Page 20 of Assassin's Game
I moved to look at his screen but couldn’t help rubbing at the vee between my eyes. “So what is younger brother doing chasing our mark?”
“Or working for X,” Rhys ground out. His blue eyes fairly glowed as he stared down at the image of Eli Agozi.
I bit back my denial, knowing it would simply put me in the crosshairs of that intensity, something I definitely didn’t need right now. None of this fit. Mercenaries like us didn’t get themselves in the paper, and they sure as hell didn’t associate with their high-profile siblings in conjunction with a high-profile company that must frequently come under the scrutiny of not only the government but any number of underground, unsavory elements.
“What the heck is going on here?” Maris asked, voicing the confusion I didn’t dare put words to. I didn’t have any answers, either. But I did know what we needed to do next.
“Start digging.” I turned from Monty’s screen to stare at my team. “Let’s find out what these guys are hiding and why they’ve popped up on our radar. If we’ve got two enemies and not just one, I want to know ASAP.”
I headed for the staircase at one end of the warehouse that led to the rooms we’d designated as bedrooms. These dress clothes needed to come off; it was time to get to work.
And forget that I’d ever looked into teasing amber eyes across a crowded restaurant and felt anything at all.
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Chapter Ten
Eli —
Diesel tucked himself behind my legs under the computer table when the elevator dinged. I scratched his ear, angry that my brother scared my dog. He’d been through enough out on the streets; he shouldn’t have to be scared in his new home.
That anger was in my expression as Levi strode into the room. Levi ignored it, which only made it burn brighter. So did his first words.
“If this is about the dog—”
“What about the dog?” Remi interrupted, whether in genuine question or to forestall the argument he could sense brewing, I wasn’t sure. I was only relieved to have someone on my side.
Remi went down on his knees next to me, his hand palm up as he offered it to Diesel. “He’s a little iffy about the crowd, but I think he’ll come around to staying with us.”
“We don’t need any more additions to the crowd,” Levi growled. He planted his feet in front of me, arms crossed over his chest. He didn’t think he could intimidate me with the bulging biceps anymore, did he? ’Cause that hero-worship shit had faded a long fucking time ago.
Remi planted his hand on the floor and stared up at our brother. “You asshole.”
Genuine shock crossed Levi’s face, his gray eyes going wide. “What?”
Remi pushed to his feet. “You said you were fine with Leah and Brooke moving in.”
“I am.”
Remi didn’t miss the slight rise in Levi’s tone any more than I did.
“Obviously you aren’t.” Remi’s eyes darkened with hurt. “If my family isn’t good enough for you—”
Levi frowned. “Shut the hell up.”
“No.” Remi wasn’t above using his bulk in an argument, and he did so now, pushing into Levi’s space. “You better get your head out of your ass, brother. Leah and Brooke and my baby are here to stay, and if you don’t like it—”
Levi held up a hand. “Save it. I’ve already had one brother threaten to leave this week.”
Remi glanced at me, at Diesel, and approval warmed his icy expression. “Good. You were the boss for a long time, Levi. I get that. But we grew up, and our families are just as important as yours. They have every right to be here, like it or not.” The approval faded away, replaced by deadly resolve. “And if not, bury that shit deep. We don’t deserve it, and neither do they.”
Levi dragged a hand down his face, rubbed at the scruff on his chin. “A dog isn’t the same as family.”
“Why?” Remi scoffed. “Because you never wanted one?”
Time to stop the infighting. I appreciated Remi standing up for me, but I didn’t need it—and we had more important things to think about. “He’s my family, Levi,” I said, the words clipped. And final. “I told you that, and I have no intention of repeating it every time you see him. If you can’t accept that, you know what the consequences are. And given what’s going on, you need me, whether you know it or not.”
“What’s going on?” Remi asked.
