Page 82 of Smolder

“I’m not leaving you,” she replied in a quiet yet firm tone.

Damn stubborn girl.

“Baby, please,” I begged, but it was too late for all that.

The doorknob turned, and although it was locked, I knew it was coming open anyway. The loud sound of it being kicked in made Royal grab me as a small scream escaped her. I reached back and placed a hand on her to reassure her that she was safe.

My brother came strolling inside as if he hadn’t just broken down the goddamn door. His gaze slowly scanned the place as he took a cigarette from his pocket and stuck it between his teeth, then reached for his lighter.

“Not bad. Cozy. I like it,” he said, then lit the cigarette before finally looking at me.

No one was barreling in behind him, but the grip Royal had on my shirt tightened.

“I’d be impressed if I wasn’t fucking annoyed,” he said, then took a pull from the habit in his mouth before taking it out. “Had to leave Capri. You know how much I hate that.”

“Where are the others?” I asked him as I watched him step over the door and move farther into the cabin.

“They’re a little behind,” he said, sticking the cigarette back in his mouth. “Figured I’d get here first. Help you sort things out.”

I looked outside, not sure how behind they were. “I don’t need help sorting out anything.”

Thatcher glanced briefly at Royal standing behind me. “Looks like you do. The question is, Romeo, is this one different? Or is that sensitive heart of yours doing shit that can get you killed for someone who isn’t worth it?”

Royal released my shirt and came around me, her eyes looking up at me, panicking. “Killed?” she asked.

I gently grabbed her by the shoulders. “No one is going to kill me. He’s a dick. Don’t listen to the things he says.”

She was on the verge of fucking tears. I didn’t care how damn psycho my brother was; this time, I wasn’t backing down from him. He didn’t get to come in here and scare her like this.

“Our father might not kill you since you’re Mom’s favorite, but Blaise Hughes isn’t happy. In fact, the boss wants you brought directly to him. You broke orders, little brother. Took information we needed and ran.”

Dammit! He needed to shut up. She was about to lose it.

“Thatcher,” I warned him, “don’t.”

The corner of his mouth twitched, and he took another pull before taking the cigarette from his mouth. “If she can’t handle something like that, then she’s not gonna last long in this world of ours.”

I moved her beside me and took a step in his direction. “Shut your goddamn mouth!” I snarled.

“Sebastian,” Royal called.

“Jesus, Thatch. You weren’t supposed to come in here and pick a fight,” Wilder said, and I swung my glare from my brother to him as he walked in, surveying the door on the ground. “Was this necessary?”

Thatcher raised the cigarette back to his mouth and held it between his teeth. “It was locked.”

Wilder gave my brother an exasperated look. “So, you smashed it in? You couldn’t knock?” He waved a hand at me. “It’s Sebastian. Not the drug cartel.”

Thatcher smirked, but said nothing.

“Where are the others?” I asked Wilder.

He shot my brother another look before answering, “They won’t get here until tomorrow. Weather grounded the plane. We left before alerting them that I’d found your location. It was either that or let Thatch come alone, and I wasn’t doing that.”

Royal moved closer to my side. I needed to know how much trouble I was in and where things stood with the Dancastle situation, but asking with her already on the verge of a damn panic attack wasn’t an option.

I turned to look down at her. “Ace, go upstairs. Stay there. I’m going to step outside and talk to them. I won’t be long.”

She shook her head, her eyes shifting to Thatcher. “No, I don’t trust him.” Then, she glanced at Wilder. “Who is that?”

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