Page 30 of Risky Taste
Once again, I want to know why.
Some part of me wants to stomp over to that pub and demand answers, the other part is terrified that I might have to pack up this weekend and hope for the best.
Logan sits on my other side, squeezing my thigh, dragging me back to reality. “Okay, so, care to tell us what has you looking like a ghost?”
“My lieutenant called. They need a doctor and I fly out Monday.”
“The fuck?” Declan exclaims. “Your file doesn’t even say active duty. Sorry, I peeked when working through everything with Heath. Checked everything I could get my hands on.”
“Which means Kurt is making his move.” I sigh. “This is bullshit, you know? Why couldn’t I have a normal brother? One that just get angry at me for sleeping with his friends? Where’sthatbrother?” A bitter laugh escapes me as I pull off my shirt, Logan and Declan just staring at me. “I’m going to sleep to avoid absolutely everything at this moment. Maybe the world will be a little nicer when I get up.”
Sleeping in the middle of the day isn’t the best idea I’ve had, but it’ll help me avoid thinking and that sounds like agreatthing. There’s another activity that would take my mind off things but I’m not sure I could enjoy it the way I desperately want to. So… nap it is.
Neither one of them protest.
Chapter twenty-one
DECLAN
Sleeping in the middle of the day sounded like a fantastic idea, but my mind is working a mile a minute and tossing and turning beside Noah was the worst option. So, instead, I’m pacing the far length ofNoah’s bedroom, something that helps calm my mind. Well, that and chewing on these candy cigarettes that Logan thinks are stupid.
They are but they also make me look bad ass. “Would you at least sit down if you aren’t going to sleep?” Logan hisses.
I growl at him as I continue to pace, wearing a groove into the carpet. “This isn’t supposed to blow back on him.” Our mistakes are never supposed to spill over into Noah’s life. “Why the fuck is Kurt hurting his own brother? It can’t actually be because of us, can it?” Although I don’t understand this new version of Kurt, I do know he is petty. I don’t even understand why he sent Noah over there the first time? Power? Control? Who the fuck knows?
Knowing that Kurt was already in bed with Heath before Noah’s deployment and then Heath was there to pick up the pieces… something isn’t sitting right with me.
Logan tucks Noah a little farther into his chest as he sits up just enough to meet my eyes. “I think that Kurt got comfortable enough with moving under the radar that he’s not thinking correctly. I think he’s out to save himself, regardless of who it hurts.”
“But it’s Noah.”
I don’t get it. I don’t understand how any man can want to hurt their own flesh and blood the way that Kurt so willingly does it. My thoughts dart to the folder still on the nightstand in Sebastian’s room with a position both Logan and I could sink our claws into. However, I’m too focused on trying to dig up clues that taking on that responsibility seems like the wrong choice.
I pull out my phone and dial the last of our trio. “We’ve got a fucking problem, Bast.”
The man chuckles on the other side of the phone. “You mean worse than meeting Victor and him saying he’s going to kick our ass if he finds out we’re involved?”
I bite my tongue, wincing at the idea of Victor coming after us. He isn’t a big dude but he’s fucking lethal. “Um, unfortunately, yeah. Worse than that. Noah’s got an assignment.”
“What the fuck?”
“Pretty sure Kurt is covering all his bases but we’ve got days before Noah is supposed to report.” I run a hand through my hair, gaze moving to Noah whose shoulders start to relax. “Could use any and all connections you have at this point.”
“Yeah, I’ll be right there.”
This time, I chuckle. “And I’m not asking you to quit the job.”
“Noah’s safety is more important at this moment. I’ll explain myself later but we need to nip this shit in the bud before it getstoo big and before Noah leaves American soil. I’ll finish the shift and then be on my way. How is he doing?”
I sigh. “Had some choice words to say about his brother before he declared that it was time to sleep. I’m not entirely sure he’s dealing with all of this as well as we think he is.” Logan mentioned finding the glass in his office and while there was no alcohol anywhere around, keeping the reminder had to be a temptation Noah just didn’t need. “Apparently, Kurt’s making it very clear where we all stand. He’s hanging at the pub, with the others we came back with and people are starting to notice.”
Bast stays silent for several moments before speaking again. “Take care of him. He’s going to need all of us.”
“Of course.”
“I mean it, Declan. No going off the deep end on this one. We all feel the same way about Kurt at this point although I’m sure you hate him just a bit more. But I can’t lose you to whatever chaotic plot is going on in your head. We stay clear of this and we’ll get out just fine. You try to go up against Kurt and I’m not sure what’s going to happen. Now, the fact that I don’t hear Logan means that he’s curled up with Noah. You should be on the other side.”
A nervous laugh falls from my lips. “Yeah, yeah, okay, I get it.”
