Page 20 of Our Blood, Our Pain

“Yep. You both are.”

“Both? Nah, Jules doesn’t like me like that. Also, he’s straight.”

“Trust me, Kai. Jules is the same as the brothers. Their love language and foreplay is asshole possessiveness, with a hint of violence if anyone tries to touch you. I guarantee, Jules would fuck up anyone who got near you.”

“He’s straight.”

“So was I, and look at me now.”

“But…”

“You need to stop overthinking things, Kai. Take on one thing at a time. Get adjusted here. Jules isn’t going anywhere. Maybe it’ll fizzle out, but my advice, gain your footing here with the respect of Lev and D. The rest can come later.”

“You’re right. Thank you.”

“Anytime. You want a refill?”

“Please.”

Relief. That’s all I feel after unloading my fears onto Seb. Safe to say I think Seb is awesome and might now be my top confidante. He’s right. I need to situate myself in the fold of the brothers first. Everything else will have to take a backseat. Even though I want to rush into anything Jules would give me with both feet.

13

JULES

“Jules, you can head out. Simon will stay,” Lev says.

“Okay. Should I go over to Starlight? Will Dima need me?”

“Kai’s there. I’m sure he has it covered.”

“I never said he didn’t have it covered. But he’s only just started.”

“He isn’t technically working, Jules. Dima just wanted him to get familiar with the bar. You know this. So why don’t you take your sickening pining ass over to check on him.”

“Pining? I’m not pining. I’m looking out for him.”

“So you keep saying, but I ain’t your therapist. So fuck off and do whatever you need to do.”

“Charming. See ya later.”

I don’t get a response, so I drive over to Starlight. I genuinely am only trying to help, I don’t think it’s wrong for me to keep an eye out for Kai. I promised to take care of him for Jenny, and keep him under my wing.

Parked, I walk toward the club and head inside. As I walk into the main area, all of the tables are full of happy patrons as usual. The lights are dimmed in a sultry red that casts over the stage where a jazz band plays alongside a beautiful woman who is singing vocals. Her raspy voice carries over the room, blanketing it in all things seductive with arousal intent.

Walking further into the bar, I stop short when I spot Kai at the bar, speaking to a young woman who I don’t recognize. She has long, thick black hair and is wearing a backless knee length fitted dress. I can’t lie, she’s hot as fuck. That’s until she throws her head back dramatically, laughing at something that Kai has said into her ear, very closely into her ear. I clench my fists, trying to quell the storm brewing inside me. My stomach tightens when the woman places her hand on Kai’s arm, a clear sign of flirting. A tornado of pure jealousy takes over my entire being, and I would quite happily eliminate the bitch to get her sights off Kai. He should be focused on his job, not flirting and trying to get some ass while he’s still on trial.

Feeling eyes on me, I turn to the side to see Seb behind the bar watching me, a deep frown mars his face as he purses his lips. He then looks over to Kai, then back to me again and a slow smile spreads across his face, which confuses me more than the judgemental look he just gave me. As I look back to Kai and notice the girl has gotten closer to him and Kai hasn’t backed away, I can’t hold off any longer and walk over with determined steps—target in sight. As I get closer, a hand grabs my arm, and I look to see that it’s Seb. How did he get from behind the bar so fast?

“Calm down, Jules. Let him have some fun before you go all psycho on his ass.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You’re just like the brothers. A bunch of alpha assholes. Fine, I can’t stop you, but take my advice, and don’t be hard on him.”

“That’s awful fucking advice, and I’ll go as hard on him as I like.”

Seb laughs and turns to leave.

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