Vigilant (The Firm #3)

Chapter 1

WYLDER

Most of my work for The Firm has me behind a desk. Logistics are more my calling than getting my hands dirty. I leave that to my brothers.

It’s safer that way.

For everyone involved.

I caged the monster created by my father a long time ago. I keep him there by living life rigidly. I follow a routine. Work out. Eat healthily. Maintain The Firm while simultaneously running the scholarship program. Date boring women who will never push me.

It’s about staying vigilant. Controlling every aspect of my world tightly, so that there’s no chance the monster can escape.

Everything was going swimmingly.

Okay, so Candace turned out to be an unsuitable choice. Our so-called relationship ended for me the moment she insulted my brothers at dinner.

I planned on breaking things off, but life got in the way.

Enter Neo.

The complication I can’t ignore. The five-foot-five spitfire who thinks it’s funny to rattle the monster’s cage until I can’t think straight.

Neo.

When I suggested that everyone move home while we dealt with the Umbra Syndicate, I, of course, included Ansel’s friend Neo. Don’t get me wrong, he drives me fucking crazy.

But the thought of him getting hurt? That drives me crazier.

It’s been hard enough having my brothers in my space again, let alone the others. Well, all except Matthias, Wyatt, and Jackson. They insisted on staying at their place.

And I, in turn, insisted they have twenty-four seven security. Matthias complained, naturally, but I take the safety of those I care about seriously.

Very seriously.

I thought maybe Cade would be easier to be around now that he’s in love. I was wrong. If anything, he’s worse. Not only is he just as crazy as before, but his obsession with Ansel can’t be healthy.

I can’t imagine being that possessive and protective over someone not related to me. It’s just…odd.

Liar.

I scoff at my inner voice. At the monster whispering from his cage.

Neo’s presence in my home is sensible. Logical. Smart. All things I am known for being.

Unfortunately, having him here is making me feel things I’ve worked hard not to be known for.

Irrational.

Distracted.

Impulsive.

From finding a fucking miniature horse in my yard to the dildo he left strapped to my pillow, Neo seems determined to push every last one of my buttons.

Worst of all? I have no idea why I’m letting him.

What he did tonight, though…that was the final straw.

With anyone else, I would’ve shut this behavior down long ago. Technically, Neo doesn’t need to be in my home for me to keep him safe. I’m the head of the richest, most influential family in the city. That’s before we even take The Firm into account.

I can keep Neo safe in any place of my choosing.

So, why the fuck did I choose to give him the bedroom next to mine?

It makes no sense.

I might be many things, but I’m not a fool. Nor am I oblivious to the massive betting pool my brothers have going. All of them think they know what’s happening between Neo and me—what’s going to happen.

Fools, the lot of them. I’m not interested in Neo like that. Even if I weren’t straight, I’d never fall for someone like him.

He’s too unpredictable. Too challenging. Too…dangerous.

But it’s their money to burn. As soon as I figure out how to take down the Umbra Syndicate, Neo can go back to his life, and I can go back to mine. There won’t be any more chaos, just the solid routine I’ve built for myself.

I ignore the gnawing in my stomach as I lengthen my stride. I can’t wait for the day when Neo is finally out of my sight, out of my mind, and out of my life.

Then why are you dragging your feet over investigating Umbra?

I grind my teeth. I’m not dragging my feet.

Ansel provided us with a lot of evidence before he was kidnapped, but not who’s overseeing the operation.

And we still don’t know exactly what they want from us.

That’s what I need to know, and there’s only so much I can learn through the traditional avenues.

And seeing as Cade has forbidden me from asking for Ansel’s help, my hands are tied…

Because Ansel’s the only hacker under your roof?

My nostrils flare as I wait in the shadows. The day I ask Neo for help is the day hell freezes over. Living with him is one thing; working alongside him is something else entirely.

Sure. That’s why you don’t want his help. Nothing to do with the fact that you can’t think straight when he’s around.

Because he drives me crazy, that’s why. Makes me do things that are completely out of character.

Well, out of character for the identity I’ve created. The version of myself that can don a suit and shake the hands of corrupt politicians without fantasizing about how I’d murder them.

Neo seems determined to break the facade I’ve so carefully created. I can’t let him.

He has no idea of what he’s trying to unleash.

It’s why I took this job tonight. After finding his little gift in my bed, I had to do something—something to appease my monster that didn’t involve tracking Neo down and shoving the lingerie into his mouth.

