Page 32 of Unmasked Rivalry
“Your brother made a choice.”
I stand, shoving him so hard in the chest he actually takes a few steps back. “Go fuck yourself. If you don’t want to help, then leave. Either way, I’m not going to let my brother die.”
He growls, low in his chest. “I’ll speak to Wolfe. Ralston gets wind of this, you’re dead.”
“No shit,” I snap. “Lucky for you, he believed my little lie. So, I guess that means from now on, you’re going to have to act like you actually like me.”
My words are harsh, but I’m angry.
He is, too.
“Might as well ask for a fuckin’ miracle. Don’t leave. I’ll speak to Wolfe.”
With that, he turns and leaves.
Well, one step forward, a million steps back.
Isn’t that always how it goes?
I CAN’T SLEEP THATnight. I lie in bed, counting the stains on the ceiling, using the slow crawl of dawn as an excuse to movemy body. By sunrise, I’m up, showered, and halfway through a pot of coffee. The house is silent, and honestly, I’m not a fan.
I am just about to start cleaning for the day when a text appears on my phone. It’s from Knox.Wolfe wants to speak. Be here at 9. No later.
I type back.I’ll be there. Impeccably on time. Possibly in a pantsuit.
He doesn’t answer. I spend ten minutes glaring at my phone, just in case, but nothing.
Asshole.
You best believe if I had a pantsuit, I would be wearing it. Instead, I go with faded jeans, a loose white tank, and a pair of Converse. Then, I get myself to the club before Knox has another reason to be pissed at me.
It’s quiet when I arrive, and I am guessing by the mass of empty beer cans, half-naked women, and the smell of cigarettes in the main area, that they partied hard last night. I move towards the main bar, and when I get in, Wolfe is already sitting, a massive mug of black coffee in front of him. He looks up, not smiling, but nods to me.
Knox, Zane, Talon, and Kael are all standing around, some smoking, some drinking coffee, all of them staring at me as I walk in. I avoid Knox’s stare, really wishing I had a pantsuit just to see his expression, and go and sit on the stool beside Wolfe.
"Coffee?” Wolfe asks and gestures to the coffee pot. I pour myself a cup.
"We're gonna help you," he finally goes on, "But we're not gonna rush this. Ralston Cupp is connected. He’s smart and he’s fuckin’ dangerous. Need time to figure out how the fuck to bring him down.”
"Awesome," I murmur into my coffee, keeping my eyes glued to the cup.
"For now, you go with what he tells you to do. We'll watch him, scope out every move, every person he sends to your farm. We'll get the dirt, and when the time is right, we take him down. You just do as he says in the meantime. Keep your head above water. You got that?"
I nod, resisting the urge to ask what “take him down” means, exactly. But I already know. Men like Wolfe don’t call the police.
"And your brother," Wolfe adds, a little less rough. "We'll keep tabs. If Cupp tries anything in lockup, we'll know."
My throat tightens, but I play it cool. "Thank you."
Wolfe finishes his coffee in one swallow and stands. “Knox’ll keep you updated. Do what he tells you, and we’ll have no problem. Clear?”
"Crystal," I say. “Sir.”
I’m being sarcastic, but it brings a grin to his face anyway. “Knew I liked you.”
With that, he turns and leaves.
The other guys follow, leaving me alone with Knox.
