Chapter 7
7
COLT
Quin gave me the look , the one he used when he knew exactly what I was doing. He’d gotten to know me a lot quicker and better than my ex-wife, Bethany, but she’d never really tried.
“Stop it,” Quin hissed, eyes narrowed. He shoved me from behind and pouted. “Matt, go inside. I told you that he won’t say or do anything that’ll change my mind about us.”
I huffed and glared at the front door of our home. If I had a choice, I would turn us back around and stay in the Courtesan Hotel until Jackson left, but when I’d suggested that this morning, Quin had pinched my stomach and told me we were going home. His confidence as my better half was growing, and I loved seeing him flourish.
I unlocked the front door to the house and stepped inside, listening for any sounds. Almost immediately, I homed in on low music playing in my den, and I moved to my left instinctively, anger throbbing in my chest. Jackson knew every little thing about me, and he also knew exactly what to do to piss me off. Being in my den —that was a quick way to do it.
Quin’s heels tapped rapid-fire behind me, signaling he was following as fast as he could, probably to break up any fight that was about to happen. “Matt....”
I shoved open the door to my den and glared at Jackson.
He sat leaning back on the swivel chair with his feet up on the pristine wood of the desktop, a smirk dancing lazily over his mouth when his gaze fell on me. “Hey, big brother. Where did you go yesterday?”
“Get. Your. Feet. Off. My. Desk. Now .” I went to shoot forward, but Quin grasped my shoulder. Even though he wasn’t particularly strong, he held me back because I never wanted to hurt him, and slapping his hand off me would do exactly that. I pointed at Jackson instead. “You have two seconds before I break your ankles.”
Jackson’s laughter rebounded off the walls, and he dropped his feet to the floor, shaking his head as he did. “Such a grouch, Colt. You belong on Sesame Street .”
I took a deep breath to stop myself from storming over to slam my knuckles into his head. “I said you could stay here, but that requires you to respect me and my wife.”
“But he’s not your spouse yet, is he?” Jackson tapped his finger on my desk, his mouth curling in delight. His blue eyes glinted and mischief flashed in them. “I did some research. Funny thing. Bethany’s missing. Did you know that? I asked around to some of her friends, and they don’t seem to care much, but they said she hasn’t contacted them in a while now.”
“She disappears a lot,” Quin said behind me. “It isn’t new.”
I linked my fingers with his and gave him a small shake of my head. It was better if he didn’t say anything while Jackson was around. Another thing about my brother was that he was smart and able to string together the truth very quickly.
Jackson’s eyebrows rose. “Really? Why is that?”
“It’s none of your fucking business, Jack.” It’d been a long time since I’d called my brother by his childhood nickname. After I’d realized how dangerous he was, I’d left our relationship behind in a lot of ways. “Leave it alone.”
He stood in one swift motion and walked around the desk, hands clasped behind his back. “I saw her signature on the copy of your divorce papers, and I reached out to someone.” He stopped in front of us. His tongue poked between his teeth, a sign of triumph. “I have a friend who studies handwriting at New Gothenburg University, and according to him, the signature isn’t quite right. She used to leave me notes. I still have them. They were very... intense.” He quirked an eyebrow.
“Signatures are never the same,” I drawled, unimpressed. “What exactly are you trying to do?”
He grinned widely and tilted his body forward, leaning in closer. “I knew Bethany for a short time, Colt. A very short time. She wasn’t the best lay, but a hole’s a hole, right?”
I tensed, and Quin’s grip on my hand tightened.
“She’s not the kind of person to just let things go, is she?” He slid his stare to Quin. “She’s a stubborn lady. Or should I say she was ? What happened to her?”
“Nothing,” I snapped, shoving his chest and making him fall back a few steps. “She left the way she’s always abandoned her ex-husbands.”
“I don’t believe that. She isn’t the type to flit away.” His attention returned to Quin. “What did Colt do to her, sweetheart?”
“Nothing,” Quin yelled at the same time as I stepped forward, shoving Jackson backward.
