Page 71 of Into the Woods

Honestly, the Woods brothers were unfairly hot. They had insanely muscular builds, and none of them was under six-two. And because they all were former elite members of the armed services, they were ripped as hell. Dark hair ran in the family, thanks to their dad, but Court was the only one with dark eyes. The others had shades ranging from almost turquoise blue to gunmetal silver.

Bishop’s were a gentle deep blue the color of the ocean. His cheekbones were a bit sharper than Rook’s or Court’s, giving him an almost pretty-boy look. Especially when he flashed a charming grin.

“I’m okay,” I finally answered.

He came into the room and closed the door before leaning against it. He crossed his legs at the ankles. “We don’t have to go out tonight. I know you were just trying to get at Court.”

I bit my lower lip, embarrassed at how easily he’d read the situation. “I mean, kinda. But I do like you.”

“But not the way you like Court,” he finished with a kind smile.

My shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry.”

“Shit, girl.” He chuckled, pushing off the door and coming to sit on the other side of the bed. “Don’t apologize. Heart wants what the heart wants. I’m just sorry my brother’s too goddamn stubborn to see what’s right in front of him.”

I dipped my head, but my inner masochist had me asking, “And what’s that?”

He leaned over and touched my chin with his index finger. “You’re an amazing woman, Bex. And he’s a fucking moron.”

A tremulous smile twitched across my lips. “Pretty sure the only moron is me. I’m the one who keeps setting myself up to be let down again and again.”

He exhaled a heavy breath. “Can I be honest with you?”

“Please.”

“None of us had a great upbringing, but I think Court had it the worst.” He pressed his lips into a tight line for a beat. “The General is a fucking asshole. He’s exacting and demanding and outright sadistic. I mean, look at the shit he put all of us through. His test killed my brother. And damn near killed you.”

I rocked back. “You know about that?”

He gave a grim nod. “Yeah. I mean, Court doesn’t talk about it much, but I know the gist.”

“That’s more than he’s told me,” I muttered.

He cocked his head. “You two have never talked about it?”

I met his gaze. “Until a few weeks ago, I had no idea it even happened.”

His brows shot up. “You forgot getting kidnapped for a week?”

My spine stiffened as irritation swirled in my blood. “Yeah, but in my defense, I was also really sick.”

He inclined his head, ceding my point. “I only heard about it after the fact, and I definitely don’t know the details, but I know it was bad.”

“I’m sure it was.” There was no masking the bitterness in my tone.

“Did you know Court was sent to military school for a few months after?”

My head snapped up, my jaw dropping open. “What?”

Bishop grimaced. “You aren’t the only one who paid a price, Bex. I’m not trying to excuse him or the shit he’s done to push you away, but what happened to you fucked him up in a lot of ways.”

I frowned, my forehead wrinkling. “But military school?” It was one thing for General Woods to want his son to be in the military, but military school basically spelled out juvenile delinquent in our world. I was stunned that he’d take the hit to his family’s social status.

Lauren Woods, Court’s mom, came from old money. Like the kind that started before the United States was even an idea. They were proper and believed strongly that indiscretions were handled privately.

“He sorta… shut down after what happened to you. I think you were still in the hospital for a good chunk of it. The General was at our house one night, and I heard him yelling on the phone. Before he left, he told my mom that Court had gotten into another incident. He was livid and kept mentioning he was sending Court away to get him straightened out.” Bishop sighed heavily.

“I had no idea,” I whispered, my hand drifting up to cover my mouth. That year was still a blur. The doctors claimed it was because I’d been so sick and so close to dying that my brain had barricaded the memories away.

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