Surrender to the Sea (Lords of the Abyss Book 4) by Michelle M. Pillow Read Free Book Online Page A

for you.”
    “I—” Laurel attempted to answer but was cut off.
    “And these are inmates,” another woman said, placing a bag on top.
    “ Intimates , Phoenia,” the first seamstress corrected.
    “Intimates?” Laurel felt heat spread over her cheeks. Did Brutus order lingerie for her?
    The women giggled.
    “Lady Lyra taught us about these designs.” Phoenia tugged the string on the bag and reached in.
    Laurel saw a flash of what looked like skimpy lace and quickly moved to set the pile on the couch to keep the woman from pulling out whatever was in the bag. Weakly, she said, “Thank you.”
    “Many thanks, ladies!” Brutus held open the door indicating they should leave. A few tried to linger, curiously staring at Laurel. Brutus guided them by their arms out the door. While turning back to her, he said, “I am glad you have accepted my suit.”
    Now that they were alone, she couldn’t look at him. “You…you like me?”
    Her heart pounded violently, and her hands shook. Brutus had never said anything so bold as to indicate he was pursuing her. She’d struggled to deny her attraction to him, thinking he did not return her feelings. She stared at the bag of lingerie.
    “You are a very beautiful woman.”
    Laurel looked up in surprise. Brutus had stepped close. Only now as she looked directly at his face, she realized something wasn’t right. “You appear different.”
    “I am myself,” he assured her. “I would like for you to eat with me tonight.”
    She didn’t answer. This man had the same face, the same color of eyes, the same build, but there was something off about him. She couldn’t find a difference in his appearance, only in the way she felt when she looked at him.
    He continued, “When my brother pulled you from the water—”
    “Brother?” Laurel finally understood. This man could have been a carbon copy of Brutus, but he didn’t make her want to kiss him the way Brutus did. “Twin.”
    “You may call me Demon,” he said.
    “Demon?” Laurel gave a small laugh, unable to help herself. “Let me guess, they call you that because you’re the wild child. And Brutus is the brooding, serious brother.”
    “They call me that because it is my name,” Demon said.
    “Your mother named you Demon?”
    “Yes.” He arched a brow. “You think Brutus is brooding and serious?”
    “Very much so,” Laurel said.
    “Brutus?”
    “Yes.”
    “My brother, Brutus?”
    “Yes, your brother, Brutus.” Laurel went to the clothing. “I thought this came from him. I’m sorry, but I—”
    The door opened. The real Brutus greeted them. He panted as if out of breath. Finding Demon in his home, he confronted him. “The tailors told me that you bought everything.”
    “I tried to tell you but you ran away from me,” Demon said.
    “I didn’t give you permission to speak to her.” Brutus motioned his hand in her direction.
    “Hey, I’m right here.” Laurel placed her hands on her hips. They ignored her.
    “We’re brothers,” Demon dismissed. “You would have said yes.”
    “There are protocols for a reason,” Brutus stated.
    “Aye? What reasons?” Demon smirked, clearly enjoying himself.
    “Ah, um,” Brutus struggled for words. “For, uh, traditional reasons. To make sure a ward isn’t pursued by unsavory characters.”
    “Are you saying I’m unsavory?” Demon asked.
    “Well, no, but—” Brutus answered.
    “So then I’m allowed to court your ward,” Demon concluded.
    “No. I didn’t say that.” Brutus looked as if he might punch his brother.
    “See. No brooding,” Demon told Laurel, clearly aware of exactly how much he was aggravating his twin. “Though he does look irritated.”
    Brutus glanced at her and then Demon and then the pile of clothes. “You accepted his gift.”
    “Yes,” Laurel’s heartbeat quickened when Brutus stared at her.
    Demon grinned. “Irritated and possessive.”
    “But it was an accident,” Laurel explained, ignoring Demon as she