Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
brYNN AND THE ELIZABETH SHOEMAKER
The thick, squishy crimson carpet beneath my feet was as foreign as the opulence that draped the Porter mansion’s living room. Carved mahogany tables, gilded frames clutching priceless artwork, and a crystal chandelier that threw specks of light across the ceiling like a private galaxy—all seemed like almost too much damn luxury. And I still felt like a trespasser in my worn sweatpants, dirty sneakers, and plain t-shirt.
A bitter taste coated my tongue. This place reeked of privilege, of a life I’d never know. now that Mr. Shoemaker had betrayed me.
“Joel, what is so important about these Nant-bots?” I asked, trying to focus on the conversation rather than the grandeur that threatened to swallow me whole.
Joel sighed. “Military-grade tech that are embedded GPS trackers. No more prisoners of war. Jason Cartright made them and destroyed them so Shoemaker replicated it and made it better. They are untraceable plus can self district at the touch of a button .”
My skin prickled. I frowned. “Huh?”
Sebastian paced the room. “They are technically illegal to use. but with some tweaking we could potentially even control the host.”
Braxton leaned back on the velvet sofa, a smirk playing on his lips as he juggled a crystal paperweight. “Which is why we need a solid plan to steal the tech before it ends up in the wrong hands. I say we approach from the west wing since it’s less guarded. Brynn, you’ll be our key to the locks—literally. Joel, those gadgets better work when it counts.”
My throat tightened. There was no running from this world, only fighting to carve out our piece of it.
“Hey, when have my toys ever let us down?” Joel’s hands were busy at a nearby table, assembling what looked like sleek, matte-black lock picks and tiny drones.
“Sebastian, thoughts on entry?” I turned to him, eager for his insight.
He rubbed his chin. “We’ve got one shot. We should consider using the garden maze. It’s risky but provides cover. Plus, if we time it right with the night patrols...” His voice trailed off as he calculated our chances.
I gave him a half-grin, though my stomach knotted at the thought of sneaking through Shoemaker’s fortress.
The plan was taking shape, but doubt gnawed at me. One misstep and we’d be caught in Shoemaker’s web, crushed like the insignificant insects he saw us as. But the alternative—letting him amass even more power—was unthinkable. I clenched my fists.
A knock on the door cut through our scheming. I glanced at the others before striding over to answer it. Swinging open the heavy oak door revealed a woman whose elegance matched the mansion itself. She stood on the threshold, a picture of poise with blue eyes and tailored attire.
Well, well, what have we here? An Elite showing up unannounced. My muscles tensed, ready to slam the door shut if needed, but curiosity gnawed at me. What could she want?
“Can I help you?” I asked, my tone a little defensive and wary.
“I’m Elizabeth Shoemaker. Nice to meet you,” she said extending a hand I didn’t take.
Shoemaker, huh? As in the big bad businessman who’d tried to kill me? Like I’d fall for that trap. I eyed her outstretched hand like it might sprout claws any second.
I kept my hands at my sides. “I’m Brynn Soto. You’re really Mr. Shoemaker’s daughter?”
She nodded and her cheeks flushed. “Unfortunately. May I come in?”
I sized her up again, trying to read between the lines. Her embarrassment seemed genuine enough, but I’d been fooled before. Letting her in could be like inviting a viper to tea. Still, something in her eyes made me want to hear her out. Against my better judgment, I stepped aside.
“Yeah, I guess.”
My skin prickled as I led her inside. This could be a setup, another elaborate scheme by Mr. Shoemaker.
“Porters,” she greeted them with a nod. “I’m Elizabeth Shoemaker and I wanted to chat with you all, if that’s all right.”
I watched the Porters’ reactions closely, trying to gauge if they were buying this act. Sebastian, ever the gentleman, stepped forward with a polite smile.
“Miss Shoemaker, to what do we owe the pleasure?” Sebastian’s demeanor calm yet guarded.
“Look, I know my father hired Brynn to pretend to be me to trick you, and I know…he had his goons beat her up—for which I’m so sorry about. His quest for power, his disregard for people...it’s wrong. I can’t just stand by anymore.”
Her confession hung heavily between us. The daughter of our enemy offering an olive branch? Or perhaps something more sinister.