“If you keep talking about what you think I did to Bethany, I’ll really do it to you.” I used my height to its fullest advantage and stared him down. “Quin was nice enough to let you stay, don’t step out of bounds. You’re already pissing me off by talking to him.” I sent Quin a glare. “He needs to leave, Baby Girl.”
“Hey now.” Jackson held up his palms toward us, the smile transforming from knowing to downright sweet, the same kind he’d always used to weasel his way out of trouble. “I was only wondering what you did to make her leave. I’m not insinuating you hurt her, am I?”
We all knew that was exactly what he’d been saying. He was fork tongued and slimy, a snake hiding in the grass until he found the perfect moment to strike, and when that time came, I’d be ready for him.
Quin cleared his throat and shifted closer to my side. “Have you made yourself at home in one of the guest rooms, Jackson?”
I wanted to tell Quin not to fall for his lies, but I’d caused enough issues between us yesterday. Once I was alone with Jackson again, I’d make my position clear. I’d also keep a closer eye on him, and when I wasn’t home, I’d make sure Royal was around to watch out. Royal had never met Jackson—Derek had only met him twice—and that was how I liked it, but I’d make sure Royal knew exactly how dangerous my brother was.
“I did, yeah.” Jackson doubled the charm with an innocent grin that tricked even the most suspicious people. “I can tell the house has had your delightful touch, Quin. It’s very homey.”
A flush spread across Quin’s cheeks and he chuckled. “Thank you. I tried to redecorate and give the house a warmer vibe.”
“You’re one talented man.” Jackson winked, and Quin’s blush spread farther down his neck, digging the knife of jealousy deeper into my gut.
I curled my arm around Quin’s shoulders and leaned in to whisper in his ear. “Don’t trust him, Baby Girl. He’s trying to find your weak spots.”
He blinked up at me and nodded as the corners of his mouth curved into a gentle smile. He glanced back at Jackson. “Do you have any plans today?”
“Why? Are you going to ask me out on a date?” Jackson sounded too smug for his own good.
I went to step forward, but Quin’s arm shot out to stop me. He gave me a pointed look.
“I’d love to get to know you. I want to understand why anyone would let a sexy husband like Colt go for a few hours with a fuck boy who flirts with everything that moves.” Quin delivered the line with directness, his tone unchanged, as though speaking about the weather.
Jackson’s smile faltered, and while he kept it on his face, it nearly disappeared altogether. He cleared his throat and tilted his head. “I know this great café not far from here.”
“Matt and I would love to go there with you.” Quin pressed in closer to me and gave me a smile that stole my breath. “I’m sure you have all sorts of stories about Matt as a kid.”
I raised my eyebrows when his grin turned wicked. Naughty, Princess. I was going to have to spank him for trying to tear secrets from Jackson.
To my surprise, Jackson relaxed and something calm swept over his face. “Oh, I have some awesome things to tell you about this guy.”
I sent him a glare. “Nothing embarrassing.”
Jackson laughed. “It’s all going to embarrass you.”
Quin nodded resolutely. “Give us an hour to get ready, and we’ll meet you in the living room, okay?” He didn’t wait for an answer. Tugging my hand, he pulled me out of the room.
I scowled over my shoulder. “And get out of my den, you sneaky piece of shit.”
“Manners. I’m a guest,” Jackson responded loud enough for me to hear.
I rolled my eyes and let Quin guide me up the stairs toward our bedroom. I squared my shoulders, ready for whatever he was going to throw at me. Bethany’d had a lot of questions about Jackson, and I’d been blind to her initial intrigue over him. Even back then, when I’d already known what Jackson was like, I’d turned my back on him when I should’ve kept my eyes on him at all times.
I let Quin lead me to our bedroom, and I closed the door behind us before I turned to him. “What game are you playing, Princess? I want him gone, not feeling like he’s at home.”
He threw me a wicked smile over his shoulder as he sashayed toward our walk-in closet. “I’m going to show him that I’m taken. I’m not going to fall for his ridiculous attempts at flirting with me. I’m yours.”
