Filthy Crown by Eleanor Aldrick

Wow. This place is stunning.

As soon as I step out of the SUV I’m confronted with a modern day farmhouse, outfitted in a white exterior with black accents and metal roof.

This place is massive.And when I say massive, I mean this place could double as a hotel.

Ashley sidles up to me. “This is the main house. From my understanding, all of the guests stay in the individual cabins scattered throughout the property.”

I blink. So this is a hotel of sorts. Right about now I’m wishing I would’ve listened in on Austin’s conversations about his brother. I have no clue what he’s been up to these past years, and this information is definitely news to me.

A tiny hand slides into mine, and I look into the deepest shade of green. “Hey, pumpkin. I’ve got you.”

I shoot my little sister a smile before pulling her forward and toward my dream home. Who’d’ve thought that my least favorite person would be the proud owner of my Pinterest perfect desire?

Looking at Alex, I give him a mischievous smirk. “This place is huge. Think you’ll be able to find me in a game of hide and seek?”

His eyes light up before they dim again, clouded by the sadness that’s been plaguing us since Mexico. “Dad was the best at hiding.”

I reach down and pull him to my other side. “He sure was, buddy.”

I’m still gripping onto both kids when the front double doors push open and a towering six-foot-three man steps through the frame.

My throat goes dry before I catch myself and clench my jaw. He may be a pretty shell with his lush black hair, chiseled jawline and bulging biceps—but that’s all he is. A shell. All he cares about is where he’ll dip his wick next. Why he’s the one who ended up with us, I’ll never know.

Based on what I’ve heard, Uncle Matt would’ve been a better fit for us. Not some manwhore who undoubtedly keeps a revolving door to his bed.

I’m about to give the man a paltry greeting when our eyes clash and my breathing halts. Something unrecognizable flashes behind his eyes, his nostrils flaring, before his brows push together. “Princess?” It comes out in a whisper before he clears his throat and tries again. “Pen?”

“The one and only.” I raise a brow, keeping my grip on the kids. “You remember Alex, right? And this is Amanda. She would’ve been a year the last time you saw her.”

The accusation in my tone is clear, but he seems unaffected. Ignoring my words, he crouches down in front of us.

“Hey Amanda and Alex. I know this isn’t the same as your home, but I want you to know that I’ll do whatever I can to make this place a happy one for you.”

My heart squeezes. Not for the man, but for the kids. Regardless of my disdain for Jack, I still want what’s best for the children. The fact that he sounds eager to make this as happy an experience as possible for them is comforting.

Jack rises to his full height, his eyes landing on Titus, completely bypassing me once more.

“Thank you for everything.” He reaches out for Titus’ hand, clapping another on his shoulder. “Our family will be indebted to you always.”

“It’s what we do. Hopefully, you’ll never need our services again.” Titus gives us all a sad smile as Ashley crouches down and hugs the kids.

She comes up to me next, sliding a card into my hand. “Call me.” Ashley’s eyes flit to Jack before coming back to mine again. “If you need anything. I mean it. That’s my personal cell and I have it on me at all times.”

I nod, giving her a small smile. She might be a little smothering, but I can see she has good intentions.

Ashley and Titus wave their final goodbyes as they load up into their SUV and pull out onto the drive.

This is it. This is really happening.

I’m staring after the disappearing SUV when the clearing of Jack’s throat has me turning around, coming face to face with the stormiest hazel eyes I’ve ever seen. “Okay, then.” He claps his hands together like some sort of camp counselor, though the look on his face is still grim. “Your things are being shipped from California, but I’ve set up some essentials in your rooms to hold you over until then. Let me know if there’s anything I missed.”

I meet his gaze, my mouth refusing to smile. “Thank you.”

Jack gives one small nod. “Have y’all eaten? I’d ask if you’re hungry, but if your appetite is anything like mine, I know it’s non existent.”

“The kids haven’t had dinner yet.” I suck in my lips and look ahead, avoiding his stupidly gorgeous face.

“Well, then it’s a good thing Mary just finished fixing supper. She made her famous roast.” He smiles at the kids while my stomach churns.

Mary… Is that his wife? Girlfriend? God, I really wish I’d paid more attention.

Things are already difficult as hell. Adding his latest romantic fling to the mix will only make it that much more awkward.

Whatever. I’ve got this. I’ll put up with the devil himself if it means I’ll be able to walk away from this with the kids.

