Page 4 of Fiendish Ways

Cree blinked. Honestly, it might have been more of a flinch. He couldn’t tell. “He’s a kid.”

King snorted hard enough it had to hurt. “Okay. If you’re blind, I’m not. I can take him off your hands.”

For a moment, Cree lost vision in his right eye. Rage threatened to make him do something he might or might not regret.

A bright smile lit King’s face. “That’s what I thought. Stop being dumb and blind. That kid lives for you.”

Fuck. It hadn’t occurred to Cree he might have competition among the other men in the house. He should have seen it, though. Nebraska was beautiful. Of course, other people had noticed. Cree needed to step up his game. Otherwise, Nebraska might slip away.

All Nebraska could do was stare at Cree in horror. Cree obviously believed Nebraska working for Archer was a dream position. All Nebraska heard was he would get his ass kicked. Again.

“You do realize I spent my entire life getting my ass handed to me. Now you want me to let you fight me?”

Cree rolled his eyes. “You won’t get hurt. I’ll teach you how to defend yourself.”

Nebraska nodded. He tried hiding his feelings behind a mask. Honestly, he was pretty damn good at hiding hurt. He had been doing it his whole life. “If this is what you want.” There. That sounded neutral enough. In truth, Nebraska was silently panicking. This felt a lot like Cree looked for a way to get out from underneath caring for him. That was fair. Nebraska had known he couldn’t depend on Cree forever. This was for the best.

“You don’t want this.”

Damn. Nebraska tried harder at Cree’s defeated-sounding statement. He clasped his hands and dug his short fingernails into his palm, trying to distract himself from the pains in his chest. “Obviously, I have to do something. It’s not like I can stay holed up in your bedroom forever. If this is what you want, then it’s whatever. I trust you.”

Cree’s gaze dropped to Nebraska’s clasped hands. “You don’t believe that I’ll keep you safe.”

Nebraska forced his hands to unclench. “Please stop. I’ve already agreed.”

With his ass half perched on the dresser, Cree stared at Nebraska on the bed where he had been lazily hanging out all night. King had brought him food before Cree left and Nebraska had watched movies. Maybe he needed to do something. He supposed he probably looked useless to Cree. It was no wonder Cree didn’t want him. The more he mulled over the situation, the more he thought he might hyperventilate. It was never good for him to be alone with his thoughts.

Nebraska couldn’t look directly at Cree anymore. “Please stop staring at me. I know I’m a disappointment. I’ll do what you want.”

“I would never force you and I could never be disappointed in you.”

The soft way Cree spoke had Nebraska’s shoulders relaxing. He chanced another quick glance Cree’s way.

Cree stood. “Come on. Let me show you how to make this fun.” He pulled Nebraska to his feet before he could argue.

With his hand in Cree’s, Nebraska couldn’t pull away. He craved being touched too badly. Cree moved to the small sitting room area inside his bedroom. He pushed the settee and coffee table aside, making space, and then he turned Nebraska’s way.

“Okay. Attack me.”

A laugh burbled in Nebraska’s throat. “What?”

Cree gave him a sharp nod. “You heard me. Try to tackle me.”

“I’ll pass. I’m not like the guys around here. I lack your…” Nebraska fought for a way to describe what they got up to without insulting Cree. “Your fiendish ways,” he finally said with a nod.

A huge smile lit Cree’s face. “Fiendish ways. I like that. Still. Just trust me, okay? Try to come at me.”

“No, thank you.”

Cree huffed. “At least try to punch me.”

Nebraska shook his head. “I’m a lover. Not a fighter.”

“You’ve been here three months. I don’t think you’re either.”

Ouch. That cut deep. “Then don’t bother with me.” He turned away. Maybe he should try to leave. It seemed like it might be time. Hurt and anger boiled inside Nebraska.

Cree grabbed his shoulder. “Don’t—”

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