Chapter 18 Cade
CADE
I wake up to an empty bed, my hands reaching for my butterfly, but he’s flown away.
Sitting up, I scrub at my face, my ass sore like I expected. But fuck me, what a good feeling. What a good night. Not only did he beat Dalton at Monopoly, but I was his first.
It makes my chest swell and my heart flutter; a beating of wings.
What has this guy done to me?
I push myself up, use the bathroom, and then pull on some pants. I need to find out where he went.
I need a good morning kiss and possibly another fuck.
I need to know he’s okay.
It’s weird, worrying about someone other than myself. Don’t get me wrong, I obviously worry about my siblings. Especially when I know they’re walking into a dangerous situation without me.
This level of feeling for Ansel is completely different. Possibly unhealthy.
And I couldn’t be fucking happier.
Wandering around the house, I find Ansel in the kitchen chatting with Jules and Dotty.
I linger behind a wall, wanting to see how they all interact.
Of course, Jules is his happy self, but what makes me pause is Dotty.
She isn’t running his feet over with a vacuum or squirting his chest with a bottle of bleach.
She’s actually smiling. Well, what constitutes a smile for her. It’s a tilt of her lips, in a minor scowl, but it’s a smile nonetheless.
“I’ll help you with the laundry when I’m done here,” Ansel says, and Dotty tuts at him. I rarely hear her speak, but she makes her displeasure known.
Not with Ansel though. She seems positively smitten.
Maybe she’s had some kind of fall and her brain chemistry has shifted. Maybe it’s made her nicer.
I step out from behind the wall, and while Jules gives me a wave, Dotty’s face falls back into the angry grimace she always wears. Well, it seems she didn’t suffer some kind of brain alteration.
It seems she just likes Ansel.
As she should.
“What’s for breakfast?” I ask as I take a seat next to my obsession.
He’s eating pancakes with strawberries and powdered sugar. It looks delicious, and Ansel’s wearing some right on his lips. I make sure to kiss the mess on his mouth right up.
He sighs against me and looks almost shy.
“How are you this morning?” he asks quietly, almost a whisper.
I don’t bother keeping my voice down. I want everyone to know what Ansel’s done to me. “So fucking sore.”
He blushes and peers over at Jules and Dotty, making sure they don’t hear. I hope they do. I hope they know that my man wrecked my ass.
Suddenly, a plate is set before me, and I stare down at the perfectly fluffy pancakes Jules whipped up. I have no idea how he always manages to make food look like it belongs in a magazine, but he does. This man works miracles. It’s no wonder that Harley’s obsessed with him.
I take a bite and moan around the forkful. “Delicious, Jules. You always outdo yourself. Please don’t leave here.”
“I am amazing, but my time here will end soon enough,” he replies dryly just as the doorbell rings.
The sound has everyone freezing.
Even Dotty doesn’t move. She just wields her mop like a weapon.
“No one rings the doorbell in this house,” Jules says softly. He steps back, his hand finding a butcher knife. “Who the fuck is it?”
“Is that a bad thing?” Ansel asks, worry lining his voice.
“We’ll see,” I murmur, standing and brushing a kiss over his temple. “Stay here, okay?”
I take another knife from the block and prowl toward the front door. Wylder is standing in the foyer with a gun.
“How the fuck did someone get past the guards?” he hisses.
I shake my head, seeing a blurred image through the glass. It’s blue and gray. I have no idea who it is. “Did you not get a good look through the cameras?”
“No, they’ve been hacked. It’s just a GIF of a giant dick and balls waggling at me.”
That makes me laugh as I stalk toward the door, my breathing quieting as I near the handle. “Well, if someone did that, they can’t be half bad…”
My fingers slide against the cool brass, and then I flick the door open.
Standing before me is a smaller man—bright blue hair on the top of his head, one side long, the other shaved. He has plugs in his earlobes and a nose ring in his septum. He looks like he just walked off a stage at a rock concert.
The man’s eyes flash to the knife in my hand and the gun in Wylder’s. “Jesus, is this where you’re holding Ansel hostage? Fuck off with this shit.”
My eyebrows rise, and the knife drops slightly. Is this Neo?
“What the hell are you? Criminals? Figures.” He rolls his eyes and stalks inside the house like he owns it. “Where the fuck is he? I want proof of life.”
I open my mouth to tell him Ansel is fine when he opens his mouth and screams my butterfly’s name.
Immediately, Ansel rounds the corner and gasps, rushing to the slight man and wrapping him in his arms. Jealousy surges through me at how close they are, but I tamp it down slightly. I need an explanation before I chop someone up. I’m assuming it’s his friend, but I need confirmation.
Thankfully, Ansel doesn’t keep me waiting. “Neo, what the hell are you doing here?”
The jealousy dissipates. Thank god. Ansel was thirty seconds away from learning just how violent I can be.
