Chapter 163
“My place. Got a problem with that?”
Kenneth practically exploded. Anthony stopped walking, his legs going still, and shot Kenneth a look so cold it could freeze you in place. Even though his voice was soft and low, it sent a chill down everyone’s spine.
“Your place?” Kenneth snapped, his eyes wide. “Wait, are you two living together?”
“Pretty much.” Anthony’s grip tightened just a little as he pulled Charlotte in front of him. His usual poker face softened with a hint of a smile. “Lottie lives with me now.”
Charlotte blinked up at Anthony. She didn’t bother to explain, which was basically the same as agreeing.
Kenneth had planned to wait for the DNA results before digging into Lottie’s background, but Anthony had already taken her home. He couldn’t believe it.
That jerk! Lottie was so much younger than Anthony. How could he even go there?
Kenneth’s face darkened. He grabbed Charlotte and tugged her behind him, standing between her and Anthony, trying to look tough even though he was clearly nervous. “From now on, Lottie’s staying with me. You can go back to your own place.”
He was convinced Lottie was just too naïve and that Anthony had tricked her.
The sudden pull made Charlotte stumble. She shot Kenneth a look, her eyes flashing with annoyance. Before she could even get her balance back, Kenneth moved in close, his usually scary face breaking into a big, eager grin. “Lottie, starting tonight, you’ll stay at my place.”
“If you don’t like it here, I’ll buy you a new place. Or we can go to Grandpa’s house, that’s fine too. Grandpa and Uncle are going to be dying to meet you once they find out.”
Anthony looked up at Charlotte when he heard that, his dark eyes searching her face. She stayed silent, her expression unreadable. His hands curled into fists by his sides, and he let out a helpless little smile.
Wow. In twenty-eight years, he’d never been this nervous before.
He was terrified that Lottie only got close to him because she didn’t have a family,
and now that she did, she’d forget about him in an instant.
“Lottie, come home with me,” Anthony said, holding out his hand, every line of it defined and
deliberate. She always said she liked his hands if there was ever time to use that to his advantage, this was it.
Charlotte pressed her lips together, her lashes fluttering. Her clear eyes sparkled with something new.
“Lottie already said she’d stay, you—” Kenneth started, but Charlotte cut him off. Her voice was calm and steady, like she’d made up her mind a long time ago. “I’m going home.”
“You mean with Anthony?” Kenneth’s eyebrows shot up. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“I’m picky about my bed.” Charlotte walked right over to Anthony and looked up at him. “Let’s go.”
Anthony bent down and gently patted the back of her head, then took her cool hand
in his, his voice low and warm. “Okay. Let’s go home.”
“She hasn’t even stayed at your place that long,” Kenneth muttered.
“Then move the bed over here,” Kenneth insisted, glaring at Anthony. Watching Anthony wrap an arm around Charlotte made him furious.
“Alright. That’ll be a billion,” Anthony replied, slipping his jacket off and draping it over Charlotte’s shoulders. He wrapped his arm around her, letting her hold his hand openly “Cash first, bed after.”
“A billion? Why don’t you just go rob a bank?” Kenneth nearly lost it. Seeing Lottie act so gentle and obedient, letting Anthony lead her away like a little lamb, only made him even more jealous.