That was the sexiest thing I’d ever heard in my life. I resisted the urge to eat up the space between us and kiss him because I knew he was on a mission to get into the best clothes and makeup, so it was easier to let him be. He always complained when I messed up his looks, even if ravaging him was worth it. So, I walked over to the bed and plopped onto it while he thumped around in the closet.
“Hopefully, he won’t be here for long,” I mused loud enough for Quin to hear me. “And if he tries anything after you’ve said no, I’ll strangle him with my bare hands.”
“I’ll help you,” Quin said. “But I’d knee him in the balls before he even attempted it.” He peeked his head out of the closet. “Because you’re the only man allowed to touch me that way.” He wriggled his engagement ring in my direction, and the diamond glittered, almost like it was winking at me.
“Good girl.” I resisted the urge to make my way over to him. I had a feeling he wouldn’t appreciate the distraction because if I went over there, we wouldn’t leave the space. I’d hide him away in the closet and have my dirty way with him until my brother had no choice except to leave.
Quin exited the closet and opened his arms, presenting himself in a sequined navy dress that was longer in back and came to his knees in front. The sleeves were off the shoulder and made from floral lace, and his heels were silver to match the necklace I’d bought him a few weeks ago, which had a sapphire-and-diamond flower in the center that currently sat against his chest.
“What do you think?” He spun and the dress spread and danced with the movement before he stopped to look at me again. “I still need to touch up my makeup.”
The breath left my body and never returned. I was struck speechless, my heart battering my ribs at the mere sight of how beautiful he was. I didn’t want Jackson to see Quin like this. He was mine, and the thought of Jack’s eyes on him made me wild with possessiveness and protectiveness.
I slid off the bed and made it across the room in four large steps before I grabbed him around the waist and dragged him close, searing his mouth with mine in a passionate kiss. He groaned against my intrusive tongue, hands splayed on my pecs to keep us apart.
“Matt.” He whimpered, humping his hips so his cock rubbed mine. “We can’t do this.”
“I want to,” I growled fiercely into the kiss, too desperate for him to break it in order to speak. “Can’t let him see you this way.”
Quin wriggled away from me, breaking contact and causing me to huff as he finally managed to step free. He smoothed down his long dark hair and pointed a finger in my direction. “Hands to yourself, Husband. I’m proving a point. Now I need to go do a touch-up.”
He slipped past me, even though I reached out to grab him, but he batted away my hand before he stalked into the connected bathroom.
I sighed loudly. “You don’t love me.”
Quin laughed, and even though I couldn’t see him, hearing him was enough to make my stomach clench with need. “Because I won’t let you have your way with me while your brother is waiting for us?”
“Exactly.” I crossed my arms and counted down the seconds impatiently until Quin exited the bathroom again. His makeup was light and airy and fit him perfectly, with a soft pink blush and a natural lipstick. I went to step forward, but he held up his palm.
“No, Matt. I won’t have you ruining me.” His mouth curled at the side with a wickedness I wanted to get rid of in a hard kiss.
“Too late,” I teased. “I ruined you the moment I fucked your tight pussy for the first time, Princess.”
He laughed and shook his head. “You are persistent.”
“With you? Always.” I grasped his hand and raised it to my lips, pressing a kiss to the back. “And you look amazing, Baby Girl. I’m so proud to call you my wife, even though it’s not official yet. I want the world to know you belong to me.”
“Quite sure they already do.” He smiled gently and let out a happy little noise from his pretty mouth. “I love you, Matt. I would never betray you. I’m looking forward to the day when I’m Mix Coltrane.”
“I know,” I said truthfully and drew him into my arms, holding on tight. “Jackson....Jack has never been denied anything he wants. He wouldn’t force you, he’s not that type, but he’s vindictive. Manipulative.”
“And if it comes to that, we can handle him.” Quin tilted his head and kissed my chin. “Because I know you’ll always protect me. There’s a man out there with some horrible words tattooed on himself to prove it.” He slapped me on the ass, a nice turn of events that had me chuckling. “Now, let’s go show Jack how committed we are to each other.”
I grinned and snuck a kiss on the tip of his nose. “Yeah, Lovebug, let’s do that.”