“This is Neo?” Wylder asks, cocking his head and lowering the gun.
“Yeah, I fucking am, and who are you? Why do you have a gun? Gross, by the way. You’re all gross. I hate guns. The knife I’ll allow, I guess.”
I let out a small laugh at how fierce he is, despite his size.
“How did you find me?” Ansel asks.
“Easily. Once you called, it was a breeze. These fuckers obviously suck at whatever it is they do.”
Wylder eyes me, anger in his gaze, and I shrug. As long as Ansel is happy, then I am too. I can’t be fucked as to why, as long as he smiles like that.
“So, which one is yours?” Neo asks Ansel, his eyes slipping between me and Wylder. I step forward and put my arm around my butterfly’s shoulders.
“I am.”
Neo’s gaze roams over me, and he purses his lips. “You could do better, dude. He’s not that great. Neither of them, really.”
Ansel giggles and then goes up on his tiptoes and kisses my cheek. “I think he’s pretty damn great.”
Neo’s gaze moves over to Wylder, and he makes a face. “Well, I guess you’ll do then.”
Wylder sighs. “I’m not interested. I don’t do men.”
“Why not?” Neo runs a hand down his chest. “I’m fantastic. Ugh, whatever. Where are the other hot brothers lurking? I know they’re all hotter than this troll.”
Wylder doesn’t bother to answer. “I’m going to my office. Make sure you walk him to the gate when he leaves. We don’t need him meeting Harley.”
There’s truth in that. He doesn’t need to meet any of my brothers. Neo seems like he’s trouble. I can’t imagine him teaming up with one of them. But then again, what fun would that be. What a riot.
“Can I show him the house?” Ansel asks, and I cock my head.
But before I can answer, Wylder shouts, “Do not show him the fucking house! My god!”
Neo grunts. “Rude.”
Ansel pats his arm. “He doesn’t trust you. I don’t think they trust many, to be fair.”
Neo sweeps a disapproving gaze over the foyer. “Yeah, well, they are the Buckinghams. They should be wary. Because it wouldn’t take much to bring a family like this down. I bet they have skeletons in all sorts of closets. Lots of them.” He meets my stare. “You do, don’t you?”
I don’t answer. If Neo wants a staring match, I’m game. I can outlast anyone. Just watch.
Ansel rolls his eyes at us. “I should’ve known you’d be like this with each other. Can you just not, please? Neo, keep those thoughts inside, and, Cade, stop glaring at him.”
I don’t blink or look away from Neo. “I’m not glaring. I’m staring.”
Neo waggles his brows. “Bring it on. I’m the stare-master champion.”
“That’s Stairmaster,” Ansel corrects him, shoving him with a scowl. “And you’ve never been near a Stairmaster in your life.”
Neo looks away from me, and I secretly crow in triumph. “Why would I torture myself? There are far more fun ways to get your cardio in, thank you very much.”
That’s true. I can think of several I want to do with Ansel. I wonder how fast I can get Neo out of here so I can make a start on it. My ass is still sore, but hopefully Ansel’s has recovered.
Unfortunately, it looks like I’m going to have to wait. Ansel is looping his arm through Neo’s and steering him toward the kitchen. “Yeah, I’ve heard you getting your ‘cardio’ in far too often. Are you seeing that guy still? The plumber?”
“Yeah.” Neo’s head bobs energetically. “I mean, we’re not exclusive or anything. But I’m hopeful.”
I trail after them, unable to stop myself piping up. “So hopeful that you’re hitting on my one straight brother and asking about the others.”
There’s a wicked gleam in Neo’s eyes as he glances back at me. “Ah! So only one is straight, then. Lucky me.”
“Behave,” Ansel scolds him. “You’re worse than a dog in heat.”
“Don’t judge me,” Neo says as we enter the kitchen. “Not all of us are content to be single forever like you. It’s about time you got laid, given how long it’s been.”
My chest puffs up as Ansel shoots me a shy look, his cheeks glowing. “Maybe I’m not single anymore.”
I kiss Ansel’s cheek before swiping an apple from the fruit bowl. “That’s right. We’re together now. Ansel’s mine.”
“Reeeeally?” Neo stretches out the word over several syllables as he perches on a stool. “Interesting. And you’ve known each other how long?”
My eyes narrow as I slide my hands onto Ansel’s shoulders. “Time doesn’t matter when it’s right. When you know, you know.”
Ansel squeezes my fingers, smiling up at me. “Exactly. And we know.”
“Hm.” Neo clearly isn’t convinced, but whatever he’s going to say next is forgotten as Jules slides a plate of pancakes in front of him. His head whips around to stare at the chef. “What’s this?”
“Crepes.” Jules bows his head with a small smile. “Or pancakes, as you heathen Americans insist on calling them. Can I interest you in toppings? We have strawberries, raspberries, Nutella, sprinkles, cream…whatever you can think of. Nothing’s too much trouble.”
