Page 19 of Nix
“I don’t like the look on your face,” Mules told him.
“What look?” Nix batted his eyelashes innocently. “I always look like this.”
“Why are you asking about Vin?” he repeated.
Damn it. Nix shook his phone. “Aries talks about him. A lot. Like all the damn time.”
Mules pressed his lips together before he gave a slow nod. “I can see that.”
“Why?” Nix demanded. If the vampire thought Aries was easy prey, then he would learn the truth real fast. Nix wasn’t scared of him or not afraid enough not to protect his little brother. He’d taken on all kinds of men to protect his Aries overthe years. During the first few weeks in college, Nix had gotten in a fight every damn day because some of the other guys bullied Aries.
Mules shifted on the couch, bringing his knee closer to Nix’s hand.
Nix wanted to touch him. He just didn’t know how Mules would respond. They were friendlier. Mules even used Nix’s teasing bestie nickname, but their friendship was so new. Nix didn’t want to mess anything up. Especially not when Nix was feeling all kinds of riled up about Mules.
He jerked out of his thoughts as Mules grabbed his wrist. “Nix? Vin is a good guy. He wouldn’t hurt Aries.”
“Are you sure?” Nix pressed. Some guys just acted like they were good but when they didn’t get what they wanted from Aries, they turned angry.
“I know it for a fact.” Mules squeezed Nix’s wrist. “Vin is the type of person that will do whatever he can to protect Aries, to make him happy. Your brother couldn’t find a better friend.”
“I’m pretty sure that Aries isn’t only interested in him as a friend.” And that meant something big. At least for Aries. Aries wasn’t like him. His little brother didn’t fuck around at all. Aries identified as demisexual. He had to really know the person before he was attracted. Trust. Aries might want to be friends with everyone but finding a true partner had been difficult.
“Did Aries tell you that?” Mules questioned.
“He doesn’t think like that,” Nix replied carefully. It wasn’t his place to share information that Aries didn’t just tell anyone.
“I’m not sure what you mean,” Mules said.
Nix threw his hands up. “I can’t tell you, Mules!”
Mules barked out a laugh. “For fuck’s sake, call me Evan.”
Oh! That must mean they were real besties. “Evan.” Nix tested out the name. It suited Mules. No, Evan. Yes, Nix liked that. “We really are besties! Now tell me everything about Vin. Everything. Especially if he has any weaknesses.”
“Not going to happen,” Evan replied. “It isn’t my place either.”
“But we must protect Aries!”
“Your brother will be fine.” Evan sounded so sure.
Nix narrowed his eyes. They were playing Vegas next. Nix knew there had to be a way to get Vin alone to interrogate him. “I’ll call Gem!”
“That doesn’t sound like a recipe for disaster or anything,” Evan teased.
“Could be worse,” Nix offered. “I could call our mom.”
“That sounds terrifying.”
Evan wasn’t wrong. Maybe Nix would hold the mom card for now. Until he saw Aries and Vin together with his own eyes. No need to get his mom involved until Nix knew more. Popping up unexpected wasn’t something his mom was past doing.
Chapter Four
Nix
Nix paced the arena hall as he waited for his brother. It had been a good hard game and even though they lost, Nix felt good about how he’d played. Now he only had a few minutes with Aries before his brother would be on a plane flying back to Vegas.
It wasn’t nearly enough time.