Little Miss Elite had a conscience after all. Or did she? Her apology sounded sincere, but I’d heard pretty words from forked tongues before. This could be just another one of Daddy Dearest’s ploys, dangling bait to see who’d bite. I exchanged a skeptical glance with Joel, his jaw clenched tighter than a rusted nut.
Could she really be turning against her own father? It seemed too good to be true. But then again, I knew better than anyone how family could betray you. The memory of my own past stung, reminding me to stay sharp.
“Help us understand,” Sebastian prompted gently, “why now?”
“Because I’ve seen enough,” she said, her gaze hard. “I’ve lived a life of privilege built on his ruthlessness. It’s time I helped dismantle it.”
Joel crossed his arms. “Sounds noble. Or convenient.”
“Believe what you will,” Elizabeth replied, “but know this—I’m ready to bring him down, with or without your help.”
Dismantling daddy’s empire from within? She’d fit right in with us. If she was telling the truth, that is.
I studied her face, searching for any hint of deceit. But all I saw was fire in her expression, a sincerity that couldn’t be feigned. It was a look I knew well—the face of someone about to burn their bridges. Despite my skepticism, a small part of me wanted to believe her.
“All right, Elizabeth, if that’s true,” Sebastian said, “then if we’re gonna pull this off, we’ll need every advantage we can get. Your knowledge of your father’s estate could be invaluable. We plan to steal his tech.”
“Shut up, Sebastian!” Joel growled. “We don’t for sure if we can trust her yet.”
I couldn’t help smiling at Joel’s outburst. Trust? That was a luxury I’d long since abandoned. But Elizabeth’s presence here, ready to turn on her own father, stirred something in me. A flicker of hope, maybe? Or just another setup waiting to blow up in my face.
“I get it. I suppose I wouldn’t trust me, either. But maybe this will help.” Elizabeth sighed, reaching into her designer purse and pulling out a folded sheet of paper. She handed it to me—a complete blueprint of Shoemaker’s fortress.
My fingers trembled slightly as I took the paper. This was either the key to our salvation or the lock on our prison cell.
“I figured after my father betrayed you in that deal that you would do something even more drastic, you know, after kidnapping the fake me.”
That was because I had taken her place, pretending to be Elizabeth, and gotten myself kidnapped by the Porters. But then Shoemaker double-crossed me. When the Porters discovered who I really was, they threw me out. Desperate, I went to Shoemaker for my payment, but he had his men try to kill me instead. Betrayal from every side. And now, here was Elizabeth, ready to betray her father.
I was in a room full of liars and cheats, planning to take down the biggest liar and cheat of them all. It was almost poetic, in a twisted sort of way.
“Damn,” I muttered, unfolding the blueprints with a mix of admiration and incredulity. “You’re not playing around, are you?”
“Neither is my father,” she replied gravely.
I’d seen firsthand what Shoemaker was capable of, the lengths he’d go to maintain his power.
“Thank you, Elizabeth,” I said, sincerely in spite of the wariness that clung like shadows to my heart.
She hung her head. “Let’s just call it my first step towards redemption…”
What a concept. I wondered if any of us in this room were truly redeemable. But then again, maybe that’s what made us perfect for this job. We had nothing left to lose.
Braxton, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, leaned forward, his snarky humor replaced by the gravity of the moment. “We steal the Nant-bots, and your dad’s out of his precious tech, but if we really want to cut the head off the snake...”
“Then we expose him for what he is,” Joel finished.
The air in the room shifted, charged with a newfound purpose.
Sebastian tapped a finger on the blueprint where Shoemaker’s office was marked. “A tiny camera in there could capture all sorts of incriminating conversations. If we play this right, we can show the world his true face.”
“Risky, cousin.” Braxton whistled.
“Everything worth doing is,” I said, smirking.
“Good luck.” Elizabeth turned towards the door.
“Thank you, Elizabeth. For everything,” Sebastian said warmly and escorted her to the door.
As I watched her leave, I had a twinge of respect. It couldn’t have been easy, turning against everything she’d known.
“It’s not just about stealing technology,” I called after her. “It’s about stopping a man who thinks he’s above everyone else.”
“You remind me of my friend Kira. Lots of guts to stand up to the Elites,” she replied without turning around.
The door closed behind her, leaving us with blueprints spread out on the coffee table and a plan that was quickly forming into something that felt a lot like hope—or it was just the adrenaline talking.
This was it, our chance to change everything. But as I looked around at the faces of the Porter cousins, I had the nagging feeling that we were in way over our heads.
