Page 80 of Rise of the King (Checkmate 5)

“Nah,” Eric confirms Soph’s words. “She’s single and alone. She’s not a threat, so I can’t bring myself to peek into her windows.”

“She’s definitely alone?”

“Yup, and she’s hot.”

I scowl and plan to smack him upside the head when we see each other again.

“Why didn’t Jess go over yet?” Alex asks. “I’m not saying you should send my sister into unknown territory, but it surprises me she didn’t get a bug in her ass and do it anyway.”

“She’s busy with Laine.” He shrugs. “Priorities. The chick across the street is tiny and keeps to herself. She’s not a problem for us.”

“The chick across the street is a problem for everyone,” I murmur. “Most dangerous creature I ever met.”

She laughs and leans in close, only to hit the screen Kane’s audio sits in then turns it up. They’re ten minutes out and taking a piss at the welcome to town sign.

It warms my heart a little that Kane huffs about thevacation from hell. That maybe he had more fun with me, even when I nearly died against the rocks, than he had with the twins and Angelo.

When I come back, I’m taking him fishing, and Angelo ain’t invited.

“Fuckkkkk.” When the old car rounds the corner onto our street, Angelo’s groan makes me smile and sit taller. The crew across the street stands taller. They prepare to fight to get their sisters back and inadvertently create a kinship in my heart. We don’t even know each other, but they want theirs back, and I want mine back.

Neither side will win, because Kane’s never giving Jess up. But at least they feel what I feel.

“Alright.” Soph grabs my jaw and drags my face around. “He’s home; he’s safe; he’s kinda in love. We have work to do, because I get the feeling the heat’s gonna hit now that he’s home.”

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