Page 46 of Off Limits
“Uh. Yeah. Of course. Do you even know me?” She raised her voice in hopes that Brady would hear her talking and stay in her room.
“Why are you yelling? I’m right here.” He glanced over his shoulder at her with another raised eyebrow as he pulled a coffee cup from the cupboard.
“I’m not yelling.” She turned her back to him and fished out a pan to make eggs from the bottom cupboard. Rex could read her like a book. “Is everything okay between you and Anna?”
“Yes. Things are great. Better than ever.” He grabbed the coffee pot. “I want to ask Anna to marry me.” He poured the coffee calmly like he hadn’t just said what he said.
She dropped the pan on the floor and the sound reverberated everywhere.
“Jesus, Jane.” Rex ripped off a paper towel to wipe up the coffee he’s spilled when she startled him. “What is with you this morning?”
She bent to pick up the pan when she heard Brady’s bare feet slapping on the hardwood floor. Her stomach flipped as she pushed to standing. “Rex...” Her words stalled as Brady rushed into the kitchen wrapped in a towel.
“Princess, you okay?” He pulled to a stop when he saw Rex standing there. Brady’s jaw dropped for a split second before he pulled his lips into a tight line.
“Brady?” Rex set his coffee on the counter while looking between Brady and his sister. He narrowed his eyes when they finally rested on Brady. “What the fuck is going on?”
“We were going to talk to you about this.” She stepped between the men.
“‘We?” Rex barked. His hands clenched at his sides.
“Yes. We’ve been seeing each other.” Her voice was low but steady. There was no apology in it. Just the truth. She hadn’t wanted to blindside her brother, but he was overprotective to a fault. And she was more than capable to make decisions about her own life, including who she loved.
“Come again?” Rex didn’t even look at her. His eyes were locked on Brady, who stood shirtless in the doorway like a man awaiting a verdict.
Brady cleared his throat. “We have been seeing each other.” His voice was firm despite the situation—or lack of clothing. He straightened, shoulders squaring, as if saying he wouldn’t back down.
Rex’s face tightened and he shook his head. “No. No you haven’t. We already had this conversation. You’re to stay away from my sister.”
“I wouldn’t exactly call it a conversation,” Brady snapped back. “It was more an order.”
She clenched her jaw. That comment wasn’t going to go over well with her brother. Rex could be cool when it came to most things except his family.
“You’re right. Itwasa fucking order.” Rex said, his voice crept up several octaves. “I guess one you couldn’t listen to. You’ve never been good at following directions.”
Brady snickered. “Nope. I’m not good at taking orders from my equals.”
“Rex, this isn’t on Brady.” Jane stepped closer to her brother, trying to take his attention off Brady.
“Shut up, Jane.” Rex snapped. He glared at her for a second before directing his attention back to Brady.
“Hey, man. Don’t talk to her like that.” Brady stepped from the doorway and into the kitchen.
Rex ran his fingers through his hair, causing it to stand on end. His cheeks pinkened with his anger. “I asked you not to mess with my sister. She’s not one of your play things.”
She inhaled sharply. There was no reason for Rex to be so nasty. She took another step in her brother’s direction. She didn’t like to be called a play thing. She could make her own decisions.