Braxton cleared his throat, drawing my attention. “All right, here’s the plan.” He was pointing to the blueprints with a laser pointer he fished out from his pocket. “Brynn, you’re our eyes and hands in the field—and you’re quick on your feet. Sebastian, you’ll use those high-society connections of yours to create a distraction at Shoemaker’s gala the night of the heist.” Braxton glanced over at Sebastian, who nodded solemnly. “Joel, you’re with me on tech and comms. We’ll disable their security systems long enough for Brynn and Sebastian to slip in undetected.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “Sounds like fun.”
Sebastian shrugged. “Before we even get there, we need new tech from Joel, gear checks, and to memorize the estate layouts until they’re burned into our brains.”
As the others kept busy with preparations, Braxton and I drifted to a quiet corner of the vast room.
He turned to face me, his expression softening. “Before all this, life was just...about living day to day. My cousins made it better, but I always felt this hole in my heart…” He stepped closer, his warm breath caressing my cheek. “Growing up without parents, I had to learn to fend for myself early. It made me who I am—a leader, a strategist. And it also taught me the value of trust.” His gaze locked with mine, tender yet intense. “I trust you with my life, Brynn. You mean so much to me.”
I tilted my head up to meet his stare. “I care about you too, Braxton. More than I ever expected to.”
A soft chuckle rumbled in his chest. “Well, aren’t we just a couple of softies underneath our tough exteriors?” His fingers brushed against mine, sending sparks through my skin.
I blushed, feeling emboldened by his touch. “Speak for yourself, surfer boy. I’m all grit, no fluff.”
“Oh really?” Braxton’s hand slid around my waist, pulling me flush against him. “Because I’m sensing a whole lot of tenderness hidden behind that sassy facade of yours.”
My breath hitched and I melted into his strong embrace. “Maybe you’re just projecting.”
“Mmm, I don’t think so.” His lips hovered a hair’s breadth from mine. “I think deep down, Brynn Soto is a hopeless romantic waiting to be swept off her feet...”
With a wicked grin, I closed the gap and captured his mouth in a kiss. Braxton responded with equal fervor, his lips moving passionately against mine and his grip on my waist tightened. I threaded my fingers through his thick, wavy hair, devouring the taste of him, the scent of his skin.
When we finally broke apart, breathless and flushed, Braxton rested his forehead against mine. “Wow,” he murmured, a blissful smile spreading across his face. “That was even better than I remembered.”
I laughed softly, nuzzling his nose with mine. “Hmm, I agree.”
He pecked my lips again sweetly. We hugged and rejoined the others. Braxton and Sebastian were looking over the blueprints again.
I sat down at the table with Joel on the far side of the living room. “Hey.”
He looked up and gave me a crooked smile. “I never told you this, but Shoemaker, he hurt people I care about. My sister was one of them.” His jaw clenched, a flicker of pain passing over his chiseled features. “She trusted him, and he used her. We can’t let him get away with selling the Nant-bots to an enemy, which is what I’m afraid he’ll do.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that,” I whispered, reaching out to place my hand over his. His skin was warm and rough, sending a tingle through my fingertips.
Joel’s gaze dropped to our hands, his thumb gently brushing over my knuckles. “Brynn, there’s something else I need to tell you…” He paused, his voice rough and husky. “Since we made love, my feelings for you have grown deeper, more complex.”
My breath caught in my throat, my heart pounding against my ribcage. I searched his face, seeing the vulnerability and tenderness in his expression. “Joel, I...”
He leaned closer, his masculine scent enveloping me. “I know we’re in the middle of planning a dangerous mission, but I can’t deny what I feel for you anymore.” His free hand came up to cup my cheek. “You’re the most incredible woman I’ve ever met, Brynn. Strong, brave, beautiful...”
I leaned into his touch, my lips parting when he drew nearer. “I feel the same way.”
With a low growl, Joel grabbed my chair and scooted it closer to him. Then his lips claimed mine in a scorching kiss. I surrendered to the passion, my fingers threading through his hair and pulled him closer. His mouth moved against mine with a passion that left me breathless, his tongue teasing and exploring. I clung to him, as the kiss deepened. Heat coursed through my veins, my skin prickling with every touch. Joel’s strong arms encircled me, holding me tight as if he never wanted to let go.
