Ethan (Alluring Indulgence #5)(39)
Author: Nicole Edwards

He knew Zane loved his brother, but Zane had made the comment that he thought Ethan was a player. That he was cold. Beau knew better. Sure, from the outside looking in, that’s the picture Ethan painted for everyone else, but in recent days, Beau had noticed a different side to Ethan. One that he knew most people never had the opportunity to see. Even his own family.

Beau and Zane made quick work of getting the toolbox down from the truck. After pushing it over into one of the far corners and out of the way, Beau relocated the wrecker back to its parking spot outside. When he returned, he found Zane crouching down at Ethan’s side, a disturbing scowl on his face.

Before they realized he was back, Beau eased outside again, listening to the conversation that seemed to be escalating at a rapid pace.

“Mind your own fucking business,” Ethan growled, the sound of the backboard he used to ease under the trucks rolling across the concrete floor.

“He is my business,” Zane disputed.

“You don’t even know what the fuck you’re talking about,” Ethan bit out, his voice sounding louder. Beau figured he was probably standing face to face with Zane right about then, but he had backed up just enough that he couldn’t see inside.

“Look, I don’t give a damn what you do, or what Beau does for that matter, but I do fucking care if you’re playing with him.”

The silence that followed Zane’s statement was deafening.

“Back the fuck off,” Ethan finally said, his words low and intimidating.

“I plan to. But, I’m serious, E. Don’t fucking hurt him.”

The sound of boots scuffling on concrete echoed in the shop and Beau turned the corner just in time to come face to face with a scowling Zane.

“Everything ok?” he asked, trying to act as though he hadn’t heard what they’d just said.

Zane smiled, a gesture that seemed incredibly forced. “Good. I’ve got to run some errands. You want to meet up at Moonshiners later tonight for a beer?”

Beau managed to keep from looking over at Ethan, but he wasn’t sure how. “Let me get back to you on that. I’ve got to take care of something this afternoon.”

Zane looked over at Ethan and then back to Beau. After nodding his head once, he took off. It was clear by Zane’s reaction that he knew something was going on. Beau wondered whether they’d been that obvious. Then he wondered whether the fact that Zane sensed there was something between them would send Ethan back into hiding.

There were plenty of questions and not nearly enough answers, but the only thing Beau knew for an absolute fact… he wasn’t about to let that happen.

Chapter Twelve

♂♀

“Sonuvabitch!” Zane growled when he walked through his front door, slamming it behind him hard enough to rattle the windows.

“What’s wrong?” V questioned from her position on the couch, her laptop resting on her lap.

Zane didn’t answer her, he simply stalked to the refrigerator and pulled out a beer. After wrestling with the cap, he finally managed to open it and downed half in one gulp, never even tasting it.

“It’s a little early for that, don’t you think?” V asked sweetly.

Zane glanced over at the clock on the microwave. It was almost noon. That wasn’t too early in his book. After another swallow, he looked over at V, wondering why she wasn’t pushing to make him talk. After all, he’d dodged two of her questions already.

When he met her eyes, he saw that she was smiling. Oddly enough, he didn’t get angry at her even though his mood had taken a serious downturn after his conversation with Ethan a few minutes ago.

“So why are you home so early?” V asked, setting her laptop on the coffee table and repositioning herself on the couch.

“Not happy to see me?” he retorted, downing the rest of his beer before tossing the bottle in the trash can.

“Of course I’m happy to see you.”

“Then why aren’t you naked?” he asked sarcastically, an unavoidable grin forming on his lips. The thought of V naked, that always made him smile. Hell, any thought of V made him smile. She had a way about her that soothed his soul.

“Because you’re spoiled enough already.”

Ok, so this wasn’t getting him anywhere.

Zane joined her on the couch, sitting at the opposite end and leaning his head back on the cushion.

“What happened?”

“Ethan’s an asshole.” Zane peered over at her momentarily.

V tilted her head to the side, watching him carefully. “What did he do this time?”

Zane returned his gaze to the ceiling and then closed his eyes, sighing heavily. “It wasn’t what he did, it’s who he’s about to do.”