Page 14 of One of Six

A hiss leaves his mouth. "He went out?"

"Came back from the same direction you did." I hold his gaze and notice his flinch. "I suppose you went to see the girl?" I raise a brow.

A curve of his lips tells me I'm right. "She knows it was you who helped her." His jaw clenches as he looks toward the country club. "Her father hit her because she wouldn't give him a name."

Shock runs through me.

"She had a mark on her cheek," he adds.

Our eyes go to Essex, who must sense our attention because he turns his head and looks in our direction. He gives nothing away.

"If you really like this girl, maybe you should tell him," I suggest.

"You know him. I don't think he has any designs on the girl. He followed me to see where I was going."

I sigh. "Look, I know you like this girl, but are you sure you want to get involved with her? It can't go anywhere."

"I'm aware." He grins as we settle with the others. “Let's forget about her today."

"Like that's going to happen," Essex grumbles as I collapse next to him.

"Especially since you got us within shooting distance of the country club," Boone adds.

I enjoy the looks between my brothers as I have given them something to chew on. "A little bird told me that Beatrice has a date with that idiot, Jason Greenwood. The same bird told me he was taking her somewhere nice to eat. Dancing afterwards. Where do you think that place is?" I leave out that the bird also told me that Beatrice might need some help. My brothers can be hot-headed, so it would be better to leave that out for now.

All heads have turned towards the club, and I smile to myself. Oh, she's sweet and damn pretty, but if I were to go after someone from Mount Sterling, it wouldn't be Beatrice. Not when I know my five brothers like her. Maybe two more than the others. This bothers me as I look at Atilio, who is staring off into the distance, and Essex, who is lying on his back, staring up at the sky with dark shades over his eyes, not missing a word that is being said. He knows I am staring and gives me the finger. I shake my head.

It's hot and humid, but the breeze makes it more bearable as I settle down. The boat bobs gently on the water and I enjoy the silence.

Eventually we all fall asleep for a while. It usually happens since we leave early. I don't think Ridge slept at all last night. Unless he got a little shuteye between bouts of fucking Lucinda's brains out. He'll never learn.

We have a good business that provides a good life. As I get older, I wonder where this life is going to take me. I love working with my hands. Dad taught all of us the art of carpentry, which is why we're all so good.

The people over in Mount Sterling don't have a problem with the work we do as long as we don't mess with their daughters. We've always stuck to that. I mean, the work we do is our livelihood. We can't screw that up.

I have a feeling in my gut that a lot of trouble is coming our way.

8

BEATRICE

As much asI hate what I must do tonight—the blowjob is not happening—I look good. For once, my hair is nice and shiny, with no frizz in sight. It falls in soft curls around my face and down my back to my waist. My makeup is flawless, accentuating my features without being overdone.

The dress hugs my curves and, with the help of the green bra I wear, gives me good cleavage—my mother's words, not mine. The heeled sandals do things to my legs that I can't deny. Although I feel more covered in the shorts and t-shirt I wore yesterday, I still look sexy. It's not a word I've ever used to describe myself.

Mother suddenly bursts into my room and catches her breath. "My goodness, Beatrice! You look amazing. Jason will fall in love with you at first sight."

"I'm going to puke." I cover my stomach with a hand and try to breathe through my nose.

"Don't be so dramatic." My mother takes my hands in hers. "Listen, your father is counting on tonight being a success. So, remember, he's not touching you between the waist and knees, but you can get down on your knees.”

My eyes widen in shock. "I thought you were joking!" I shake my head. "No way am I doing that."

"Stop being such a prude!" She practically drags me downstairs. By the time we reach the foyer, my knees are shaking.

"I need a drink of water." I head for the kitchen.

"Don't be long."

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