The lingerie that, according to the note, he came all over.

At first, I didn’t understand why he’d bothered to leave a note. It was obvious what he’d done.

But that was when one part of the message jumped out at me. A question and answer that had me snatching up The Firm’s latest request and telling my brothers I’d deal with this one personally.

Want to know what I was picturing as I came?

Course you do. It was you. It always is. All that ever changes are the location and details. Tonight, I imagined I was under your desk while you were on the phone. The person you were speaking to had no idea that your cock was in my mouth. Your balls in my hand. Your cum in my throat.

But I knew.

And so did you.

Neo’s obsession with taunting me makes no sense. He has a boyfriend, for fuck’s sake. One he cares very much about.

Or so he says. Everything from how he drags himself out the front door for their dates to his sour expression when he returns suggests otherwise.

Not that I’m paying attention. Or lingering in the foyer until he returns like a stalker.

Okay, so maybe I am, but it’s for his safety. No other reason. I have limits. It’s not like I’m stalking him on his dates.

We could do that.

See? This is what happens. I get all caught up in Neo and start behaving like one of my brothers. They might think it’s fine to be led by their baser instincts, but I know better.

Obsession is dangerous. Foolish.

And, like I’ve said, I’m no fool.

Neither is Neo, which is why I’m even more confused by his behavior. He knows I’m not interested in him like that. Even if I were into men, I’d never be into Neo.

We mix like gasoline and fire: combustible and dangerous to everyone around us.

Besides, I have Candace…much to the chagrin of my family.

After Neo waltzed into my life, I quickly realized I couldn’t end things. Not officially, at least. If Neo’s this bad when he believes I’m in a relationship, I dread to think what he’d be like if I were single.

Technically, I am. Candace knows how the land lies between us. She made her bed the night Ansel slammed a well-deserved pie into her face. Anything that might’ve existed between us is dead and buried.

But, for the sake of appearances, we’re pretending otherwise. She’s going along with it because I’m a Buckingham. Because I’m Wylder Buckingham, and she loves the attention she gets while on my arm.

As for me? I’m going along with it to keep Neo at arm’s length. To shut up my brothers’ teasing. To maintain the control I desperately need.

None of it is working.

Which is why I’m hiding at the end of the alleyway, waiting for my target to cross my path.

He’s chattering away as he does so, meaning he’s not alone. I’m not worried though. Despite my life behind a desk, I’m more than capable of looking after myself, even against multiple attackers.

Father made certain of it.

Reaching out, I grab the target’s shirt and haul him into the alley. He lets out a sharp yell as his back meets the brick. “Let me go. I swear, I’m innocent.”

He’s not. As with all requests made to The Firm, I did my due diligence before granting it. Kyle Alexander is scum. Scum who uses others to make sure his hands remain clean.

Too bad for him that I’ve got no issue getting mine dirty occasionally. If for no other reason than to let my monster out to play.

“There are many words to describe you, but innocent isn’t one of them,” I growl, my hand going to his throat. “Maybe by the time I’m through, you’ll have learned that actions have consequences.”

I pull back a fist, my monster roaring with glee, but I don’t get to land the punch. A figure steps into the mouth of the alley. “Hey! Um. Let him go.”

I freeze. Not at the words, but the voice. I know that voice. “Neo?”

Fuck. Even while acting as The Firm, I can’t escape him.

Neo steps closer, squinting. His blue hair is slightly rumpled, the smattering of freckles across his nose visible in the dim light of the alley. “Which one are you?”

I’m so confused. How can he not know it’s me?

That’s when I remember that I’m masked and using a voice distorter. Still, I can’t understand why I’m suddenly bubbling with irritation.

Probably because Neo could be gagged with a sack over his head, and you’d still recognize him.

Well, yes. But I’ve been trained to recognize things like that. Neo hasn’t. It’s perfectly reasonable for him not to know who I am.

I just wish it didn’t make me feel so fucking…irrational. Irrationally hurt.

My brain is working quickly, as it always does, slotting the pieces together. My hand is around the throat of Neo’s so-called boyfriend.

Oh, my monster likes that. It roars in pleasure, the claws coming out.

I’ve tried not to think too much about who Neo is dating. The man he willingly shares a bed with. Who he smiles for. Laughs for. Moans for.

It’s no good for my blood pressure.