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Brothers

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Chapter 27: Brothers (Christian's POV)

"This is ridiculous," she grumbled, getting into the elevator with me after taking twenty minutes to successfully lock the door to her apartment because Jules was more than just half asleep. 

"What's ridiculous is you wearing sunglasses at five in the morning," I replied, reaching forward and taking them off. 

She winced and turned her head the other way, closing her eyes. "It's too bright, Christian!" 

"You're not a vampire. Deal with it." I grabbed her arm and turned her to face me before pinching the neckline of her top and hanging her sunglasses there. 

She put them back on immediately before leaning against the wall and sighing dramatically. 

"Shouldn't you be a bit more excited about your brother's wedding?" I questioned, glancing at her. 

"I'm over the moon," she replied dryly. 

I chuckled softly and pushed her sunglasses up to her head, forcing her to meet my gaze. 

"I will fucking strangle you, Christian," she threatened. 

Wordlessly, I pulled the shades back over her eyes. "I like it rough too, Milaya." Once we reached the lobby, I took her suitcase for her and wheeled it out while she dragged herself behind me. "You're slower than a snail," I snickered before taking her hand and jerking her forward. 

She tripped and held onto my arm tightly before whining and putting her head against my arm, walking by my side. "I'm tired." 

"You've done nothing to exhaust yourself recently." 

"You exhaust me," she bit back as we reached my car. 

"I can exhaust you in other ways," I said, opening the trunk. 

"God, it's too early for this," she mumbled, sitting in the passenger seat while I loaded up her luggage. 

Closing the trunk, I got in the driver's seat and started the car, glancing over at her. "Buckle up." 

She merely grumbled, waving a dismissive hand. 

Sighing in annoyance, I leaned over her and grabbed the seatbelt, growing still as she pushed her sunglasses up to her head and stared at me, making my breath hitch. 

"The sun isn't even out yet," she said. 

Ignoring her, I swallowed before clearing my throat and secured her seatbelt before my own. "You can sleep the whole eleven hours and five minutes it takes to get to Greece," I said. 

Folding her arms across her chest, she closed her eyes while I began driving. It had barely been two minutes when she gasped and jumped upright. "My passport!" 

I glanced over at her. "Do you want me to turn the car around?" 

"Wait, it might be in my bag. Pull over." 

Exhaling softly, I pulled over to the side and both of us unbuckled ourselves and got out, rounding up to the trunk. I pulled it open and she grabbed her backpack and began digging through it, panic radiating off of her. 

Taking a step back so she had enough room to empty her beg, my gaze dropped to her ass. A laugh crawled up my throat and she glared at me over her shoulder. 

"What is so funny?" She then followed my gaze. "I know you like my ass, but really?" 

I stepped closer and grabbed her shoulders, turning her away from me and dropping my chin to her shoulder, my lips brushing against her ear as I pulled out the passport from her back pocket. "Really," I whispered, holding it in front of her. 

Her eyes snapped to mine as she faced me, both of us staring at each other for a moment, our breaths shallow. 

She swallowed nervously before facing ahead and snatching her passport from me, tucking it into her backpack as she cleared her throat. 

A low and dark chuckle escaped me as I grabbed her waist and gave a squeeze before moving away, my hands sliding off. Jules quickly got back into the car and I pressed the button to close the trunk before getting back in and resuming the drive. 

"I'll keep your passport once we're on the flight." 

"I can take care of my own things," she scoffed. 

"I know. But I don't want you to lose it. The decision is yours," I shrugged. It didn't take long for us to arrive and board the plane. "You go on ahead. I'll make sure the luggage is taken care of," I told her. 

"Okay. Give me my bag," she replied, reaching for her backpack. 

In return, I held it away. "I'll bring it, don't worry." 

She watched me warily. 

"Mr. Lewis, the luggage, please," I said, handing over our suitcases. Once I saw them being loaded, I climbed up the staircase and entered the jet, spotting Jules near the back, sitting in a seat and staring out the window. Making my way over, I settled down right in front of her before placing her bag on the ground. 

Before either one of us could utter a word to each other, the flight attendant walked over and interrupted. "Good morning, Mr. Lukov." 

I glanced at the woman before looking back at Jules while mumbling, "Morning." 

"My name is Summer, I'm here to service you in any way you need during this flight. Please don't hesitate to ask for whatever you need." 

Impatiently, I said to her, "Sure." Momentarily, I forgot what I would say to Jules when I read the look on her face. 

She watched the attendant with eyes narrowed to slits and her jaw clenched, lips pursed in annoyance. 

"Can I get you anything, sir?" she continued. 

Jules's gaze cut to mine and she shot me a pointed look. I bit down a smirk and stared at her blankly. "Can we get two glasses of white wine, please?" Jules asked, taking matters into her own hands. 

"We have your favorite champagne as well, Mr. Lukov," the woman continued, completely ignoring Jules. 

Jules scoffed lightly in disbelief and shook her head. "Excuse me." 

"Yes?" the attendant huffed at her. 

"I asked if you could bring my fiancé and me two glasses of white wine." 

"Pardon me?" the attendant sputtered. 

"Should I repeat it again?" She lifted a sharp and daring brow at the girl. 

