Sovereign Read Online Free

with another woman—one who gave me an unsettling sense of familiarity.
    “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” I glared at him and let the hurt ferment into anger.
    He shrugged and snaked his arm around my waist. “I figured it was best for you to see for yourself.”
    “This changes nothing between us.” I stepped away from him and eyed the stairs. A retreat seemed like a good idea. Then again, Teddy was more important than any of it.
    “We’ll see. Come on. Cal will want to get a look at you.” He took my hand and pulled me with him down the hallway. “And don’t forget what I did to you in the woods.”
    I closed my eyes and tried to stop the murky thoughts—the ones that lived in my nightmares—from rising up and taking my sanity away. The woods, the cabin, the screams. Brianne’s and Gavin’s rapes, and my supposed violation by Lucius. He dropped my hand as we entered the room.
    “Stella, so nice to see you again.” Cal grinned and walked over, embracing me and running his hands down my back. My skin crawled, and I fought the nausea that rolled through me.
    Sin was engaged in a conversation with Sophia and didn’t even look in my direction.
    “I’m still sad I missed out on you at the last trial. Maybe I’ll have to arrange a little in-between treat.” Cal whispered in my ear before releasing me.
    The kitchen door opened and a grinning Teddy walked in, his cheeks rosy, and Laura in step right behind him. The smile died on his lips when he saw Cal.
    “Happy birthday, young man.” Cal skirted the table and shook Teddy’s hand.
    Forcing the smile to return to his face, Teddy said, “I didn’t know you’d be coming, Sovereign. It’s an honor.”
    “Whoa, look at the manners on this one.” Cal laughed and slapped Laura on the ass as she passed with a serving dish.
    Teddy balled his fists but did nothing.
    “Sophia, how are you doing these days?” Lucius smiled easily and poured himself a drink at the sideboard.
    “Same old, same old, really.” Her voice was low and husky. I’d heard it before. A memory darted along the edges of my mind, but it was gone before I could grasp it.
    “Jet-setting as much as you used to?”
    “No.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder. It looked effortless enough to be completely calculated. “Daddy didn’t like me spending so much time away. So, I’ve been assigned to the New Orleans office. I still manage to get in a trip to Europe every couple of months, and of course, I spend a great deal of time in New York with Mother.”
    Lucius sipped his drink. “We’re glad to have you here for Teddy’s celebration.”
    “I wouldn’t miss it.” She scanned my decorations and the cake, her mouth turned down in distaste. “How quaint.”
    Laura bustled back in with the final dish and backed away from the table to wait.
    “Shall we?” Sin motioned for everyone to sit.
    Cal took the head of the table as if it were his house. Sophia stood at his side and waited for Farns to pull her chair out before sitting down. Then Sin sat to her right. I followed Lucius and sat between him and Teddy, still trying to get my bearings on what was happening.
    “You seem to have recovered well, Stella.” Cal lay his napkin in his lap as Laura began serving.
    “Have I?”
    Lucius gripped my knee.
    “Yes, you don’t look quite as fresh-faced as you were at the ball, of course, but you are holding up.”
    I darted my eyes to Sin. He ignored me and whispered something into Sophia’s ear. They were close, their body language telling me that they knew each other far better than just as friends—the way their shoulders touched, how he nuzzled into her dark hair, and the way she smiled at his every word.
    “She’s been a bit more pliant since Christmas, I can tell you that.” Lucius slung his arm around the back of my chair.
    “What happened at Christmas?” Teddy asked, his voice quiet and his gaze fixed forward.
    “You haven’t told him about the fun?” Cal tsked and