Page 296 of By His Rule

“And yet true,” Hendrix mocks as he pulls the back door open and climbs in.

Wilder blows out a heavy breath but does the same thing.

Kian is shaking his head, waiting with the passenger door open for me.

“Ignore them.” I laugh.

“Never, they remind me far too much of me and my brothers,” he confesses as he wraps his arms around my waist.

“I can only imagine,” I muse, staring up at him with my heart pounding a little too hard in my chest.

What is it about Kian Callahan that makes all the ugly things surrounding us seem like nothing?

Of course, I feel totally violated that our private moment last night has been plastered all over the internet. Of course, the toxic things that were said about me stung, but they’re just words written by a hurt man. A hurt man with a questionable state of mind.

It might be hot news in certain circles now, but give it an hour, and it’ll be old and forgotten. Someone more famous will do something much more gossip-worthy.

“We were trouble,” he says with a smirk.

“Some might say you still are.”

“Touché.”

My stomach growls as he holds me.

“I guess I should feed my girl. Do you know somewhere good to eat?”

“In this town?” I ask, cocking my head to the side.

Disappointment washes through his expression.

“Of course I do. There is only one place to go for breakfast.”

I quickly peck him on the lips before dropping into the car, waiting for him to join us.

70

KIAN

“So, are you two a couple?” I ask innocently after Lorelei and Noelle excuse themselves to use the bathroom.

I know the answer, but I can’t help myself.

Wilder barks out a laugh while Hendrix’s cheeks blaze bright red.

“No, we’re just friends.”

“Riight,” I muse while Wilder continues to laugh.

“He’s too much of a pussy to do anything, but he’s totally in love with her.”

“I’m not,” Hendrix snaps. “She’s my best friend.”

“Who you want sucking your cock,” Wilder points out.

The two of them continue bickering and I sit back with a smile playing on my lips. It reminds me of good times with my brothers.

Sure, we’re still fairly close. Or at least, King and I are. Since Kieran embarked on his own path, we’ve lost our tight team, and I’m not too old and independent to admit that I miss him sometimes.

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