Page 68 of Knocked Up by my Best Friend's Brothers

It's my turn to laugh, my heart sings as I listen to Teagan going over the events of last night, of how she tore them a new one and reminded them they’re never going to find another woman like me.

“You’re too kind, Tee, seriously.”

“They just felt like they had no control over the situation or the relationship. Cassius hates feeling that way because he’s usually very quick to react and able to come up with a solution. The mere thought of losing you; I swear. I’ve never seen my brothers like this before,” she adds.

It sounds wonderful. As wonderful as it can sound given the present circumstances. Were it not for the bloodthirsty crime family out to get me, I’d be jumping out of my seat with glee, my heart fluttering and my toes wiggling with delight at the thought that there’s more to our dynamic than just the sexual component—even though, as Nathan put it last night, I already felt like there was more to it.

And so did they.

I’d like nothing more than to fawn over them right now without a care in the world. But I’m not sure we’ll have a chance at a future together. Intention doesn’t stand a chance against reality.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Perry-Sage,” I say after a while.

“Oh, that I totally get,” Teagan replies. “I understood from the moment you mentioned the NDA, though I had no idea of the ordeals you went through.”

“Those ordeals were more or less of my own making.”

“It doesn’t mean you deserved to watch Brett be murdered. It certainly doesn’t mean you deserve to live like this, in constant fear,” she says, shaking her head while her gaze wanders across the cafeteria.

There aren’t many people here at this hour. Then again, it’s almost ten. Most of the Hawthorne staff have already started their shifts. I’ve got the day off. The only reason I’m here is because it’s one of the safer places for me to be.

“You shouldn’t be staying at your aunt’s place either,” Teagan adds. “Although I am glad to hear you patched things up with her.”

“Well, my apartment isn’t an option, and a hotel is a tad too public.”

“Our place,” Teagan suggests.

I chuckle dryly. “You want me to crash with you and your new hubby?”

“No, you mathematical genius. The Hawthorne mansion. It became a literal fortress the moment my brothers came back from the service.”

Granted, she has a point there. I spent my fair share of nights there, rolling in the black silk sheets of the Hawthornes’ beds. I saw the cameras and the motion sensors.

“It’s up to your brothers,” I mumble. “But I don’t want to impose.”

“My God, you’ve been a stray for too long. You’ve forgotten what we do for the people we love.”

“I think it’s got more to do with my fear of dragging anyone else down with me.”

Teagan thinks about it for a moment. “So hear me out, then.”

“I already don’t like it,” I shoot back with a cool grin.

“Hear me out,” she insists. “All the stunts you pulled to take down a massive fintech corporation… that was something else, wasn’t it? A Fed’s wet dream, right? I mean, you had access to all that inside information, proof, everything. And you made sure the cops found it.”

I nod slowly. “Yes. Where are you going with this?”

“What do you have right now in terms of information that might help bring the rest of the Mancini family down?”

My blood runs cold. “I witnessed a murder. But that would be my word against theirs. The manager from Perry-Sage who was there that night died in prison not that long ago. Suspicious circumstances, I heard.”

“Nothing else?”

“I don’t have access to any private email servers or anything like that. Even if I could gain access, it would have to be done in Los Angeles. I would need to be inside their offices.”

“Smack in the belly of the beast,” she sighs deeply. “Not a good idea.”

“Nope.”

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