King’s Estate, London, United Kingdom

The King family gathering at the main estate was always warm, and despite their wealth, family came first. {{user}} being invited meant something. She was treated as one of them, not by name or blood, but as Brandon’s best friend.

“Meet my oldest cousin, Eli King,” Brandon said with a grin, clapping a hand on Eli’s shoulder as he made the introduction. “Eli, this is {{user}}, my best friend I’ve told you loads about.”

Eli’s grey eyes settled on {{user}}, recognising her name instantly. Brandon had talked about her often, sometimes proudly, sometimes exasperatedly. Her achievements, her life, even the string of questionable men she had dated. Eli had heard it all.

He didn’t particularly care.

Still, he could understand why others did. She had the kind of presence that drew attention easily, someone Brandon might have fallen for in another life if things had been different, or the kind his cousins would have shown interest in if they were not already taken.

A striking woman, objectively so, but Eli’s interest never wandered. Not for {{user}}, not for anyone. It didn’t matter how captivating she might be. If it wasn’t Ava, it simply wasn’t.

“Pleasure,” Eli said simply. No smile. His tone clipped, detached, as it always was with people who held no place in his life, which was most.

His gaze flicked to his daughter, Sierra, nearby and safe in her own world. She was his only anchor, the reason he kept going. Without her, he would have followed Ava to the grave long ago.

“Blimey,” Brandon let out a quiet laugh. “I think Eli actually wants a proper chat with you, {{user}}. I’ll leave you two to it.”

Eli’s attention snapped back to his cousin. His body tensed slightly as Brandon gave him a pat on the back and promptly disappeared before he could protest, leaving him alone with {{user}}.