that he does still seem to enjoy the view gives me pleasant goosebumps.

I like that he likes looking at me. I like that Beau does too.

“Are all those hickeys yours?” Beau asks.

“There are some you can’t see,” Neil replies.

“Neil!” I hiss, and hurry to put on my shirt.

He shrugs unabashedly. Confidence oozes out of his every pore. His lips are still kiss-swollen red.

Beau’s grin is wicked. “Glad you two had fun.”

I make a show of rolling my eyes. I don’t want him to know how embarrassed he makes me feel, though, since it’s Beau, I’m sure that not only does he know, he also revels in it.

Beau’s grin eases somewhat as he looks again at his brother. “Though perhaps you should be more careful since you are engaged.”

“The engagement is off,” Neil says.

Beau looks as surprised as I feel. Though I did suspect something like this was inevitable, especially since Angela’s sudden visit. It is strange for Neil to say it so definitively. It’s almost as if…

“Did something happen?” Beau asks. “I thought father would do just about anything to maintain the match.”

“He would,” Neil says. “I decided to call it off myself.”

“You did?” Beau is looking at his brother like he has three heads. I have no idea what my face is doing. Likely something similar.

“I didn’t want to lie to Angela anymore,” Neil says. Softer, he adds, “Or to myself.” At his full volume, he says, “With my health in its seeming decline, it really gave me the best excuse to quit. Angela deserves to be free. Maybe I do too.”

“Fuck, yeah,” Beau says. He pats Neil on the shoulder for good measure. “But what did dear old dad have to say about that?”

“He’s pissed as all hell,” Neil says. He smiles some but it seems nervous. I remember what Archer said, about Neil standing on his own against his father for the first time. He needs our support.

“Letters?” Beau asks.

“And calls. Non-stop, really.” Neil gestures to a wastebasket in the corner of the room, where a pile of papers are crumpled up and discarded. Some letters haven’t even been opened. “But I don’t care what he says, or what threats he makes. I’m done listening to him.”

Beau laughs. “It’s about fucking time, Neil.”

While the two brothers seemingly enjoy Neil’s new declared independence, I can’t help but be worried. Yes, I’m very happy that Neil is free of a loveless marriage, but…

Neil has always bent to his father’s will. What will this mean for him now that he’s out on his own? His father, vindictive bastard that he is, will likely retaliate. But when? And how?

“This is a big change for you,” Beau says. “Standing up to dad…”

Neil glances at me. He’s wearing a small, pleased smile that I can’t help but mirror even as my heart is in turmoil.

“Some things are worth fighting for,” he says.

Later, while Neil lays down to rest for a while, Beau and I head down to the cafeteria to scrounge up some food for all of us. We still haven’t seen Steven, though rumor has it, he’s still tied up in the laboratory.

Beau has apparently been building up some internal thoughts since talking about Neil’s newfound freedom because the minute the door is closed to Neil’s room, he turns to me and says, “I’ve never seen him like this before.”

“He has more energy,” I say.

“It’s not just that,” Beau says. “It’s… something more fundamentally different. His whole life he’s carried this weight around his neck – Dad, and the responsibility he puts on Neil – and now, suddenly he’s incredibly… free.” Beau laughs. “He’s almost like me now.”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” I say.

“Wouldn’t you?” Beau asks, raising a brow at me. “Guy is single for, what? An hour or two? And the first thing he wants to do is fuck you?”

I bury my face in my hands. “Can we not talk about this in the middle of a hospital hallway at full volume?”

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Beau says.

I groan – loudly.

“You are the only one making a big deal of it,” Beau says. He raises his voice. “Hey, everyone! They had sex! Does anyone care? No.”

I bury my face under both arms now, as I hurry away from the scene and toward the cafeteria. Beau matches my pace, staying at my side.

“This is why you and Neil are nothing alike,” I grumble. “He’d never try to embarrass me like this.”

Beau laughs, loud and from the chest. It’s the brightest he’s been since Neil has entered the hospital. Maybe seeing Neil feel better has lifted his own spirits once again.

It’s because of that bright mood and that big laugh that I can’t be mad at him for very long, even if I am still a bit humiliated.

“It’s good, though, isn’t it?” Beau asks. “To see him so free.”

“Yeah…” I’m still worried about the ramifications, but seeing Neil so happy does wonders for the soul, especially after the past few days.

“Maybe his near-death experience finally knocked some sense into him,” Beau says. “He’s finally ready to stand up for himself.”

“It could be,” I say.

Beau’s smile wavers slightly. “Forgive me, Nanny, but you are being a bit of a sourpuss. Mind sharing what’s crawled up your ass while we should be celebrating. You aren’t still mad at me…?”

“No,” I say. “It’s not you. And it’s not Neil either. I’m just worried.”

“What on earth is there to be worried about? For the first time in a while, everything is going okay.”

Is it? Is it really? Neil might be feeling better, but he still has the silver. My contract is still ending in two weeks, and then I’ll never see any of them ever again. Not to mention, Mia’s mother is still missing, and oh, all of their father is possibly the worst person in the universe.

I don’t want to unload all of that. But I will share the one that to me, is the most pressing.

“Neil says your father is furious with him,” I say.

“Yeah, I can only imagine his fury.”

“Do you think he’s going to be able to ever let this go?” I frown deeply. “Let Neil go?”

Beau’s brightness dims in entirety, and I feel immediate regret. I don’t mean to bring anyone down with me. But if his father is going to be a problem, maybe we need to make a plan.

Beau turns down his gaze. “Dad won’t let Neil go without a fight.”