When a letter pops up from Lauren's deceased mother, she's thrown into a world of money and power.
Shipped off on a plane ride from small town Michigan to The Golden State California, she meets 5 brothers she never knew she had.
And these brothers...
Today is the day of the Carver dinner party. Everyone is currently getting ready to leave in a couple of hours. Liam hired professionals to get suits for the boys and a dress for me. He even hired a makeup artist for me. He really is going all out.
Yesterday he sat us all down and gave us what seemed like an eternity long conversation about being presentable and alway keep your guard up. To be honest it seemed like he was a general and we were the soldiers. Someone is to always be with be at ALL times since we still don't know what they have planned and if it has to do anything with me.
I don't know how I feel about seeing Nick again after our now second kiss. Will he ignore me? He did say that he cared about me, but was he telling the truth?
I'm currently sitting on my bed looking at the multiple dresses hanging up for me to wear. One catches my eye and I stand up and take it off the hanger.
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Can never go wrong with a good sparkly dress. I pair it with matching rose gold strappy heels. Even though it hurts like a bitch to wear them after I just got my boot taken off. Well you know what they say...
Beauty is pain.
The makeup artist who I later learn is Helen, applies my makeup and straightens my hair till it's straight as a needle. I spray on some Coco Mademoiselle and this girl is ready to go.
I make my way downstairs and see all the boys in their black tuxedos.
"Well don't you boys look dashing," I gush at them.
Liam and Henry give me a bright smile, Owen and Evan start flexing their muscles and Grayson just rolls his eyes. Wouldn't expect any other reaction.
"I could say the same thing about you, my little supermodel sister," Henry says holding his arm out for me.
"Oh you're too kind," I smile and link my arm with his.
"The car is here," Liam states. We all turn to look at him. "Remember this isn't just some regular dinner party. The Carvers never invite us to these things. We must be alert at all times. And someone must alway stay by Laurens side," he states.
The whole mood of the atmosphere changes. And just like that my good mood is gone.
We nod our heads and walk out the front door. In the driveway sits a shiny black limo.
Ya, I don't think I'll ever get used to this lifestyle anytime soon.
I look at my brothers and a small smile forms on my lips. Never would I have thought I'd be in this situation and never would I have thought I'd have this many people look out for me. This is probably the best thing that has ever happened to me.
The driver opens the door and we all climb into the limo. I'm sitting between Evan and Owen, Grayson is sitting on the side seat and Henry and Liam are sitting in front of me with their backs to the driver.
The car is dead silent. It's kinda eerie. Evan reaches for the bottle of champagne on the shelf and Grayson slaps his hand away. "Ow!" he yelps, clutching his hand. "Idiot," Grayson mumbles, shaking his head.
Always count on Evan to lighten the mood with his idiotic behavior. Love that goof ball more than he knows.
"If I catch any of you four drinking tonight, you're all grounded for a month. Someone offers you a drink you deny. Got it?" he looks at the four of us.
"But-" Evan complains but now it's my turn to slap him. "Ow!" he yelps once again. "Seriously? What's with everyone slapping me?" he exclaims.
"Cause you're a fucking idiot," Owen chimes in. We all start laughing, even Liam cracks a small smile. He then turns back to serious mode. "Got it?" he restates. We all nod in agreement. Evan huffs and crosses his arms like a five year old.
The limo pulls to a stop and my anxiety is off the scales right now. Everyone climbs out of the limo and I just stand there while the boys walk to the front steps.
This place is huge. Like a huge castle.
I'm snapped out of my trance when Liam walks back to me. "Are you ok?" he places his hands on my shoulders and inspects me like I'm dying from an illness.
"Yes, I'm fine," I assure him. He holds his arm out for me and I take a deep breath and link my arm with his.
A tall man in a suit opens the door and ushers us inside. This house looks exactly how I expected it to look. Fancier after fancier objects everywhere I look.
I don't recognize anyone in here. They're all old men with their trophy wives latching onto them. We're offered champagne glasses and it looks like it physically hurts Evan to say no.
"Ahhh the Brookes, glad you all could make it," says a man with Nick and his two brothers beside him. I assume he's Mr. Carver...
"Thank you for inviting us Roger," Liam respondes and my grip tightens on his arm.
I meet Nick's eye and he looks...miserable? Like he'd rather be anywhere else. Roger looks at all of us and his eyes land on mine and I feel myself turning to stone.
"Lauren, it's so nice to finally meet you. Nick has told me so much about you," he says placing a hand on Nick's shoulder. Nick squirms under his touch.
"It's nice to meet you Mr. Carver," I manage to say. He doesn't say anything. He just stares at me and I feel my shoulders deflate an evil grin forms on his lips. I don't know why but I feel like I just lost whatever just happened between us.
"Liam, I have some matters to discuss with you urgently. If you could join me in my study," he says gesturing behind him.
"Of course," Liam says calmly, but the way he tenses I can tell he's worried about something.
Liam turns to face us giving us a look that sends an unspoken message saying to behave. Liam joins Roger and I notice that Nick is trailing behind them.
Nick glances over his shoulder and his eyes meet mine and I just know something is wrong. When he turns back around and I look to my brother and they are feeling the same way.
It's been an hour and I haven't seen Liam or Nick once. Evan, Grayson, Henry and Owen introduce me to people I've never met.
Apparently some work with my brothers and hate being here as much as we do.
In the corner of my eyes a furious looking Liam comes storming out. The party falls silent. "We're leaving now!" Liam says with so much venom in his voice as he passes us.
Without a word we follow him out the door. Someone grabs me hand and pulls me back. I look and see a frantic looking Nick.
"I'm so sorry," he says with so much emotion running through his eyes. Why is he sorry?
