Chapter Three
I can be playful.
Like a lion with its prey.
~ Ethan
CHLOé HURRIED UP to the rooftop and stepped outside, taking a minute to soak in the sights and sounds of the city. She could hear the cars below, the bustling on the street, and, off in the distance, the sound of a siren.
It was a busy Saturday night, and the cool air on her skin felt good. But when her phone vibrated again , she turned her attention back to the emergency closer to home.
Justin. Maybe he was the way to go. The best way to feel out the situation and see where her fathers’ minds were at. She walked over to the edge of the balcony and called her brother, and before the phone even had a chance to ring, it was answered.
“Chloé?”
“Hey, Justin. How’s it going?”
“How’s it going ? I’ve been trying to get a hold of you all night. That’s how it’s going.”
“Yeah, I know. You’ve texted six times, and called three in the last five minutes.”
“Well, if you answered, I wouldn’t have kept calling.”
She blew out a breath and reminded herself not to overreact. “I know, which is why I’m answering now.”
“What happened tonight? Jesus. It was like World War Three broke out or something.”
“You mean Dad and Père didn’t tell you?”
“No. All I know is that they ran into you at the event. They said you were there on your date and that they told you to leave. Want to maybe fill in the blanks?”
Uh, not really. Justin was the only person who wasn’t mad at her, but she had a feeling the second she told him why their fathers were so pissed, he would back them up.
“There was a miscommunication, that’s all, and when they found out, they were a little bit upset.”
“A little bit? I’ve never seen Père so mad. He was slamming pots and pans down and barking orders like he was back on Chef Master. What the hell happened?”
Ethan and Zayne happened, that’s what. She closed her eyes, counted back from ten, and then decided, what the hell? She might as well tell him everything—he was going to find out soon enough anyway.
“You know those two guys who came into the restaurant for dinner? The ones who wanted to talk to me at their table?”
“Yeah. Oh … The fathers were pissed because he’s older than you?”
“What? No. They were upset because I was there with both of them.”
A long silence met her ears, and she swore she could hear every beat of her heart as she waited.
“Both of them?”
“Uh huh.” Chloé swallowed and twirled a piece of hair around her finger. “Both of them.”
“Holy shit, Chloé. Have you lost your mind?”
It was starting to feel like it. “No, and why does everyone keep saying that? Dad, Père , and Papa have the exact same relationship.”
“Uh, I’m not sure I’d put it to them like that.”
“Too late.”
Justin cursed and muttered something under his breath.
“What was that?”
“I said no wonder they were flipping out. Not only are these guys older, there’s two of them.”
“So? I’m not an idiot, you know.”
“No, but you’re nineteen.”
“And that means what? I don’t have a brain? You know, I’m getting sick and tired of everyone treating me like I just crawled out from under a rock.”
“Oh, come on. What did you expect? They were already pissed that you lied and were sneaking out to see this guy—guy s —and now they find out this?” Justin scoffed. “Just so I know, is there anything special you’d like written on your headstone?”
“Hilarious, Justin.”
“I’m serious. Then again, if I’d seen you there tonight you’d be looking for two headstones, neither of which would be for you.”
Chloé sighed and ran a hand through her hair. “This isn’t funny. They totally embarrassed me. I at least thought Dad would understand.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“Then you’ve lost your mind.”
“I have not, and if all you’re going to do is be a jerk, I’m going.”
“ Wait ! Wait…” Justin let out a breath, and his voice softened. “Don’t go off all mad. It’s just…this is a shock. You’re their daughter. Their baby girl. You had to know they wouldn’t be thrilled.”
When she didn’t say anything, he seemed to get the message she was done talking about it and moved on.
“Well, what are you going to do now?”
Good question. “I don’t know. I got a text from Dad telling me that Papa knows and they all want to speak to me tomorrow after work.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“Hey, you got yourself into this mess, now you’ve got to pay the price.”
She was getting that loud and clear. But the last thing she wanted to do was think about it.
“Look, I’ve got to go.”
“Chloé—”
“What?”
“Be careful.”
“Yeah, okay. That it?”
“That’s it.”
“Okay, bye.” She ended the call, and as she headed back inside, she made a promise to herself that once she cleared this all up with her fathers, she would never lie again.
* * *
ZAYNE TOOK A couple of plates out to serve dinner, but as he reached inside the bag to grab the takeout containers, Ethan held up a hand.
“I think I’m going to pass.”
“Really?”
“I’m not all that hungry.”
“Yeah, me either.” Zayne turned back to the bags, retied them, then popped them in the fridge. “I think I’m going to follow Red’s lead.”
