Page 89 of It Starts With A No

He shot her a bored glare.

“Just saying, since you don’t have much experience in that area.” She beamed. “Thanks for letting me stay here.”

“If you change your mind and want to go to the hotel,” Seth’s phone buzzed in his pocket, “just let me know.” He cocked his head to the side. “I’m next to you.” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “That’s Oliver’s room.”

“Goodnight, Seth.”

His phone buzzed again. “Goodnight,” he said again and waited until he heard the click of the door lock before jogging down the stairs. He didn’t have to take out his phone to know who was texting him.

He paused when he got to the door.

Glancing over his shoulder, he wondered if he should let Clary know that he’d be heading out. I’ll keep it short. Besides, he didn’t need her worrying about what was about to happen.

Chapter 17

“She seems nice.”

Seth frowned at Oliver’s words. He should be glad to have someone on his side, but he wasn’t. You’re my favorite brother.

He’d always guarded himself against jealousy. He had to, so he wouldn’t fall for Holly’s tricks. She had tried to use that to break the bond he and his brothers shared. Unfortunately for her, she chose Oliver to shower her love on.

Oliver was the youngest of them. He was also the most considerate. Whenever he received something special from Holly, he would share it with all of them. He refused to be the only one to escape punishment.

But right now, Seth was just annoyed with Oliver.

“She’s bad news,” Elton said.

And Elton. Seth couldn’t be sure who was more annoying to him right now. “And you’re like a broken record.”

His three brothers were seated around the dining table. The last time they’d sat at the dining table together was when they were discussing Aldric’s problem. More specifically, their problem with Aldric bringing women home.

They’d voted to make a rule: Aldric wasn’t allowed to bring home women he’d dated for less than six months. He’d been annoyed, but he complied. And since then, he hadn’t brought anyone home.

“I vote that Clary Fiore has to leave and can never set foot in this place,” Elton continued without even waiting for Seth to settle down.

Zane turned to Seth, waiting for him to say something.

“You’re on his side?” Seth asked. He hadn’t counted on that. When he informed Zane that he was bringing Clary home and she’d be staying with them for a few days, his eldest brother had replied with a simple ‘okay.’

Zane folded his arms across his chest. “I just thought you’d have something to say about that.”

Seth nodded. “She stays.” He sat and leaned toward Elton, who was sitting across from him. “The end.” Once he’d said that, he stood.

“Aren’t you going to say something?” Elton asked Zane. “I told you who she is. She’s definitely up to something. Why do you think she’s sticking with Seth?”

Seth pushed his chair back.

“Sit,” Zane said. “I have questions too.”

Seth frowned.

“She deflected it well, but I didn’t forget my question. How did the two of you meet?”

Seth ran his tongue under his teeth and sat. “I had my reasons.” And he wasn’t going to discuss this in front of Elton and Oliver.

Zane’s eyes twitched.

“I’ll make this clear.” He turned to Elton. “I approached her. I’m the one who drew a gun-toting lunatic to her. I’m the reason she got hurt.”

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