Page 62 of Succumbed

My phone buzzes on the kitchen island as I pull wine glasses out of the cabinet. I’d grabbed a white and a red from the cellar first thing when I got home. I also perused my fridge for finger foods but came up short. Whatever Linc and Shane might say, wine can be dinner sometimes. Setting the last glass down, I snag my phone.

Linc: we’ll be there in two

Me: Perfect. Door’s unlocked, let yourselves in.

Linc: there’s a dirty joke in there somewhere

Shane: You’re a child

Linc: front door or back door?

Shane: Seriously?

I giggle, shaking my head at their antics. Wouldn’t hurt to play along a little.

Me: Up to you.

Linc: !!

Shane: Lex…

Linc: how do you expect me to talk about Solum when you drop shit like that in the group text?!

Declan: Easy. Talk about Solum or you can walk your ass home.

The faint noise of car doors slamming sounds from out front. Moments later, the door opens and Linc’s playful tone fills the hall.

“Given where we are, Dec, that’s not really a threat.”

I walk toward the three of them as they toe off their shoes. Declan glares at Linc, reaching over to smack him upside the head.

“Knock it off.”

“Hey!” Linc ducks away and turns to me, fake-pouting. “You see what I put up with?”

I cross my arms and smile. “Careful, Linc. The vein in your brother’s forehead is already out. That doesn’t bode well for our productivity tonight.”

“Fuck off, all of you,” Declan grumbles, reaching up to rub his forehead.

Shane cocks a brow at me as he saunters over. He’s wearing dark jeans and a white tee–the first time I’ve seen him out of a button down…if we don’t count the moment he stripped naked and revealed all that gorgeous tattooed skin. My eyes rove over him as he draws closer, appreciating the veins wrapping his forearms.

“He’s in rare form tonight,” Shane whispers, leaning in to kiss my forehead as he grips my upper arm. “Go easy on him?”

Grinning, I look up at him and shake my head. “Never.”

Shane’s eyes flash as he chuckles. “Atta girl.”

The easy praise from his lips sets off a flurry of wings in my belly. As I’m about to respond, Shane’s eyes lock on something behind me and he straightens, stepping back. I turn to see what caught his eye.

“Whoa, am I interrupting something?”

At the sound of the new voice, Declan and Linc freeze, then walk over to surround me, their squabble forgotten. Wait…are they protecting me right now? All three of them? What on earth…

I brush off the thought. “Jax, what are you–”

“Well, I know it’s a long shot, but I was kind of hoping to raid your fridge.” My affable houseguest rubs his neck and smiles sheepishly.

“There’s no chance of you finding anything, man.” Linc reaches out a hand. “You must be the nephew. I’m Linc.”

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