Red Thorns (Thorns Duet #1) by Rina Kent



Soon enough, we were speaking an identical language only the two of us could recognize. She can deny it all she likes, but there was something between us last night. Something beyond the crowd and football and cheering.

Something beyond normal.

I saw it in her inquisitive eyes and I know she felt it in my touch.

Why did I let her feel it?

Fuck if I know. Could be because I enjoyed seeing her defenses crumble one by one, or witnessing the flutter in her thick lashes and the tremble in her lips.

Or sucking her fucking taste that I can’t chase away.

All I know is that I’m in the mood for more.

I can’t remember the last time I was in the mood for anything except keeping the cycle going.

In order to break it, I need to escape the Weaver curse, and I guess that’s not going to happen anytime soon. Which is why I’m here.

My grandparents’ extravagant mansion is located in the fanciest upper-class neighborhood in Blackwood. In fact, only the mayor and a few high-profile politicians live in the same area and it’s resident-only.

Not only does it take up more space than it should, but it’s also three stories high with tall white fences and lights shining in the night that can be seen from a mile away.

I park my Tesla in the area near the garage and spy for the Mercedes that belongs to my only ally in the family. However, I find nothing.

One of the staff smiles as she opens the door and I grin back before I kiss her cheek. “Lisa, how are you? How is Pedro?”

“Excellent, sir.” Her smile widens as she speaks with a slight Spanish accent. “He’s grown and has been looking up to you. He didn’t sleep until he watched the game last night.”

Poor kid, looking up to a fraud. My smile, however, remains in place as I reach in my back pocket and produce two tickets. “Give him these and tell him I’ll get him my shirt next game.”

“Oh, sir.” Her eyes water. “Thank you so much. This will make his week.”

At least that’s one of us.

“My old folks inside?”

“Yes,” she whispers. “You’re late, sir, and so is Mr. Nathaniel.”

I don’t blame him.

If I didn’t want to intentionally piss my grandparents off, I would’ve used the same tactic myself.

The bell rings again and I beat Lisa to it.

My uncle, Nathaniel Weaver, stands at the door in his sharp suit and with his clean-cut look that he uses to intimidate the hell out of anyone in or outside of the courtroom.

“Nephew!” He opens his arms, apparently not worried about the bottle of wine in his left hand.

“Nate!”

We clasp each other in a bro hug and he pulls back to offer me one of his rare smiles. “Congrats on the win yesterday. I watched it with my colleagues and now they’re bugging me about autographs.”

“No, sorry. That comes with a price, Uncle.”

“Don’t call me that. Makes me feel ancient.”

“You are ancient. What are you? Thirty-five?”

“Thirty-one, Rascal.” He gives me the middle finger behind Lisa’s back as we step inside. “Ready for battle?”

“Always am.”

The interior of the Weaver mansion is as extravagant as the exterior, if not more. Due to my grandparents’ expensive tastes, it’s full of rare finds, auctioned paintings, and exotic rugs.

The heads of a few dead animals hang in the entrance area as a showcase of Grandpa’s love for hunting.

When I was younger, I believed they were spirits that would come for us one day. In a different world, that might have been true, but now, it’s just another reminder of what a heartless bunch we are.

As soon as Nate and I step into the dining room, it’s like we’re in the midst of a chess game. The king is the man sitting at the head of the table.

Brian Weaver.

Being in his early-sixties doesn’t take anything from his composed demeanor and sharp, piercing eyes that aren’t only befitting of a politician but also of a Weaver.

The queen is the woman sitting on his right, wearing a soft smile. Debra Weaver is the definition of the saying ‘behind every great man is a great woman.’ She didn’t only fight tooth and nail for his political career, but she was also as ruthless about it as he was. At least, behind closed doors.

On the outside, people can only see a soft woman with golden blonde hair and a queen-like posture and wardrobe.

Uncle kisses her cheek first and I follow suit before we nod at Grandpa, then take our seats on his right. Soon after, the cook brings in some sort of ham casserole that I don’t recognize.

Grandpa is all about meat, although his doctor says it’s not good for his health in the long-term.

“You’re late,” Grandma chastises, but it sounds loveable—worried, even—when she’s, in fact, mentally checking a strike against us.

“Only because I was looking for your favorite wine, Mom.” Nate motions at the bottle he placed at her side.

She gives him a look before directing her hawk-like stare at me. “What’s your excuse?”

“I have none. I just woke up late because of the game last night.” I grin. “We won, Grandpa.”

“As you should have. It’s a given, unlike the show you put on camera.” His stern expression doesn’t change as he chews on his ham.