I brace myself for what’s to come as we all step through the front door, but what I see has me freezing in place. Two other Crown men are standing there, both with wide smiles on their faces.

My mouth hangs open as I take a step toward them. “Matt? Jace?”

Before the men have had a chance to answer, Amanda and Alex quickly scurry behind me. The kids were never openly social and after last week’s events, they’ve become skittish as hell.

Who can blame them?

“Hey, princess!” Jace walks toward me, pulling me into a hug.

Over his shoulder I can see Jack clenching his jaw, his narrowed gaze falling on his younger brother’s arms. Deciding to ignore whatever’s crawled up his butt, I focus my eyes on Uncle Jace.

“Hey!” I chuckle, definitely not having expected him to be here. He’s the party animal out of the bunch and I’m sure there’s a million things he’d rather be doing than attending a somber greeting. “This is a long way from South Beach. From what I’ve heard, this little town doesn’t even have any nightclubs.”

He releases me, pressing his hands to his heart. “You wound me! How could I miss out on seeing my favorite nieces and nephew?”

“But I thought I was the only nephew and you guys the only nieces.” Alex looks between Amanda and me, making the entire room erupt in laughter.

I pat Jace on the shoulder. “You’ll soon find that there isn’t much you can get past Alex.”

Jace ruffles Alex’s hair while pulling on one of Amanda’s pigtails. “I’ve got a special room set up for you guys. It’s got video games, toys, and every imaginable lovie.”

“He really did go overboard at the toy store the town over. I wouldn’t be surprised if he did in fact have every imaginable lovie.” Matt steps forward, leaning in for a side hug before bringing in both kids for the same.

Jack’s gruff voice cuts in, “How about we let the kids eat first, then we’ll all take them to the game room.”

“Lead the way.” Jace extends his hand toward the hallway, the wide corridor clad in white shiplap.

Damn, this place is gorgeous. All the ceilings are tall and each is finished with cathedral wood paneling.

We step into a formal dining room in all white and warm woods with enough seating to fit a football team.

“Sit wherever. Mary and Georgina will be out any second with the food.” Jack takes a seat at the head of the table, the brothers sitting on either side of him.

My brows raise as I sit next to Jace. Mary and Georgina?

Alex sits next to Matt while Amanda takes the seat next to me. I’m scooting her chair in when an older woman with graying hair walks through one of the archways. “Dinner’s here.”

“Mary, you know I love your roasts.” Matt rubs his hands together greedily, making me chuckle.

Jack speaks up, “Mary, thank you for dinner. I’m sure the kids will love every bite.” He then turns to us, looking from right to left. “Kids, this is Mary. She manages the household. If there’s anything you need, you go to her.”

The kids nod, meanwhile I just stare on. Mary seems nice enough, but I can’t rely on her if I want to prove that I can handle the kids on my own.

Jack’s eyes narrow on mine while he addresses the matronly woman. “Mary, do you mind sending Georgina out? She needs to meet the kids.”

“Yes, sir. Of course.” The woman steps around Matt, who’s already giving himself healthy servings of the roast.

“Did I hear my name?” A beautiful young brunette steps from where I’m guessing the kitchen is, holding a casserole dish with mashed potatoes.

“Yes, Georgina. I wanted you to meet the kids.” Jack waves a hand in our direction, the brunette blushing for some odd reason.

“Hello, children.” She looks toward Alex and Amanda, giving them both warm smiles. “It’s my job to keep the home tidy. And lucky me, I’ll also be watching over you, making sure your rooms stay nice and neat.”

Georgina completely ignores me, only giving me a passing glance. Okay?

“Thank you for that, but the kids have me to watch over them, and they can definitely straighten out their own rooms.” I pin her with a glare. Who the fuck does she think she is, Mary Poppins?

Jace chokes on his water while Jack clears his throat. “Georgina, meet Penelope. The eldest of the kids.”

Kids. He sees me as a kid. Well, if that isn’t making a difficult situation seem nearly impossible. Looks like I have my work cut out for me.

Georgina presses her lips together in an attempt to prevent her lip from curling, but the disgust is clear on her face. What is her problem? Before I can ask, she gives me the fakest smile ever. “Nice to meet you, Miss Penelope.”

I just sigh. Fuck her. She clearly doesn’t like me, and I don’t have time for fake bullshit.

I’ve seen how cruel and unforgiving life can be. The time we have is fleeting and I’m not wasting a damn second on appeasing this fake ass bitch.