Page 118 of Sinister Intentions

Again, my brothers in the front seat snickered, and I did my darndest to pretend they were not here. I thought we were overthis. But obviously not. I grabbed Jemma’s neck and squeezed until she turned and faced me.

Her eyes flashed, and she yanked her head from my grasp. “What? I’m just surprised since you didn’t share your plans with me. Am I not allowed to be surprised?”

“Look.” I laid my hand on her thigh. “I know I’m bossy. I know you’re not happy about the situation, but it is what it is,” I told her, feeling a pang of guilt for the way I was pushing my agenda, and her.

“Really?” she snapped, then pulled my fingers off her thigh. “You could try not bulldozing over me, for starters.”

She shoved the car door open and stormed out, her boots echoing on the concrete.

I followed, and thanks to my long strides, I quickly caught up to her. I grabbed her arm. “You’re right,” I conceded, my jaw clenched. “I’ll try to be more considerate in the future and talk to you before making plans or decisions that concern both of us. But what doesn’t change is we’re still getting married. And we’re talking to your father. Those two are non-negotiable.”

“Fine,” she huffed, turning away from me and refusing to meet my gaze. “But don’t expect me to play the obedient, little wife.”

I cupped her face with both of my hands and waited until she looked up at me. “Never did,” I murmured, watching her closely as we stood in silence, the tension between us palpable. “It’s the opposite.”

She couldn’t be an obedient, little wife even if she tried, and it was exactly why she caught my attention, why she fascinated me so much, and why I was so obsessed with her.

Why I needed to have her. Why I needed to make her mine.

Jemma cocked her head and stared at me, her eyes searching mine.

For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of something soft and warm in her gaze. But then she blinked, and it was gone, replaced by a wariness.

I dragged her closer and pulled her into my arms. “You’re perfect for me just the way you are,” I whispered against her temple.

She relaxed against me and sighed. “You’re giving me whiplash,” she whispered.

“I know.”

“You’re not so bad yourself—sometimes—when you’re not trying to rule the world, bark orders, and waltz over everyone and everything that stands in your way,” she whispered back.

I smiled. She wasn’t wrong. But that’s how you got what you wanted in life. That’s what it took. Take what you want. Give everything you’ve got. At least then you wouldn’t have any regrets later.

I let her go, took her hand, kissed her palm, then wove our fingers together and led her to the elevator.

We would get there somehow.

My brothers closed the distance. At least they had the decency to give us a little bit of privacy. Not that it would get them out of the doghouse for tagging along in the first place.

The doors slid open with a soft ding, revealing Hawk, Peaches, and Goofy inside.

And before I could react, Jemma broke away from me and walked straight into Hawk’s open arms.

What the actual fuck?

Fire spread through my veins and settled in my chest. I clenched my jaw as I watched her disappear in his embrace. A surge of red-hot jealousy coursed through me, hot and unexpected. When exactly did she meet Hawk? And why was she this comfortable with him?

Peaches and Goofy looked equally surprised, as did Dante and Hero.

“Hey, you,” Hawk said, his deep voice rumbling as he tightened his arms around her. “It’s good to see you, Little One.”

Little One?

Excuse me?

I stepped into the elevator, my eyes never leaving Jemma and Hawk. And I barely held myself back. Hawk’s gaze met mine over her head, and whatever he saw in my eyes made him raise an eyebrow in question.

Did he really not realize what he was doing?

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