Page 130 of The Pact

Damian swivels and I stare at him, unwilling to let Wes go yet.

“I can try to track down who posted this. Find their IP address. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s worth a shot. Maybe we can get some answers,” Damian offers.

Turning back to Wesley, I notice his brown eyes are troubled. My chest aches, hoping that this won’t make him spiral. There isn’t much I can do, although there is something I can offer him. The same thing he offered me.

I grasp his chin and force him to look down at me. “You’re not going through this alone. You have a support system—us.” I repeat the words he told me not so long ago. That’s enough to earn me a little smile, then a kiss.

Cole heads back to the kitchen. I let go of Wes to go after him. “Hey.” I grab him by the arm before he can get to the dining room. “What’s going on with you?”

He stills under my touch, his body tense. Is this all from work? Cole finally turns to face me, anger I expect for some reason. He’s been on edge today, so that would make sense. But what I see is sadness. Any frustration I felt towards him melts away.

“Come here.” Pulling him towards me, I hug him. “Tell me. I can help, whatever you need.” I stare up at him, waiting for an answer. I’ll do anything to take his sadness away.

Leaning down, he kisses me. “I’m sorry, my love. For this morning and lately in general. I have a lot on my mind.”

I appreciate the apology, however, I want him to give me more. “What is it? I’m here for you, always.” Cole smiles down at me, then kisses my forehead.

“Nothing you need to worry yourself about. It’s temporary shit that will pass.”

Disappointment swells. I wish he’d confide in me. I could help him, even if it’s only to be someone he can vent to. But he’s not letting me in and I don’t know why. At the very least, I know that he’ll share whatever it is with his brothers. Earlier, Damian told me that it was work related, so at least he’s not bottling it up.

I don’t push him on it anymore. Eventually, he’ll see that he can open up to me about those things. He doesn’t need to be perfect all the time. Cole can have hard days too.

44

THEA

I can’t fucking do this. I’ve been pacing in my room for ten minutes. My hands are shaking. What was I thinking? I can’t show up with four guys to Cassie’s party. That’s it, I’m telling them not to come—I’ll go alone. Shit. I can’t do that. That would break their hearts.

When I brought up the party last week, Damian and Cole seemed hesitant at first, but eventually, they all agreed. If I tell them to stay home, they’ll think I’m ashamed of them. When in reality I’m ashamed of myself for being such a coward. No! Woman up, Thea.

“Thea, we have to go. Traffic is going to be a bitch,” Damian calls out.

Smoothing my hands over the emerald satin of my strappy floor-length gown, I check myself in the mirror before I leave. I’ve pinned my hair up, leaving a few dark curls to frame my face. I’ve gone with a smokey look that makes my blue eyes pop, added pink to brighten my cheeks, and kept my lips neutral with a coat of gloss.

My handbag matches my nude five-inch heels. I look entirely unlike myself—sultry and elegant. The slit in the dress hits the top of my thigh. Maybe it’s too much, however, I have nothing else to wear.

Pushing out a breath, I force my anxiety out and square my shoulders confidently. Here goes nothing.

With each step up the stairs, I let the worry fade away and try to harness the excitement I felt the day Cassie invited me. I wonder what the guys are wearing—that helps distract me.

I’ve only ever seen Damian in a suit. They’re all beyond sexy in their everyday clothes. In tailored suits, they are going to be batting the ladies away tonight.

Hitting the top step, I see them all standing in the kitchen—beers in hand. They haven’t noticed me yet, so I silently appreciate the sight of my four boyfriends waiting for me. Clearing my throat, they turn all at once. My breath rushes out and I’m biting my lip—they look so much better than I imagined.

I watch as their eyes take me in, feeling my cheeks redden under their gazes.

“Fuck me,” Wesley growls, his eyes darkening.

That confidence I was trying to muster comes full force, going straight to my head—giving me a buzz. He knows how to do that to me, how to pull out some inner lioness who knows exactly how much power she holds. I saunter towards him, tilting my head to gaze into his eyes. “Already have,” I tease and give a coy smile.

“Careful, blue eyes, we might not make it to the party if you toy with me.” His hands rest on my hips. I don’t miss how he digs his fingers into my skin—a reminder of what he wants to do to me every time we’re together.

My palms smooth over Wesley’s deep blue jacket—it matches his pressed and fitted pants. Beneath it, he’s wearing a casual shirt. He’s the least dressed up of the four. I smile at that. It makes sense. That feeling of knowing what to expect from him and who he truly is comforts me.

I push up on my tiptoes and kiss him. Thankfully, the heels make it easier than usual to reach his mouth. I should wear them more often.

My eyes shift to Cole, who’s standing next to him. For once, I don’t have to stare up at him. Still, I give him my innocent doe eyes, knowing that’s exactly what he likes.

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