Neo’s jaw is swinging wide. Ansel leans back into me, watching his friend with an amused grin.
“Is this…” Neo starts before changing his mind. “Are you, like…staff?”
Jules chuckles. “I’m the chef, yes. Technically, I work in Matthias and Wyatt’s household, but I’m here this week while Wylder’s chef is on vacation.”
Neo blinks a few times. “The family has multiple chefs?”
“Well, we don’t all live together,” I say, taking a bite from the apple and speaking around it. “Ansel and I are just staying here temporarily.”
Neo doesn’t respond to me, just addresses Ansel directly. “And you have somewhere you live already.”
It’s not a question. Ansel shifts uncomfortably. “Yeah, but I’m happy here for now.”
I pause, the apple halfway to my mouth. For now? What’s that supposed to mean?
That’s when it hits me. We haven’t discussed the future. Ansel and I have been so caught up in the here and now that we haven’t talked about it. Sure, we’ve been calling each other boyfriend, but that’s about it.
Appetite gone, I chuck the apple in the trash. “Ansel’s very happy here. With me.”
Neo snorts. “Sure. Because you two have so much in common.”
“We do,” Ansel protests. That’s when Dotty chooses to wander in, cloth in one hand and disinfectant in the other.
“Please,” Neo scoffs, waving a hand at her and Jules. “You’re used to living off ramen, which we cook on a hot plate. Meanwhile, his lordship over here apparently has a whole team of staff at his beck and call. But sure. Tell me again how you have so much in common.”
Ansel’s shoulders pull in, and red flashes across my vision. “Back off, Neo. If you just came here to give Ansel a hard time, then you know where the door is. Use it before I throw you through it.”
“Cade.” Ansel’s hand cups my face. “It’s fine. Neo’s protective over me, that’s all.”
I grunt, not taking my gaze off Neo, who’s watching us closely.
Ansel tugs on my neck until my lips meet his. He kisses me sweetly before pulling back and resting his forehead against mine. “I want the two of you to be friends. Please? That would make me so incredibly happy.”
I’m still pissed, but there’s no way I can say no to Ansel. “Fine. I’ll play nice.”
Neo snorts. “I’m not making any promises. I don’t like playing games, and I don’t like being nice.”
Ansel arches an eyebrow and glares at his friend. “Don’t make me bring up New Orleans.”
The blood drains from Neo’s face. “You wouldn’t.”
“Oh, I would,” Ansel threatens, twisting to face him. His hands go to his hips, and my heart swells at how fast he is to defend me. “You be nice to Cade or I’ll be telling everyone what you did.”
“That’s not good friend behavior. After all I’ve done for you.”
“And you’re being rude. In my boyfriend’s house. Or his brother’s house, but still. His family’s house.”
“Whatever,” Neo mutters, slumping down on his stool. “I’ll behave.”
“Good.” Ansel nods, sliding onto the seat beside him. “Now, eat your pancakes before you offend Jules.”
“Not pancakes! Crepes!” Jules calls happily from the kitchen.
Ansel grins at me, and I stroke my hand through his hair.
Suddenly, Wylder strolls into the kitchen and frowns at me. “Cade, what the fuck are you doing here. Aren’t you supposed to be somewhere right now?”
Oh. Right. My job. Fuck’s sake.
The last thing I want to do is leave Neo with Ansel, but duty calls.
“I’ll be back soon,” I murmur in Ansel’s ear before kissing his neck. “Will you be okay for a few hours?”
“Yes.” Ansel pats my face. “Go. It’ll give me a chance to catch up with Neo. I’m sure he has shit to say to me privately.”
“Sure do,” Neo chimes in.
“Okay.” I stroke his hair once before stepping back. “I’ll see you later.”
I make it all the way to the front door before Wylder stops me. “Cade, wait.”
Sighing, I turn to face him. “I thought you wanted me to get on with…it.”
“I do, but…” Wylder comes to a halt in front of me. “You can’t just leave Ansel with his friend.”
“Why not?”
“Because he’s your hostage,” Wylder hissed. “He’s not supposed to have guests, for fuck’s sake.”
I wrench open the door before leveling a glare at my brother. “He’s not my hostage, Wylder; he’s my boyfriend. Maybe you should start treating him as such.”
Wylder watches me leave, glaring at me from the doorway. When I’m halfway down the drive, I call back over my shoulder, “And give him back his phone. He’s not going to betray us.”
I don’t wait for him to respond, just stride off toward my car. Ansel won’t do anything to harm us. I can feel it in my bones. He cares for me, just as I care for him.
Everything is going to be fine. Wonderful, in fact.
We’re on a path to our own happily ever after, just like Matthias and Wyatt.
And I can’t fucking wait.