Knotted By The Devilish Alpha Brothers

Chapter 65: Chapter 65: just an act

Jade froze. The volume of his voice hit her harder than the words. She stared at him, stunned, then spoke in a soft tone, ”You raised your voice at me. You never do that.”

Dylan dragged a hand down his face. ”I’m tired of hearing it. That name is a curse. I’m sick of her making everyone—including me—believe she was the smartest person in every room she walked into. And somehow she still couldn’t die quietly. She just keeps showing up. Haunting everything.”

Jade stepped closer, hands raised slightly as if calming a skittish animal.

”Dylan. Calm down. Amelia will be dealt with soon enough.”

The sharp edge of his anger dulled a fraction. He stopped pacing, exhaled hard through his nose, and looked at her.

”She’s coming here.”

Jade blinked. ”What? Why? You just said you hate her. Now you want her in the territory?”

”It’s not my choice.” He flatly added. ”The Ellington brothers sent word. They’re visiting. And she’s coming with them.”

”Why are they coming?”

”I don’t know. And I don’t care.” He fixed her with a hard stare. ”I have one job for you.”

Jade’s shoulders tensed. ”What is it?”

”Keep Amelia away from the brothers. And keep her in a good mood while she’s here.”

For a second Jade just stared at him like he had lost his mind.

”You can’t be serious. You know how much I hate her. You know how long I had to sit there and watch her be all soft and devoted with you. How long I waited before I finally got to have you. And now you want me to keep her happy? What—are you thinking of taking her back because you’ve decided I’m not as competent as she is?”

Dylan’s jaw tightened.

”That isn’t the reason. That’s your insecurity talking. I never said you weren’t smart.”

Jade raised her voice, the hurt bleeding from it.

”Every time I finish something you make some remark about how Amelia would have done it faster. Did you ever think she pushed herself like that because she wanted to impress you more? I don’t need to do that because I’m your wife. I have the title that she desperately worked years for.”

”I don’t have the strength for this argument right now.”

”I’m not arguing.” Jade’s arms crossed tightly over her chest. ”When was the last time we were even intimate? We used to fuck almost every day behind her back. Now it’s like the second she’s not around, you’re bored of me.”

Dylan let out a short, humorless breath.

”I liked the thrill of it. The thrill is gone. And my head is too full to start worrying about satisfying every horny impulse you have.”

He stepped in, cupped her cheek with one hand, and kissed her—slow and firm enough to shut the rising protest down. When he pulled back, his voice dropped as he coaxed her.

Even so, the residual bitterness didn’t fully leave her voice. ”I still don’t want to keep her in a good mood.”

Dylan’s thumb brushed once along her cheek before he lowered his hand. ”It’s only because the brothers will be around. That’s the only reason.”

Jade let out a short, skeptical breath.

”I don’t think those three will care if she’s treated badly. They’re probably doing the same thing to her back at their estate. I bet the whole ’cherished wife’ act is just for show.”

Dylan considered that. It did sound like them. The Ellington brothers were not known for softness or sentiment

. And yet the memory of the ceremony—the way they had touched Amelia on that stage, the intensity that hadn’t looked entirely performative—sat uncomfortably in the back of his mind.

He wasn’t sure what to make of it. What he was sure of was the order from the Underworld mistress. She knew more than he did. Ignoring her instructions was not an option.

”If you’re going to do anything,” he said finally, ”don’t do it in front of them. Got it?”

Jade’s mouth curved into a thin, sinister smile. A dozen unkind ideas were already arranging themselves behind her eyes.

”Got it.”

**

The next morning, sunlight cut across Amelia’s room in clean lines.

She stood in front of the tall mirror while Skye fastened the last details of her outfit—a beautiful long-sleeved dress that stopped well above the knee, the neckline cut just low enough to show a hint of cleavage. The fabric moved fluidly when she shifted her weight, elegant without looking fragile.

Skye stepped back and gave a critical look.

”Remember the etiquette. Posture. Expression. Don’t let anyone provoke you into looking unstable. And when you see your ex—” her tone sharpened with dry warning, ”—try not to start drooling. It would be embarrassing for everyone involved.”

Amelia met her own reflection and gave a small, humorless huff.

”Please. The only thing I’m likely to do when I see Dylan is wonder how I ever mistook that walking disappointment for a prize.”

She glanced at Skye. ”Thanks for always dressing me up. I’ve never looked this good in my life.”

Skye’s expression didn’t change, but something quiet and reluctant stirred behind her eyes.

She is definitely beautiful. If she’d been born into a stronger bloodline... if she’d had real power from the start... men would have lined up for her.

The thought irritated her the moment it formed. She shoved it aside.

”Don’t let it go to your head,” she said in mockery. ”You’re still average. You can’t compare to women who actually meet higher standards.”

Amelia’s mouth tightened. ”I know. You don’t have to be that harsh about it.”

Skye dismissively replied. ”It’s the truth. We’re not friends. I’m not obligated to stroke your ego just so you can feel better about being the lesser option in every room you walk into.”

Amelia’s reply came quick and dry. ”Good. Because if I ever need validation from someone who spends half her energy that she doesn’t care, I’ll be sure to look elsewhere.”

A soft flutter of wings interrupted the tension. Swifty landed neatly on the arm Amelia automatically extended. She stroked the silver feathers once with her free hand.

”I wish I could take you with me.” she spoke softly.”I don’t think the brothers would allow it, though.”

She set out fresh food and water for the bird, murmured a quiet goodbye, then followed Skye out of the room.

They reached the ground floor living room a few minutes later. The three Ellington brothers were already waiting. At the sound of footsteps they turned in near unison.

Their gazes landed on Amelia.

For a split second none of them spoke. Then the same word left all three mouths at once, carrying a note of genuine awe.

”Beautiful.”