In Bed With Her Shithead Boss (By Ellie Wynters) novel Chapter 361

As she stood, she nearly collided with Alexei, who had been approaching their table.

"Everything alright?" he asked, his eyes flicking to Lady Maria.

"Perfectly fine," Amelia assured him. "Just catching up with your cousin."

"I bet," Alexei murmured. "Maria's quite the historian when it comes to family matters. Especially those that never actually happened."

Lady Maria's smile froze. "I was merely offering Amelia my support, Alexei. As family should."

"How thoughtful," he replied dryly. "Amelia, my brother was looking for you."

Grateful for the escape, Amelia followed Alexei away from the table.

"Don't let Maria get to you," he said quietly. "She's always had a thing for Niko, but he's never even looked at her that way. She had a thing about becoming a princess and any royal would do."

"I thought she would be a princess, being your second cousin and all."

Alexei shook his head. "No, it doesn't work like that. She is from my mother’s side of the family. My mother wasn’t royal until she married my father."

Amelia replied. "Thank you for the rescue."

Alexei's expression softened. "You're family now or close enough. Family looks out for each other."

The simple declaration touched her deeply. "Thank you, Alexei. That means a lot. Can I ask a question?"

"Please." He invited.

"Isabella… Is she window-dressing? I mean… I-"

Alexei laughed. "How did you guess?"

Amelia blushed. "There isn't any spark between you. I don't know… I get the feeling she is for your protection against Maria."

Alexei nodded. "I'm going to tell you a secret: Isabella is gay and has no interest in me at all. It's one of the reasons she is my date. No chance of crossed signals."

He nodded toward where Niko stood with his father. "For what it's worth, I've never seen my brother so... attentive. He's trying, in his way. Just give him time."

Amelia followed his gaze. Niko looked up at that moment, his eyes finding hers across the room. He excused himself from his father and started toward her.

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