Page 2 of I'm Not in Love (I Promise)

“Jasper,” I growl in warning. “Don’t do anything rash.”

Of the three of us, he has the biggest reason to be losing his shit. Bailey’s his younger sister. He won’t stop until we find her and bring her home safely.

Movement from the window catches my eye.Fuck. You’re making me lose focus.She lifts her black dress over her head slowly with her back to the glass. Tossing it aside, she shakes out her dark hair and pulls it into a ponytail at the nape of her neck.You love that you’re teasing me, don’t you?

I watch her every move, imagining my fist tugging that ponytail, exposing her delicate throat to my waiting lips. Her pulse throbs as I skim my teeth along her neck, her soft moans,my favorite melody. Then her mouth quirks up in a seductive grin while she finally feels what her teasing does to me.Smile now, Angel, because soon you’ll be choking on my cock with tears running down your cheeks like my good little slut.

Her body rocks side to side with the beat of her music as she slips a T-shirt over her head, giving me the slightest peek of a rib tattoo stretching across her side. I strain my eyes to make out the details of her ink, then snap a photo.

My skin tingles, tight and hot as my palm brushes my erection.

“No,” I scold myself.Not here and not yet.

As I ready my camera to take another photo, she slips out of sight—likely into a bed—snuffing out my fantasy along with any remaining light.

Sighing at my misfortune, I slump lower and speak to the guys through my earpiece. “Anything?”

“Just the same handful of people. I think they’re starting to suspect me. A few of them asked how I know the host. Not a trusting bunch.”

“Nothing on my end.” The sound of Leon’s aggressive clicking muffles his voice.

“Dammit. I wish we had a picture of this guy.” I rub my eyes, exhaustion catching up with me.

“They all look like a bunch of rich assholes. No one I’d peg as a kidnapper,” Jasper says. Hushed voices filter through his earpiece along with faint classical music melodies.

“Well,it isa charity dinner,” Leon says with an air of smugness.

“Oh, I forgot we were in the presence of a British aristocrat. Forgive me, sir, or should I say, Your Royal Dickness.” Jasper attempts the worst British accent I’ve ever heard. So terrible, it’s laughable.

“Cunt,” Leon deadpans.

“Enough,” I say. “I’m packing up my shit. I’ll come back tomorrow.”

“Meet you in—” Jasper’s voice cuts out abruptly. I jump to my feet.

“Jas? You there?”

Leon pounds his keyboard, repeating my question. “He’s offline.”

It’s probably nothing. A dumb tech error. Happens all the time. My tightening chest doesn’t give a fuck about my excuses, though. I adjust the gun tucked into my waistband and draw in a quick breath.

“I’m going in.”

I turn my earpiece off before Leon tries to tell me all the reasons not to. Jasper and Leon are my brothers. Not by blood, but in every way that matters. If there’s even a slight chance that either of them are in trouble, nothing will keep me from them.

I’ll check on you too, Angel.With one last look in the dim window, I step into the shadows, toward the back entrance.

CHAPTER TWO

DAMON

I watch my step,avoiding the uneven stone walkway and patches of dried leaves. As far as I know, the backyard is clear, but I can never be too certain. If I were thinking things through I would have had Leon double check the area from the neighbor’s hacked security feed. He was probably biting his nails and cursing me out for my recklessness.

Murmured voices slip through the walls, mingled with the odd stray note from their music. With a house this old, I know I can get in easily. It’s staying hidden that poses a problem.

Jasper hadn’t mentioned exactly how many people are inside. Could be five or twenty-five. There’s only one way to find out.

Weather-worn bricks scratch against my skin as I peer around the corner of the house to get a look at the backyard. Deciduous trees clutter the sprawling lawn like dusky giants. Maybe I did miss the Northeast?So many hiding spots. A cool breeze cuts at my skin just as clouds shift, allowing the half moon to bathe the space in silver light. I spot the back door,inconspicuous for such an elaborate home. Maybe they wanted it that way.

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