Page 51 of Chase

“However,” he says, “I did also say that you were a big girl capable of making her own decisions, and I wasn’t confident that you would leave on our suggestion.”

“You were right.” He chuckles softly, then his eyes move to his brother and he raises an eyebrow in jest.

“Told you so,” Russell goads.

“It was worth a try,” Connor replies with a sigh. “So what's the plan, then?”

I unwrap myself from his arm and sit forward. I move my focus between them before putting forward my proposal, one I know neither of them will appreciate.

“What if I gain information and pass it to you?” I say, my voice steady although my heart starts to race.

“No,” Connor snaps.

“There has to be information at the hospital. In her office. We need to find out what is going on and stop this insanity now.”

“Law enforcement does, you don’t.”

I glare at Connor, and he does the same right back. Overprotective asshole.

“I’m involved in this, Connor, whether you like it or not. My place of work, my boss, is wrapped up in something dangerous. She was being threatened by mobsters under my nose. I can’t stand by and let this pass over my head as if nothing is happening.”

I push myself up to stand, then walk over to the half-drunk bottle of whiskey, lifting it from the table. The two men watch as I unscrew the cap, place the glass on my lips, and drink. Russell extends a hand in my direction. I move to him, pass him the bottle, and he does the same before offering it to his brother. Connor leans forward and accepts the bottle before taking his swig.

“What if someone innocent gets hurt?” I say.

“Like you, you mean?” Connor shoots back. “You’re innocent in all this. You accepted a job offer, nothing more. I won’t have you hurt.” He pauses before adding, “Or worse.” He sits back in his chair, lifting a single hand and running it through his dark hair. The sound leaving his lips is somewhere between a sigh of inevitability and a groan of annoyance.

“She’s going to do this, with or without us,” Russell tells his brother as if I’m not there. They look at each other with the kind of understanding only siblings have. Silent words pass between them, a full discussion from simple expressions and gestures. “We’re beaten. Nurse Coleman has our arses whipped into submission.”

His explanation makes me giggle, and they both glance over. My mouth dries as two of the most stunning men I’ve ever known look at me as if they want to rip my panties off. What makes my stomach flip is the knowledge that they do, and I’m going to get the opportunity to experience both of them.

“We’re going to have to support this hair-brained scheme, aren’t we?” Connor says to his brother with a knowing look.

“For the sake of having our dicks sucked, I think so.” I freeze on the crude statement, waiting for the fire to ignite and the uncomfortable atmosphere between them to return. Surprisingly, it doesn’t. Connor laughs, then shakes his head. A genuine lightness appears on his face, and I relax a little.

“You’re such an arsehole,” he mutters, then his eyes move back to me. “Information gathering only, Sam. No idiotic attempts at stopping anything when you’re at the hospital on your own. Tell us everything. Every move, every operation, every person who enters that bloody place that makes you unsure.” He swallows as if trying to contain words he doesn’t want to say. “If you risk yourself, I will come down there and drag you out myself.”

“Yes, sir,” I reply in a low whisper, and his pupils dilate. Casually, I step toward him, then lean down and place my lips on his cheek. His hand lifts to mine, warm skin wrapping around my fingers and squeezing gently. I turn, then move to his brother before repeating the same gesture. Russell, however, cups my cheek, running his thumb a fraction below my eye. The duplicated affection feels absurdly normal. No one flinches, and there’s no obvious sign of discomfort.

When I rise, I’m aware of Connor standing. He walks to my side and places his hand on the small of my back. “I’m going to go back to my apartment,” he says. “Give you both time to settle in up here. I’ll see you later?” The simple statement is asked as a question.

“Sure,” I tell him with a small smile. He leans down to peck my lips then turns to his brother and extends a hand. The two men shake firmly.

“I’m trusting you with what I cherish most in this world because it’s what she wants. Don’t fucking screw it up. Hurt her, and I will make good on all those promises I’ve made to kill you.” I wait for Russell’s witty retort or open teasing. It doesn’t come.

“Understood,” he replies sincerely. Connor nods, then leaves. I’m left standing in the center of the penthouse with the man I shouldn’t want but have permission to have.

As the door clicks closed, Russell sighs dramatically. “Well, that was a little awkward,” he says. “Hopefully, this stuff will get easier. So, what do you want to do, Trouble?”

“Um…”

“I’d offer you rampant sex or to go dancing, but I’m kind of hindered just now.” He gestures to his cast. “But I’m sure I can manage to give you a tour of my home.” He leans down and collects his crutches from the floor; strong fingers wrap around the handles after sliding his arms into the grips. I bend and gently help him lift his cast leg from its resting place before he pushes himself up. He towers above me as I stand in front of him. “I meant it when I said you look good in here.”

The energy in the room increases a notch as we stare at one another. We’ve been in close proximity before, but today is different. Today is day one of a new us, a time beginning when we can discover what this truly is. Whether what Russell and I have is simple lust or if the feelings that scream to be acknowledged are more than that. If there’s a possibility to care for and, ultimately, love two men.

But that possibility doesn’t change the sad reality that, one day, they will want me to choose.

Russell hops to my left and then moves toward the open-plan kitchen area, which is similar to his brother’s but bigger. More work surfaces, cupboards, and machines are laid out and ready to use. “Do you like to cook?” I ask him.

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