“Leave it to me, Chloe,” Steven says. He lifts his chin, pride covering the guilt in his eyes. “While we are there, I will secretly install a new security system. We’ll be able to keep regular tabs on your family.” “If it works,” Archer grunts. “It will work,” Steven snaps back. He’s more confid
I’m a deer in headlights, except I’m trapped in a situation totally of my own design. I don’t have the slightest clue how to explain to my mom my current relationship with the brothers. We’re not dating, but we’re not nothing. Friends with benefits doesn’t quite feel right either, not even with Be
The ride to Mom’s is tense but quiet. Since marrying Isaac, she’s moved into a nice part of town, with mansions, big back yards, and tall rod-iron fences. Between ever house, it seems like there’s an actual park with benches and trees and flowers. It’s beautiful really, but it doesn’t feel like ho
We all turn around to head back to the car. No one says anything and the tension is thick. When Wyatt sees the packed trunk, he grunts. “You assholes staying for a month or what?” Archer glares at Wyatt like he’s planning on ripping his head off. Beau narrows his eyes like he fully intends to he
“Why the hell would you go to war with the most powerful man in the entire world?” Wyatt grunts. By now, the worst of the tension has passed. Archer has stepped back, allowing Wyatt to stretch his back and catch his breath. I’ve moved away to collect my dirtied belongings off the ground and mind
All the brothers could still be jerks sometimes. With our baggage in hand, we return to the house. Wyatt is nowhere to be seen, but Isaac is glaring up the stairs. They must have had a fight. When Isaac sees us coming, his face shifts into a more warm expression, though some tightness still remain
“You can wear it while your other things are at the cleaners,” Beau says. “Beau.” I have so many questions. One, why in the world did he have this gift, ready and waiting, and thought to bring it with him to my parents’ house? Two, in what universe does he think that skimpy lace and string ensembl
“That…” Steven’s voice breaks as a growl rumbles out of him. He clears his throat. “That’s not the nature of our relationship.” Isn’t it though? The lines of our relationship are so fuzzy that I’m not sure what we are anymore, or what we should be. I only know there are three marks on my neck, b