Page 14 of Duress
“Do you remember the case a few years back, a cop got busted for DV, stalking, kidnapping, inappropriate use of police resources?”
I wrack my brain trying to remember what he’s referring to. “I’m not sure if I do. What about it?”
“Well, apparently the cop in question was Dominick Reeves, Skip Harrington’s brother-in-law. Veronica is his older sister.”
A light bulb goes off in my head as I remember Veronica mentioning how much she missed her baby brother during our brunch. She hadn’t told me why he wasn’t around, and I honestly didn’t care enough to ask, but now I kind of wish I had. It seems like that knowledge would be pertinent to have right now.
“Okay…” I trail off, not sure where he’s going with this story, but my spidey senses tell me I’m not going to like it. There is another reason why that name sounds familiar, but my brain can’t place it.
“Skip wants me to head up Dominick’s upcoming appeal. Dane was involved in his original conviction, but according to Dominick, there were some very sketchy legal circumstances involved in getting his partner to flip on him. He wants me to convince Dane to testify on his behalf at the hearing.”
“Those sound like some pretty serious allegations. Do you think Dane would be willing to do that?” Nauseaswirls in my gut at the thought of my husband working to get an awful man like Dominick out of prison just for politics.
“He may not be willing, but I’m going to find a way to get him to do it. If I get Dom off, Skip is going to endorse me when I run for judgeship. Between Skip being on the legislature and your dad’s clout from his time on the bench, I’ll be a shoe in. I just need to get Dane to meet with me. He’s been avoiding me. Do you know why that would be?” I stiffen in Bryce’s hold, and his grip around my waist tightens.
“W-why would I? I don’t talk to your brother.” I hope he can’t tell how hard my heart is pounding, panic creeping in the back of my mind that somehow he does know about the kiss.
“He hung out here waiting for me the other night, didn’t he? Did he say anything negative about me?”
It takes me several seconds to process his words and realize they aren’tI know you kissed him you lying whore. I shake my head, trying to keep my expression as neutral as humanly possible.
“No. He didn’t talk about you… Maybe he’s mad because you stood him up?” I throw out the suggestion, hoping my voice sounds less guilty than I feel.
Bryce sets his rocks glass on the side table before sliding his fingers lift up the hem of my skirt. He leans forward, brushing his lips against my pulse point as his palm slowly glides up my thigh.
“Because…I know he wants you. He always has.”
Sucking in a sharp gasp, my eyes slam shut, bracing for his next words.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he tried to make me look bad in front of you. He’s always hated me. Hated that I have you and he doesn’t.”
My heart feels like it’s going to explode from my chest. I keep waiting for the accusation. The venom. Instead, his lips trace along my jaw line before capturing mine in a rough, possessive kiss. My skin heats under his touch. He’s not kissing me like he’s angry. He’s kissing me like he wants to devour me. I’m a confused mess of panic, guilt, and arousal. When his hand reaches my sex, he slips a finger past the elastic of my thong and runs it along my slit. The hand that was around my waist moves up to grip the back of my neck. Bryce jerks my head back, ending our kiss, staring me in the eye.
“You’d tell me if he tried to make me look bad. Wouldn’t you?”
I nod, but Bryce tightens his hold on my neck, apparently not satisfied with my nonverbal response.
“Y-yes. I’d tell you.”
His lips quirk up into grin that is devoid of all emotion. “That’s my girl.” In a motion too swift for my brain to recognize, he has me turned so I’m straddling his lap, and he’s directing my hands to his erection with the hand that was playing with my pussy. His intentions are clear on what he wants me to do.
“Get my dick out and ride it, Everly.”
My brain screams at me, trying to tell me something is wrong. After ignoring me sexually for so long, he’ssuddenly all over me. I want to ask him what’s changed. I want stop this, but I’m afraid it will make him more suspicious of Dane.
The buzzing of a phone on the side table shatters the intensity of the moment. I pull away from him and glance at his phone. Dane’s name flashes on the screen.
“Oh, uh, look there. You should get that.” I scoot off Bryce’s lap while he’s distracted. Some subconscious part of my brain realizes how damn uncanny their sense of timing seems to be. Bryce looks at me like he’s going to tell me to stay, but I back away, putting distance between us.
“I’m gonna go change; I want to get out of this dress. Come find me when you’re done.” I wink, hoping he buys my excuse so I can have some time to process what the hell is going on.
Running his hand through his hair, Bryce dismisses me with a nod before turning his attention back to his phone. Letting out a relieved sigh, I retreat to our bedroom to get this maelstrom of emotions under control.
CHAPTER 13
DANE
As I listen to the phone ring and ring, the only thought that runs through my mind is that I don’t want to have this conversation. I don’t want to talk to my brother at all. Somehow all of his pretentiousness manages to ooze through the phone, and he never fails to remind me how inferior to him I am. We’ve gone months without direct communication, which is what I thought was our preferred status quo. What the hell could be so important for him to be up my ass? The only reason I am relenting and calling him back is Everly. I know how Bryce is when he’s in a shitty mood, and I don’t want to be the reason he’s in a shitty mood if he takes it out on Everly. If talking to him and being near him will allow me more time with Everly, then I’ll grit my teeth and do it.
