Page 43 of Kade

He said it with such a straight face, Kade gaped at him.

“I think you’ve caused an aneurism.” Angel grinned when Kade’s face turned bright red and the vein at the side of his head started to throb. “Mr. Prude, here, has no sense of adventure.”

“He is a prude.” Conner hummed as he drove.

“I am not a prude,” Kade spluttered. “Just for that, there will be no finger fucking tonight.”

She stuck her tongue out at him and settled into his side. “Is Allison single?”

“I have no idea. It’s been months since I talked to her.”

“Was she single?” Conner asked, turning the radio on.

“She was.” Kade grimaced at the rap music that blared out of the radio. “Do we have to listen to this?”

“Yes.” Conner ignored Kade’s pleas to find something they all could agree on. “I’m driving. I pick the music.”

“So, what’s the plan?” Angel interrupted the argument about to ensue. Her head ached, and while the music caused it to hurt more, she’d deal with it. “Do you want to hook up with Jeremy or Allison?”

“Why not both?” Conner turned to look at her, his black eyes alight with devilment. It was the first real emotion she’d seen from him.

“Both?” Kade slapped a hand to his head. “You realize they work together?”

“And?” Conner turned his attention back to the road.

“And it could cause problems.”

“Nah. If I’m upfront with them both, they’ll have no reason to be jealous of each other. Hell, they might even decide to come play with me together. Allison definitely had a reaction when Jeremy stood next to her. She likes him.”

So, he’d picked up on that too, had he? Angel’s thoughts went straight to the gutter, and she shifted a little. She needed the finger fucking Kade was threatening to withhold from her. Sooner rather than later.

“Conner, I love you and I support you, but I don’t want to hear this!”

Conner finally let out a laugh, the first Angel had heard from him. It was open, honest, and reminded her of Dimitri. Kade froze, his expression awed. Did Conner not laugh a lot?

“Brat, I love you too. I swear I will keep my fuckery as far away from you as I can.”

Angel was amazed at the change in Kade’s brother. Conner might scare the shit out of her, but he was growing on her. He had a wicked sense of humor hidden behind that cold mask.

Jasper met them when they pulled into the hotel, or ratherbehindthe hotel. The back lot was gated off and required a secure password to enter, which Conner punched in. Two very bulky looking men waited alongside Jasper. They wore dark sunglasses and stood at attention. TheirMen In Blackimpersonation did nothing to inspire confidence.

“You’re all checked in,” Jasper said as soon as he opened Kade’s door. “I’ve got your keycards. We can use the back elevators. Nik reserved suites for everyone.”

Angel was hustled out of the SUV and into the building. The gleaming tile floors winked at her briefly as Kade made her all but run to the elevator. She understood his hurry, but the dizziness from the concussion was kicking in. The doctor warned her it could happen over the next few days. He counseled rest, but that wasn’t in the cards for her.

They parted ways with Conner and Jasper at their room. Inside, she let out a little gasp. They had a suite. It hadn’t registered until this moment. The bedroom was off by itself, and she walked into two cozy couches facing a large flat screen. Black and white photos of the beach decorated the pale tan walls. She got nosy and went exploring. Much to her delight, there was a balcony that looked out to the water, and she rushed outside.

“Hello, neighbor.”

She looked up to see Conner across the way. He stood, leaning against the railing, gazing out at the water. There was a look of such sadness on his face, it made her want to reach out and hug him. It was gone so fast she might have imagined it, though.

“Can you smell the ocean?” She took a deep breath, enjoying the salty air. It reminded her of summer days spent building sandcastles and chasing Peter along the hot sand.

“It’s salty.” The sour tone gave way to a sigh. “I’ll be inside if you need anything.” He closed the balcony doors to his room, and she jumped when Kade wrapped his arms around her.

“What’s put a stick up his ass?”

“I have no idea.” Angel frowned, thinking. Something was bothering him, and she was pretty sure whatever bad memory it was had to do with the ocean.

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