The Lover’s Promise (No Exceptions #3)(27)
Author: J.C. Reed

“I don’t know what you mean,” I said cautiously.

“You know exactly what I mean.” His smile was gone. My heart hammered in my chest as Brian stepped forward and I inched back. His stance was casual, but the threat was palpable in the air.

Oh, shoot.

“So?” he prompted.

Something about the way he was standing and looking at me, told me he knew something. The question was what did he know?

Heck, he could as well be referring to Tiffany. The image of Jett’s lips on Brian’s girlfriend’s lips made me cringe. I groaned inwardly. If Brian didn’t stop his inquisition any time soon, this might just take a whole day. I considered telling him to fuck off, when he took another menacing step forward.

“I don’t know.” I wet my lips slowly. “I’m not here to get you guys into trouble, Brian. I’m here to talk with Jett and see how he’s doing. Nothing more. Nothing less.”

At least one eighth was the truth.

“Nice one,” Brian said. “Just answer the question.”

“Oh please. As if I would keep secrets from you.”

“Answer the fucking question, Brooke.”

I stared at him. It was the first time he had said my name so forcefully, like a command. I regarded him warily. He was so close he could have touched me if he reached out, and my heart fluttered with nervousness. I wasn’t afraid of Brian. I had once been, but that stopped after I realized he was a man of loyalty who would never let his friends down. Okay, he was a bit of an actor who played hard and liked to test people’s boundaries—just like he was testing me now—but that didn’t make him a bad person.

I couldn’t help but think about Tiffany kissing Jett and how hurtful it would be if he ever found out. I looked down, avoiding his probing gaze, the images inside my head both raw and shameful. No guy, not even a macho like Brian, deserved to be cheated on, especially since Brian had contributed to Jett saving my life. Without his gang’s help, Jett would never have found me when I was kidnapped.

“How long have we known each other?” Brian asked quietly.

The question took me by surprise.

“Obviously, not so long that I’d know what you want.”

“The first time you arrived, do you remember what I said to you?”

“That I have to stick to the rules?” I suggested, shrugging.

“That’s right. You have to stick to my rules, which means you have to run everything past me. That’s how things here work. You report to me.” He stared at me, leaving the silence open to interpretation.

Seconds stretched into minutes during which I could slowly feel myself giving in. The way Brian was standing, waiting, looking at me, I knew he wouldn’t cave in until he got an answer.

God, he was a stubborn ox.

I rolled my eyes inwardly. If I didn’t owe Brian, I would so have kicked him where it hurt the most.

“Oh, please.” I waved my hands. “If you have you to know, I’m hiding first rate evidence in a murder case in my truck. My drink was spiked and I have no clue what I did between two and four a.m. Fuck, for all I know I might have killed someone or be an accomplice to murder. Then my best friend keeps thinking I’m suicidal. And oh, did I mention that I think I’m quite hormonal and emotional? Trust me, you don’t want to deal with a pregnant woman. I’m this close to having a mental breakdown.” I held out my thumb and index finger in front of him. “This close to checking myself into a psycho ward to avoid killing Jett because he’s a jerk. Seriously, even if I had secrets, trust me, Brian, you wouldn’t want me to start boring you with them. I’m lucky enough if I manage to get Jett’s attention when he’s not busy with his work.”

Brian stared at me in silence before breaking out in a loud, guffawing laughter, and then slapped my shoulder. “I was just kidding. Of course I don’t want to hear about your pregnancy plans with Jett. You’re free to come and see him whenever you want to.” Wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, he turned to address his friends. “As if I don’t have enough women crapping in my ear with their bullshit. Five bucks says she’ll buy my joke again.”

Someone high-fived him. I turned away, disgusted.

Men and their stupid jokes.

Typical. Did they ever grow up?

I shook my head as I watched Brian signaling his friends. Within seconds his friends, guards or whatever they were, were gone.

“In you come.” Brian opened the door wide and motioned me in.

As I walked past him, I noticed how quiet it had become. The smile on Brian’s lips had died and a shudder ran down my spine. The realization kicked in that there was a small possibility that the signal he gave to his friends had meant he wanted to be alone with me.

That was the last thing I wanted.

“So, where’s Jett?” I asked casually. In my mind, I fought the urge to leave. By no means, I was scared of Brian.

Not at all.

Except maybe a little bit, based on the fact that he was unpredictable, bipolar, and generally a scary guy.

He pointed his chin to the chairs. “Downstairs.”

“Thanks.” I turned, ready to go, when his hand touched my shoulder.

“Brooke. I need to talk to you.” As soon as the door closed behind us, bathing us in darkness except for the weak light of a naked bulb, Brian’s gaze focused on me.

Why did it feel like I was in big trouble? With a nervous sigh, I closed another button on my coat, hoping that the extra layer of wool would make my skin thicker to anything he had to say.

“I was hoping you came to tell me about Jett,” Brian started, regarding me intently. “Did it never occur to you that I’d find out my girlfriend kissed your boyfriend?”

I looked up surprised, but then composed myself as quickly.

“Ex,” I corrected quietly. “And no, I don’t believe in trashing her name. What’s the purpose when the damage is already done?”

Brian let out a small laugh. This time I knew it was fake from the way his smile barely reached his eyes. It was the kind of smile that rendered people untrustworthy, especially when it came with a dangerous glint.

He shook his head. “It’s strange that you say ‘ex.’ Jett never mentioned a separation.”

“He didn’t?” My voice came all croaky and hoarse while my heart fluttered in my chest while, at the same, I cursed myself for being so stupid. Taking a deep, steadying breath, I decided to be frank about my thoughts.