Page 23 of Darkest Retribution

“I was a little nervous at first, but I did okay. Thanks for warning me about the roundabout. It would’ve stressed me out so bad.”

“No problem, Daise.” Blaze presses a quick kiss to the top of her head, and for a moment, I wonder if my brother has a fucking death wish.

They hold onto each other for a second too long, and David clears his throat. In an instant, Brooke is out of Blaze’s arms. She grabs David’s hand and turns to the rest of us.

“Everyone, this is David. David, this is Blaze, and my brother Alex, and Dom, and Felix.”

David nods, his lips pressed into a thin line.

For a beat, we all stand in awkward silence. And then I realize it’s because both Alex and Felix are eyeing David warily, while David looks like he’s ready to tear Blaze apart limb by limb.

“Uh, my mom said dinner is almost ready, so we should all head back to the house.” Brooke glances between everyone, biting her lip.

“We’ll be right up,” Felix says. “Just gotta grab our shit.”

With a nod and a quick glance toward Blaze, Brooke turns to go, her hand still clasped in David’s.

I sigh.Great.Not only is it hot as hell, but I have a feeling I’m going to be dealing with a shit ton of unnecessary drama this week.

“I don’t like him,” Alex says flatly.

Felix snorts, and Blaze remains suspiciously quiet.

Once we’ve gathered up our towels, I grab one end of the cooler, and Felix grabs the other.

“Hang back,” he says quietly.

Am I ever going to get out of the sun?

Still, I wait, watching as Alex and Blaze head back toward the house, trailing after Brooke and David. Once they’re out of earshot, I glare at Felix.

“Are you trying to make me melt?”

“I know that guy,” Felix says, and the dark look in his eyes has alarm bells going off in my head. “David Albright. He’s bad news. Done some work for one of my dad’s biggest rivals.”

I watch as David puts an arm around Brooke and tugs her into his side. She looks perfectly happy, and David isn’t giving off a threatening vibe—except for when he looks at Blaze.

“Look,” I say quietly, “I don’t really want to tell Brooke who she can and can’t date. Alex already does that enough.”

“And I’m telling you that if we don’t do something, she’s going to end up hurt. I’m coming to you because if Blaze finds out, he’ll do something rash. You know how he is when it comes to Brooke. You’re better at staying in control.”

“What the hell am I supposed to do?”

“Talk to her. Please. I’d do it, but we’re not that close. We’ve only met a couple times. I don’t want it to be weird.”

Fuck.“Is she in danger?”

“Maybe. I don’t know. I’m just glad the asshole doesn’t recognize me. Perks of working in the background, I guess.”

“Felix, you’ve gotta give me more than that.”

“Well, that’s all I have. I don’t know a lot about him. Just that he can’t be trusted.”

“Great,” I grumble.

It doesn’t help that I have no clue what my uncle does for a living. I have my ideas, and none of them are legal. So if David has worked in the same fields as Felix’s dad, it’s possible that he could be into some serious shit. But is that enough to ruin Brooke’s relationship? She looks truly happy for the first time in years. Or maybe that’s because she decided to move out of her parents’ house.

“You’resurehe’s bad news?”

---