Paper Princess: A Novel (The Royals Book 1) by Erin Watt Read Free Book Online

source of tension between Callum and his sons.
    “It’s fine, Dad ,” Reed mocks. He turns to his brothers. “Ten minutes and we leave.”
    They all follow like baby ducks. Or maybe the better analogy is soldiers.
    “I’m sorry.” Callum heaves a sigh. “I don’t know why they’re so upset. I planned on driving you to school regardless. I just hoped they’d be more…welcoming.”
    The smell of burning eggs has us both turning toward the stove. “Shit,” he curses. I move next to him and see a dark congealing mess. He smiles ruefully. “I never cook but I figured I couldn’t screw eggs up. Guess I was wrong.”
    So he never cooks but he does for some strange girl he brought home? Not hard to see the source of resentment.
    “Are you hungry? Because I’m okay with fruit and yogurt.” Fresh fruit is something I haven’t had the privilege of eating often. Fresh anything is a sign of privilege.
    “Starving actually.” He gives me a pitiful look.
    “I can cook some eggs”—before I can even finish, he pulls out a package of bacon—“and bacon if you have it.”
    As I cook, Callum leans against the counter.
    “So five boys, huh? That’s a handful.”
    “Their mother died two years ago. They’ve never really recovered. None of us have. Maria was the glue that held us together.” He shoves a hand through his hair. “I wasn’t around much before she died. Atlantic Aviation was going through a rough time and I was chasing deals around the globe.” He lets out a gusty sigh. “The business, I’ve managed to turn around…the family is still a work in progress.”
    Based on what I saw of his sons, I don’t think they’re even close to the bend in the road, but Callum’s parenting skills aren’t any of my business. I make a noncommittal noise at the back of my throat that Callum takes as encouragement to continue.
    “Gideon’s the oldest. He’s away at college but comes home on the weekends. I think he must be seeing someone around town but I don’t know who. You should meet him tonight.”
    Goodie. Not. “That’d be nice.” In the way an enema is nice.
    “I’d like to take you over to the school, get you enrolled. After we get you squared away, Brooke—that’s my girlfriend—has offered to take you shopping. I figure you can start school on Monday.”
    “How far behind am I?”
    “Classes started two weeks ago. I’ve seen your grades, so I think you’ll be fine,” he reassures me.
    “Your PIs must be pretty good if you have my school records.” I frown into the eggs.
    “You’ve moved around a lot, but yes, eventually when I found out your mother’s full name, it wasn’t too hard to backtrack and obtain everything I needed.”
    “Mom did the best she could with me.” I jut out my chin.
    “She stripped. Did she force you to do that, too?” Callum reacts angrily.
    “No, I did that all on my own.” I slap his eggs onto a plate. He can cook his own stupid bacon. No one gets to run down my mom in front of me.
    Callum grabs my arm. “Look, I—”
    “Am I interrupting something?” A cold voice sounds from the doorway.
    I whip around and see Reed. His voice is icy but his eyes are full of fire. He doesn’t like me standing close to his dad. I know it’s a total dick move, but something drives me to step even closer to Callum, almost under his arm. Callum’s paying attention to his son, so he doesn’t realize the reason for my sudden closeness. But Reed’s narrowed eyes tell me he gets the message.
    I raise my hand and place it on Callum’s shoulder. “No, I was just making your dad some breakfast.” I smile sweetly.
    If possible, Reed’s expression gets even stormier. “I forgot my jacket.” He stalks over to the table and pulls it off the chair.
    “See you at school, Reed,” I taunt.
    He spears me with another glare before turning and leaving. My hand falls away. Callum looks down at me, bemused.
    “You’re poking a tiger.”
    I shrug. “He poked me