Page 21 of His Lovebug

“Let me help.” He stood slowly.

“Nope! I’m fine.” I laughed and it sounded stupid and hysterical, and I didn’t care. I didn’t want Matt to ever walk into a conversation like this. I hadn’t done anything wrong, but maybe I would’ve if I’d stayed in my seat, and I hated that. Whatever I’d been trying to prove today would be ruined if I didn’t make it clear where my loyalties lie, so I ignored him and went into the kitchen to clean up. I lingered over every task, giving Jackson plenty of time to go find something else to distract him. After a long half hour of dawdling, I went upstairs and got ready for bed, since it seemed like it was possible Matt could be out all night with whatever craziness Derek had sucked him into today.

I was coming out of the bathroom in a pink silk negligee when there was a knock on the bedroom door, and I glared at it, irritation sinking its claws into me. This house was my sanctuary, and normally, I was totally happy in it. I veered toward the closet and took out a robe that matched the negligee but covered every bit of me right up to my neck, tied it securely, and then went and opened the door.

Jackson smiled on the other side, and Royal stood nearby with his shoulder leaning against the wall and his arms crossed.

“Would you care to join me for an evening stroll?” he asked, sliding his gaze down my body. “Or something else?”

I shut the door, leaned against it, and slid down onto my ass. I could hear a scuffle outside and shot to my feet. I ripped the door open again in time to see Royal smash Jackson to the carpet on his face.

“What are you doing?” I shouted.

“He wouldn’t leave,” Royal said, grinning up at me. He didn’t seem to be putting much effort into pinning Jackson.

“Get off him,” I said with a sigh.

Royal frowned. “Quin.”

“Now!”

Jackson stood up and sent Royal a winning smirk before he slipped into my bedroom.

I covered my eyes with my hands.

“I’ll get him,” Royal said.

I shook my head. “Just stay here.”

When I walked in, Jackson was messing around with my perfume, then spritzed one. “You should wear this tonight. That pink deserves this vanilla.” He waved the bottle around.

“Out.”

He pouted, like he had at dinner. “Let’s have a chat.” He went over and flopped on the bed.

“Do you want to die?” I asked, completely exasperated at this point. “Is that why you’re here? You have a death wish?”

He stared at me. “You really won’t do it, will you?” He sounded baffled.

“How many ways can I say I love my husband?” I asked, tossing my hands up in the air.

“He isn’t yet, though, is he?”

I pointed at the door.

Jackson slouched out into the hallway; although, he sent me a blinding smile that left my insides twisting into knots. I felt as if I’d just been played, but I had no idea how, and I hated that sensation.

Royal nodded at me and followed after Jackson, and I collapsed onto the bed.

“Maybe Matt was right,” I said, sighing in defeat. I wanted him to have his family. Guilt twisted hooks into my belly. I pulled a pillow over my face and screamed into it.

9

COLT

“Want me to kill him?” Derek had asked earlier, and as tempting as it was, if anyone was going to slit my brother’s throat, it would be me.

I was finally on my way home from dealing with business issues, and I was ready to sleep. My body ached after the strenuous activities involved in killing a few guys who’d messed with us, and while Derek and I usually left it for the men in his employ, sometimes we had to make an example out of some assholes.

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