Page 41 of Braxton

“Or Timberlake,” Zane added.

“You guys are so mean,” Inda said. “I say embrace your natural curls, Pharaoh.”

“Listen to Bruja and your woman,” Gray wisely advised with a smirk. “An unhappy wife equals an unhappy life.”

“That’s right,” Mia said, tickling Saint’s side. He grabbed her, tickling back, and she yelped.

His woman…his wife…well, technically, his ex-wife…

Semantics, though.The heart wants what the heart wants. His dad used to say that, and he was right.

Brax felt his arm drop from the back of the couch and onto Quinn’s shoulders. Maybe one day she would be his wife again. He glanced down at her finger, but his ring was gone, safely tucked back in his drawer. His gut twisted up a little and he found himself wanting to see her wedding ring back on her finger.

Quinn Noelle belonged to him, and his inner caveman wanted everyone else to know it. Public displays of affection had never been his thing, but he leaned in and pressed a lingering kiss against her neck. When she tilted her head invitingly, he licked her soft skin.

He was nuzzling the spot behind her ear, considering dragging her back down to his room, when the front door opened with a bang. Everyone looked over to see Aubrey stagger in. Gray immediately stood and met her halfway, his arms going around her.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, looking her over, making sure she wasn’t hurt.

Ryland also popped up, gaze searching for his wife. “Where’s Harper?”

“They took her!” Aubrey cried.

Brax jumped to his feet.

“Who took her?” Ryland asked darkly.

As if in answer, his phone began ringing. “What?” he snapped. All the color drained from his face as he put the call on speaker.

“I’m sure you’ve heard your wife is missing,” Cross said coolly.

Ryland’s nostrils flared in fury. “If you touch one hair on her head, I will rip yours off.”

“So predictable,” Cross responded. “If you want your precious wife back, you’re going to trade her for Zaitsev. Youhave ten seconds to decide. And you should know there’s a gun to her pretty, blonde head.”

One of the women gasped as Brax met Ryland’s tortured gaze and nodded.

“We’ll do whatever you want,” Ryland said between gritted teeth. His voice dropped as he begged, “Don’t hurt her, Dad.Please.”

Fuck. Brax heard the desperation in his friend’s voice and his chest tightened. He knew how helpless Ryland must feel and it ate him up inside. But they would get Harper back and take care of Cross.

“Good decision, son,” Cross said, and Ryland squeezed his eyes shut, clearly fighting for control. “Tell your team if they do one thing to piss me off, I won’t hesitate to kill her. And it won’t be pleasant or swift.”

Ryland’s hand fisted and Brax walked closer. “Where do we take Zaitsev?” Brax asked.

“Ah, if it isn’t your fearless leader. And how are you, Pharaoh?”

“Where are we doing the trade?” Brax repeated.

“France,” Cross said. “I’ll send my son the details. If you try to fuck me over, blondie here is dead. Am I clear?”

“Crystal,” Brax responded.

“Wonderful.”

The moment the call disconnected, Ryland’s knees buckled and he sank down onto a chair. Completely distraught, hehunched over and dropped his head in his hands. Brax’s heart twisted for the man.

“We’re going to get her back,” Brax assured him, clasping a hand over the other man’s shoulder. “No matter what it takes.”

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