Page 20 of Dirty Martini
“I heard you at the penthouse,” he spits, giving me one last shove before stepping back. “You think I’m trouble? Then don’t bother. You’re not my brother, you’re not my father, and you’re not my goddamn keeper. Stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of yours.”
That’s what I wanted to do. That’s what Ishoulddo. I don’t know what overcame me earlier, but caring for Everest is nothing but a mistake. My life will be a shit ton easier if I just let him do what he wants, worry about myself, and allow him to ruin his life too if that’s what he chooses.
“Fine,” I snap, fussing with my backward baseball cap, fingers itching for a cigarette. “Where the fuck are you going?”
“Not your problem!” he shouts over his shoulder. “Just tell Elton I found a hookup for the night, and I’ll be home tomorrow morning.”
“If I’m not your keeper, I’m certainly not your messenger!”
“Then just keep your mouth fucking shut!”
With those lovely parting words, Everest disappears into the busy street, mingling with the crowd before my body has the chance to do something stupid like follow him. Concern tries to settle in my gut, but I push it aside. Despite what Elton asked me to do, his brother isn’t someone for me to worry about.
Like I said. If he wants to fuck up his life,let him.
That’s the only thought I carry through the night as I head back into the club, intent on finishing up my shift, but when my body screams at me to go after him, I feel guilt pooling in mygut. He was fucked up. What if he didn’t make it home? What if someone found him and took advantage?—
“I’m going home!” I shout at Britt, already reaching for the keys to Elton’s BMW.
Her eyes widen as she shakes her head. “Rhys, you can’t just leave on a Saturday night.”
I know she’s right, but the need to make sure Everest is okay is just too strong to ignore. “If Davis asks, it was an emergency.”
She shakes her head. “You can’t leave me alone?—”
“You have Skylar,” I snap as I work my way around her to the edge of the bar. “I’m sorry, Britt, but I have to go.”
I know I’m going to get shit from her later if the fury in her eyes is any indication, but I’ve known Britt for a long time, and she’ll understand. Skylar gives me a questioning arch of his eyebrow as I pass in front of him, his mouth opening to say something, but I’m already past him before he has the chance to. I race out the back door to where I parked, getting into the car, and hauling ass to get home, just hoping I’ll be relieved at what I find.
It takes me way too long to get to the penthouse, and I’m barreling through the elevator doors before they’re fully open. Without giving it any thought, I run up the stairs to Everest’s room, not knowing if I should be happy or concerned when the door is unlocked as I enter. I whip my head around the room, ignoring the scattered moving boxes, and something loosens in my chest when I see the faint outline of a figure in the bed.
Fucking hell.
The relief I feel is instantaneous. It’s like I can think straight again. But that ends when I see that Everest isn’t alone. I guess he did somehow find a hookup for the night, and I curse myself for being an idiot. He wasfine. He still is. I shake my head, disappointed and furious with myself for letting him work me up again. I go to head out of the room, but stop short when theperson lying with him turns on their side. I’m not prepared for the overwhelming rage, the sheer sense ofprimalness.
It’s Knox fucking Sanders in bed with him.
Suddenly, all the reasons I was wanting to avoid Everest come rushing back. If this is who he chooses to associate himself with, the life he wants to live, the mistakes he wants to make—well, it’s his to choose.
So I’ll let him do his thing. Let him fuck around with someone who doesn’t give a shit about anything either. Let him ruin his life.
Straight into the trouble I know he is.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Everest
I wake up with a groan.
I try to stretch out my arms to quell my pounding head, but my hands bump clumsily into something hard and squishy. Peeling my eyes open, I gasp when I see Knox lying by my side.
He’s awake, that trademark smirk on his face as he squeezes my naked thigh under the covers. “Morning.”
“Morning,” I breathe, blinking at him repeatedly, trying to recall the events of last night. “Did we…?”
He shakes his head. “Nah, you were too toasted. I got you home and you let me crash.”
I nod, noting my dry mouth and general exhaustion. I must have gotten into it last night because I’m completely dead right now. Whatever I did?—
