Page 39 of One of Six

I catch Nico's eye and he shakes his head, which means he has no idea what's going on. Galen and Ridge are whispering to each other.

"Is this a family meeting?" I ask into the silence.

"Yes," Mom says. "I need to ask you all something that I'm not sure some of you are going to like." Her attention lands on each of us in turn.

My heart falls out of my chest. I know before she says anything that it has to do with Bea.

"I don't trust Richard Lincoln not to blame one of my boys for his wife's death."

"No!" I hiss, shocking her and my brothers. "I agree that Lincoln is an asshole and guilty of killing his wife, but that has nothing to do with Bea."

Boone groans. "E, let Mom finish."

I rub my forehead and force my mouth shut.

"I was going to add," Mom says. "If Richard finds out his daughter is friends with you, he's going to cause real problems. I'm also serious about him setting one of you up for murder."

"So, what are you saying?" Atilio asks.

"I'm asking each of you to stay away from the girl."

Silence.

Not one of my brothers speaks up for Bea. Nico frowns at me. He knows that I spent hours with Bea today. Atilio, who I thought liked her, says nothing.

"Why don't you like her?" I ask. "Bea needs friends."

Mom reaches out and takes my hand. "I like her, Essex. It's her father I'm worried about. I can't lose any of you."

I get up and pull my hand free. "I'm taking the boat out. Alone!" I snap. "Bea is my girlfriend. I'm not giving her up. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me."

"Oh!" Mom cries.

I don't hang around and leave through the back door; Atilio is on my heels. "Wait!"

"I need to be alone," I say.

He grabs my arm. "This is sudden."

I inhale and exhale slowly. "I talked to her last night. She came to see me today. She means a lot to me, Atilio, and I don't want to share her." I look into his eyes.

"I wouldn't expect you to... Mama's right, you know. Richard Lincoln will come for one of us, probably you. We have to be careful."

"I'll talk to Bea about it." I walk on to the boat, 'The Maggie'. On board, I decide to stay docked. My body is twisted with frustration at the whole damn situation. What the hell are we going to do about it?

This must beone of my stupidest ideas,I think as I climb up the side of the Lincoln mansion. The only person who can help me decide what to do is the girl in question. I am unsure if I will be able to breathe again without her in my life, which is absurd, I know.

The intensity of my feelings for her is surprising. I long for the girl. The way she came apart on my mouth makes me sweat when I remember. The way her pink tongue slipped between her lips to lick the head of my cock. I came like a fucking teenager. I laugh. At nineteen, I am a teenager. It's not easy to climb up the trellis with a hard-on. My own damn fault with what's on my mind.

I appear in her window and almost fall back out in shock. Luckily, Bea grabs me by the tee and pulls me forward.

"Where are your clothes?" I stammer.

"I'm wearing them."

I groan. "Tiny bits of lace that barely cover your tits and pussy are not clothes."

She gives me a cheeky smile and asks, "I thought you'd like to get me out of them. You know, help me get ready for bed."

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