"Get my fiancé whatever she wants," I said without tearing my gaze off of Jules. 

Jules pushed her sunglasses up to her head, flashing the diamond ring at the attendant with a smile while I bit back a laugh. 

"Of course, madam," the hostess nodded before walking away. 

When Jules looked at me, the corners of my mouth lifted and I couldn't hold in the smirk. "I bet you're having fun, aren't you?" She glowered at me. 

"I'm sorry that I find your jealousy amusing." 

"Jealousy?" she scoffed incredulously. "I am not jealous." 

"Mm-hmm," I agreed sarcastically. 

"I'm not," she said slowly, leaning forward, "but even if I was, which I'm not, it's warranted. You're wearing a wedding ring." 

"But we're not married." 

"We are engaged." 

"Again?" I lifted a brow at her and she went still, growing quiet. 

"Temporarily, yes," she ground out. 

"I see," I mused, leaning back in my seat as we prepared to take off. "You don't have to worry," I chuckled, "I've only got eyes for you, Milaya." 

"You're so full of shit," she snorted. 

"Ready for take-off?" I asked, relishing the possessiveness she showed again. 

"Ready as I'll ever be. As long as you keep that flight attendant away." 

Smiling softly, I stood up and moved to the seat beside hers, pushing away the armrest between our seats. "Better?" 

She rolled her eyes at me. "Shut up." 

 »»————　➴　————««

"How could I have slept for hours and still feel like I haven't slept in ages?" she mumbled, pulling her backpack onto her shoulder while I wheeled both our suitcases towards the hotel entrance. 

"You were restless in your sleep," I told her as the doorman held open the door for us. 

"Were you watching me?" She turned to me, entertained. 

"When I wasn't watching the flight attendant?" I smirked, lifting a brow at her. 

Her grin fell and she gave me a push, rolling her eyes and looking away from me. 

Laughing softly, I pulled her back to my side. "I'm only joking." 

"I wouldn't know, would I?" she mumbled with an ignorant shrug. 

I would spell it out for her if she needed me to. It was her, it was only ever her. It was always Jules and it always would be. 

She is the love of my life. Even if I don't have her in the end, I'll always love her. 

"Did you tell your parents we've landed?" I asked. 

"Yes. Do you see them anywhere? If you do, hide." 

We came to a stop by the couches in the lobby and I scanned the area, recognizing them as they got out of the elevator. "I see them now," I mumbled. 

"Dear God," she whispered, putting her forehead down on my arm, and closing her eyes. I elbowed her and she stood upright as they reached us. "Hey," she grinned, giving both her parents quick hugs. 

"You're just in time. Alex and Naomi went out tonight, they should be back any minute. Say hi to them before you check-in, hmm?" Maisie beamed at us. 

"Sure," I nodded with a polite smile since Jules refused to reply. 

"Is Audrey here yet?" Jules asked. 

"Yes, she got in earlier this evening," Luke replied. 

"Oh, shit!" We both spun around, recognizing her voice as she stumbled in with an overflowing amount of shopping bags in her arms. "Hey lovebirds," she teased, walking over and dumping her bags on the couch, giving Jules a hug and ignoring me. "You made it." 

"I take it she knows what we're doing," I whispered in Jules's ear. 

She turned to me and spoke through her smile, "It was her idea." 

"Oh, here they come," Maisie announced. 

Jules and I faced the entrance as Alex entered hand in hand with Naomi. "Hey," Jules chuckled, giving him and then Naomi a quick hug. 

"Oh, I was waiting for you to land. We're going shopping tomorrow, you're coming, right?" Naomi asked Jules immediately. 

"Uh... sure," she agreed. 

Alex's gaze met mine. 

"Alex," I greeted with a nod, keeping my hands tucked into my pockets. 

"Christian," he said curtly. 

"Here we go," Audrey sighed, sitting on the arm of the couch before kicking the back of my leg. I glared at her. "Be nice," she mouthed. "He's getting married," she muttered after that. 

Jules cleared her throat and grabbed my arm, pulling me forward. "Christian, this is Naomi, the bride-to-be. Naomi, this is Christian," she introduced us. 

"It's nice to meet you," I said, holding out a hand for her to shake. 

"It's nice to— oh..." she frowned when Alex grabbed her hand before she could shake mine. 

I exhaled, rolling my tongue along the inside of my cheek as I stared at him. "Seriously?" I asked. 

"Seriously," he shrugged nonchalantly. 

"And uh, sorry, who exactly is Christian?" Naomi questioned, glancing between Jules and me. 

"Her fiancé," I answered, staring back at Alex, my jaw clenching before I looked at Naomi, pulling on a small, curt smile. "I'm her fiancé." 

"What great brothers we have," Audrey snickered, gathering her bags. 

"The best," Jules scoffed sarcastically, giving Alex a slight push. "Come on. Play nice, boys." She then faced me. "We should check-in." 

I continued to glare right back at Alex. 

"Christian." She took my jaw, turning my head so I faced her, catching me by surprise. "Come on," she said, pulling me along with her, slipping her hand into mine.

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Chapter 28

it's finally happening. the act has begun.

next ch: bride