We finally broke apart, both panting for air.
Joel rested his forehead against mine. “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe, Brynn,” he vowed, his voice heavy with emotion. “I won’t let anything happen to you or your sister. Ever.”
I nodded, my heart swelling with the depth of my feelings for him. “That is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.” I kissed his cheek and stood up. “I’ll let you get back to work.”
I drifted over to Sebastian who was now on his laptop and reclined on the sofa. I plopped down beside him, my friend and my lover. It was hard to believe that I’d had sex with all three of the Porter cousins, yet I had a soft spot for Sebastian.
Being with him felt so natural, so right. I rested my chin on his shoulder, breathing in his clean, masculine scent. “Whatcha doing?” I murmured, my lips grazing his ear.
Sebastian turned to me with a soft smile. “Just creating a fake security breach for the heist,” he said, tapping a few keys on his laptop. His voice was low and smooth, sending a tingle down my arms.
“Oh? Very clever. That might come in handy.” I lifted my arm, trailing a finger along his jawline. The rough stubble contrasted deliciously with his tan skin.
Sebastian’s Adam’s apple bobbed and he swallowed hard. “Um, Brynn, I wanted to say...” He paused, his long lashes sweeping down. “I’m scared of messing this up. The pressure to always do the right thing, it’s hard. Except I’d rather risk failure than live knowing we didn’t do everything we could to stop Shoemaker, you know?”
I lowered my hand. My chest squeezed at the vulnerability in his tone. I cupped his chiseled face in my hands, tilting it towards me. “Seb, you’re the bravest person I know. And the smartest. We’ll follow your lead, without question.”
Emotion swelled in my heart when Sebastian leaned into my touch, his gaze locking with mine. Cerulean blue burned with intensity. “I’m glad you’re gonna help us, Brynn.”
I couldn’t resist any longer. I closed the distance between us, capturing his sensual mouth with mine. Sebastian responded, his lips covering mine with heated lust. I placed my hands around his back, holding him close as our tongues tangled and explored. He tasted divine, an addictive mix of coffee and pure male. His large hands gripped my waist, dragging me onto his lap so I straddled his hips. I gasped as his growing hardness pressed against my core. Sebastian’s fingers slipped beneath the hem of my shirt, caressing the sensitive skin at the small of my back and raising goosebumps in their wake.
Breathless, I broke the kiss and leaned my forehead against his, panting softly. Sebastian’s handsome face was flushed, his lush lips kiss-swollen and tempting. He kissed his forehead and slid off his lap before we got too carried away.
Braxton cleared his throat. “I have an idea…”
While the Porters discussed logistics, my old fears resurfaced, making me second-guess my place among the cousins—people who had become more than allies, my friends and lovers.
“Hey, Brynn,” Braxton said, pulling me aside from the group. “You look like you’re ready to bolt. You okay, sweetheart?”
Sebastian and Joel appeared with concerned faces.
I bit my lip, my gaze darting between the three Porter cousins. “I...I just can’t shake this feeling that I don’t belong here. That I’m some kind of imposter in your world…and that I should go home, back to Kay.”
Braxton’s eyebrows shot up. “Brynn, you’re practically family at this point. And Kay is welcome here anytime. You both are. Hell, you’ve seen us all naked.”
I snorted at that, feeling a bit of tension ease from my shoulders.
Joel stepped closer, his voice soft and intense. “You’ve earned your place with us, Brynn. More than earned it. Don’t let anyone tell you different.”
“He’s right,” Sebastian added, his tone gentle. “Your street smarts and resilience are exactly what we need for this heist. You bring a perspective we’ve been missing.”
I fidgeted with the hem of my t-shirt, still uncertain. “But what if I fuck this up? Hinder the caper?”
Braxton grinned. “Then we’ll just have to create a distraction. I vote for Joel doing a striptease at the gala.”
Joel shot him a withering glare. “I will end you.”
These men, so different yet united in their care for me, had become my anchor in this tumultuous world.
Sebastian placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “We believe in you, Brynn. It’s time you started believing in yourself.”
As I looked at each of them – Braxton’s sexy smirk, Joel’s steadfast gaze, Sebastian’s warm smile—I marveled at the twist of fate that had brought these three devoted lovers into my life. How had a girl like me ended up with not one, but three Elites who genuinely cared?
It was almost too good to be true. And that thought alone was enough to make me cautious.