Page 33 of Unveiled Wishes

“Maybe,” I said, trying to relax again.

Another hour went by, but my anxiety over the situation didn’t dissipate. It only increased as I tried to picture what Emily was wearing. I wasn’t the only one, as I watched Grizz and Sabre tryto act normal, sitting at the bar. Sabre cradled JR in his arm, looking over the main room.

“We could go get them,” Grizz said, finally breaking the uncomfortable silence that had formed.

“I am not listening to the complaints about how we didn’t trust them to be on their own,” Sabre said, jiggling JR to make him giggle.

“We’re bored, and we can use that as an excuse.” Count lifted his head from the pool table before lining his shot back up.

Sabre bounced JR in his arms. “I am on daddy duty, so how is that going to work out?”

“You said doody.” Pretty laughed from his spot on the couch. More than one head shook at his antics.

“What if we drive by and someone sneaks in to check on them?” Scrub added. Dr. Matthews usually took the overnights, so it was a rare occasion that he was hanging out with us in the main room.

“That will not win you any favors,” How said, finishing his beer.

“How would you know? You weren’t even a brother when she walked out.”

“I’ve heard you pine enough to know what happened. Man up, dude.” How stood up from the couch, heading towards the bar to get a new beer.

“Who the fuck are you talking about? You’re trying to pass your sister off to your best friend.”

Was he really doing that? I’d wondered why he was suddenly okay with it.

“Don’t even fuck with me with that fucking shit.” How grabbed his beer from the prospect and raised it towards Scrub. “Zook gave her up because he thought he wasn’t good enough. You didn’t go to bat for your woman, and now you expect her to fall on her knees and thank her lucky stars.”

“Are you saying I'm selfish?” Scrub stood from the stool, where he’d been watching the pool game.

“Hey!” Sabre shouted at them. “Knock it off. We’re not having a brawl over stupidity in the middle of the clubhouse.” JR cooed at just the right minute, as if he agreed, causing all of us to laugh.

Cyph lined up his shot on the pool table. “If you really wanted to spy on them, I could tap into the security feed at the bar, but all non-club information comes with a price,” he said quietly.

“How much?” someone asked.

I didn’t care how much it was. If the rest of the brothers paid, I’d pay too. I told myself that it was to make to sure Emily was safe, but it was a lie. I wanted to see her having fun with the other women. It would be another layer, beyond How and me, that would make her want to stay.

“Two hundred for each brother that has an interest. That includes both Slate and Thunder.” Cyph said it so smoothly that most of us had to make sure that we’d heard him correctly.

“I am not paying two hundred,” Slate huffed from where he played poker with the older brothers.

“You’re sleeping with Bear. You pay.” Cyph took his turn at the pool table.

“He’s an extortionist, Slate. You won’t win this one.” Grizz turned to ask Sabre, “What are you doing?”

“Putting JR to bed. If we all paid, word would get back to them. Like I said, I am not starting that shit when I can just ask Grace when she gets back.” He stood from his chair, shifted JR in his arm, and went to walk upstairs. “Come on, kid. It’s bedtime. You don’t get to spy on Mama.”

“Does that mean we still can?” someone yelled towards the stairs.

Sabre pivoted and looked at the men in the main room. “Leave them alone. We won’t set a dangerous precedent when theycould make our lives hell. Meredith already does.” He smiled, causing the room to laugh.

“That’s my wife.” Grizz puffed out his chest, proud as a peacock.

“Until she kills you in your sleep.” Pretty fell off the couch from laughing so hard. He hit the floor with a loudthump.

Time seemed to stand still for me as Grizz’s phone rang. My stomach clenched as he reached for it in his back pocket. I didn’t care what Meredith had gotten herself into now, but Emily was with her. The room went deadly silent as we waited, and even Sabre stopped at the top of the stairs.

“Hello?” Grizz said into the phone. He nodded his head a few times, like he was agreeing with whatever was being said. “Where are you?” He paused.

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