Page 33 of The Ruthless Note

“Um… do you mind helping me out with something?”

“Anything.”

“I need you to pretend to be my boyfriend.”

His jaw drops.

“Will you?”

“I mean, sure. But why? If they’re bothering you, I can just kick them out.”

I drape my arm over his shoulder, lean into his ear and hurry the rest of my explanation. “My boss assigned me to this table, so that’s not an option. I have to serve them, but I figure… if they mess with me, I can mess right back.”

Hunter smiles as if he likes the idea. His hand settles on my lower back, skimming the band of my Redwood Prep skirt. I feel more than hear Dutch’s growl behind me.

You don’t own me, you deranged lunatic. You never will.

I place a kiss to Hunter’s cheek and he rubs my hip, looking up with a besotted smile that isn’t quite fake. A prick of guilt hits me when I see how much he’s enjoying this. If Dutch didn’t back me into a corner, I never would have dragged Hunter into a ploy as insane as this one. Hopefully, things don’t get awkward between us later.

I return to the table and all three Cross boys are staring at me with varying expressions. Zane looks intrigued. Finn looks amused. Dutch looks murderous.

“Someone’s popular with the locals,” Dutch says in a low voice.

I pretend not to hear. “Can I have your orders?”

“Does he know your real name or are you playing games with him too?”

I snarl at him. “Be careful, Dutch. You don’t want to see my skills with a butcher knife.”

“Is that a threat?” His furious gaze falls on me.

“Wasn’t it obvious?” I hiss. Blazing heat radiates from every inch of my body.

Dutch doesn’t seem scared at all. In fact, I’m starting to think there’s a part of him that gets off on my anger.

“Ehem.” Zane speaks up, sounding sheepish. “I don’t know about Dutch, but allIwant is a burger.” He turns his head and pins his brother with an aggravated stare. “Dutch has been riding us all evening at practice. We didn’t stop for a single break. I'm so hungry I think I might faint.”

Untangling my eyes from Dutch’s, I walk to Zane’s side of the booth. Dutch’s twin is sitting slouched in the corner, his head against the window.

With the sunlight pouring on his pale face, every inch of his chiseled profile is exposed. He’s just as arresting and magnetic as Dutch, but I can tell that he’s been partying hard every night. Mom used to look worn out like that when she was on a bender.

“The double whopper is pretty good.”

Zane’s pretty blue eyes light up. He gives me a charming smile. “I’ll go with that then.”

“And to drink?”

“Serve any alcohol here?”

“Not if you’re underage.” I point to the sign.

He sulks.

“You should probably have water anyway,” I tell him.

“Aw. Are you concerned about me, Brahms?” Zane bats his thick eyelashes.

“You have to live with that monster all day.” I point to Dutch. “I imagine it can get pretty tough.”

---