Page 54 of Kissing Danger

“Leave him be,” another voice said. The security left me alone, and I tugged my jacket back into place.

“What’s the meaning of this, Zaur?”

In the penthouse’s living room, my brother sat in a plush chair like a king holding court. He’d always had a grandiose way of carrying himself that made me laugh, except this time I didn’t find it so humorous.

Not when Deacon was kneeling on the floor at my brother’s feet.

Zaur smiled that same wolf-smile we’d both inherited from our father. “K?—”

I cut him off.

“Nathan.”

“Right,” he sighed. “Nathan. How plebeian.”

“Don’t act like you aren’t used to it. I’ve been going by Nathan Sterling for more than twenty years.”

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean I like it.”

He rolled his eyes at me, and I had to look away before I smacked him. Instead, I turned my attention toward Deacon. He seemed unharmed, just unhappy, but I had to be sure.

“Deke, are you all right?”

No matter how confused or upset Deacon was, my little spitfire could never be contained. He sat as arrogantly as he could on his knees with his hands bound behind his back, almost looking like he’d chosen to be there.

“I’ve got a goose-egg on the back of my head that’s giving me a migraine, but overall, not bad.” Hazel eyes flickered with uncertainty between me and Zaur, no doubt noticing the similarities in our appearance. “So, um, what’s going on?”

“How many times do I have to tell you to shut up,” one of Zaur’s lackeys grabbed Deacon’s shoulder and forced him to bow forward until his forehead almost touched the floor. “Next time you speak, I’m putting a bullet in your skull.”

The sound of my gun cocking echoed through the room and drew everyone’s attention.

“Do it and you won’t be leaving this room alive.”

I’d drawn my weapon faster than anyone could react, and it sat in my hand ready to fire. For now, I kept it pointed at the floor, but the promise of violence remained.

Agent Belden stepped up next to me, though she was at least smart enough not to try and grab my gun.

“Are you still throwing around threats even now? You’re in over your head this time, Sterling. You’ve brought too much attention down on yourself, so your boss made us a deal. He’s handing you over.”

Her smile could have rivaled a kid on Christmas morning, except it was so much crueler.

“I told you I’d see you behind bars one day, even if it means making a deal with the devil himself.”

My gaze darted between everyone in the room.

Agent Belden.

Caprice.

The numerous bodyguards and flunkies.

Deacon.

Lastly, it landed on Zaur.

Before anyone could stop me, I stormed over to my brother and grabbed him by the ear.

“You brat. What have you been up to?”

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