“Ice cream for dinner?”
Zayne grinned and pulled open the freezer. “Damn right.” He grabbed the pint of butter pecan and a spoon. “Crazy night, huh?”
“That’s putting it mildly. I’d prepared myself to deal with your father, but the last thing I expected was to come face to face with hers.”
Zayne took the lid off the pint and dug into the creamy confection. “On the plus side, it was in a public place, so we left with all our teeth.”
Ethan flashed a wolfish grin his way.
“See, I would’ve been sad if I never felt those on me again.” Zayne slipped the spoon into his mouth and groaned as the sweet flavor hit his tongue.
“Are you wanting to feel them now ?”
“Maybe.”
“Keep that up, and you just might.”
Zayne chuckled as the sound of a door opening had them looking up the flight of stairs. Chloé made her way back down to the living room, holding on to the rail and concentrating on each step she took.
Still in her evening gown, she looked beautiful, but Zayne knew she couldn’t be comfortable, so he rested his spoon on the ice cream lid. “Be right back,” he said, and jogged over to meet her halfway up the stairs. “Get done with your call?”
“Yeah. We should have some peace and quiet now.”
“Nah. It’s all good. They’re just checking up on you.”
She scoffed. “You try having four overprotective men in your life.”
“Well, technically”—Zayne took another step up—“you now have six. But don’t let that make you run away.”
Chloé looked in Ethan’s direction. “I already told you,” she said, returning her eyes to Zayne, “I can’t run in heels.”
He let out a bark of laughter. “So you did. Speaking of heels, you want to get out of those? Maybe slip into something more comfortable?”
She looked down at the tight dress and nodded. “Definitely.”
“I figured.” Before she could think twice, he wrapped an arm around her waist and hauled her up over his shoulder, making her gasp.
“ Zayne ! What are you—”
“We’ll be right back,” he called down to Ethan as he started up the stairs toward their bedroom. “I’m just gettin’ something for Red to wear.”
“I can walk.”
Zayne swatted her gently on the ass. “Yeah, but where’s the fun in that?”
“You’re crazy.”
“And you have a nice ass.”
She giggled as he smoothed his hand over her behind and took the stairs two at a time, then entered the bedroom and set her down on the end of the bed. The jacket fell off her shoulders and pooled around her waist, and Zayne ran his eyes over her.
“Damn, Red. I’m supposed to be getting you something to wear. Not undressing you and keeping you that way.”
She placed her hands on the mattress and struck a pose. “Plans can change.”
“Behave yourself.”
Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she repeated, “But where’s the fun in that?”
She ran her hand over the duvet and looked up at him from beneath her lashes, and Zayne’s cock jerked inside his dress pants.
“So… This is where you two sleep when you stay here?”
“Among other things.”
Her lips curved as she looked around the room, and Zayne knew if he didn’t get her some clothes and get out of there, they were never going to eat their damn ice cream.
“I like it.” She nodded. “The room and…all those other things.”
“So do I.”
Zayne and Chloé looked over to the door to see Ethan leaning against the frame.
“I believe you two ordered ice cream, did you not?”
Zayne had been so distracted by Chloé that he hadn’t even seen the pint of butter pecan in Ethan’s hand. But as he walked into the room, Zayne noticed one very important thing that he hadn’t brought with him—a spoon.
“So, should we eat?”
* * *
ETHAN DRANK IN the sight of Chloé at the end of their bed with Zayne staring down at her, and was pleased he’d decided to follow them upstairs. At first, he hadn’t been sure which way the night would go, but it seemed that after her phone call, Chloé was looking for a little distraction.
Ethan smirked as he made his way over. “I figured it’d been a long night, and since none of us are interested in dinner, why not have our…dessert up here?”
Zayne grinned. “I think that’s a great idea. Red?”
“Sounds perfect to me.”
“Good. Then don’t let me interrupt,” Ethan said. “I believe Zayne was going to get you out of that dress.”
He walked over to the chair in the corner of their bedroom and took a seat, placing the pint on the table beside it.
Chloé looked over at him, curiosity in her eyes, and he winked at her. She’d been through a lot tonight, and it was time to show her a little fun—the softer side of themselves, so to speak.
Zayne stepped in front of her and moved down on his knees, and Chloé caught her breath.
“Naughty girl.” Zayne chuckled. “Where’s your mind at?”
She bit down into her lip, and that was answer enough.
“I’m just going to take off your heels .” He reached under the blue fabric and took her right foot in hand, removing the stiletto and placing it off to the side. “Okay, now the other one.”