Chapter 1
Hunt Cade breathed in the scent of booze and perfume and let out a contented sigh. He was in his element inside the club at Blue Casino. He flagged the bartender, who lifted his chin in acknowledgment. Within a minute, Hunt’s favorite drink would be delivered to him.
Hunt’s brother Adam stood across the room, talking to a coworker. Adam, the traitor, worked at Blue Casino, while Hunt and their other three brothers had been holding down the fort at Club Tahoe since their father’s passing.
Three, four years? Had it been that long since Ethan Cade died? It seemed like only yesterday that Hunt stood outside his dad’s hospital room and learned the news. And it hadn’t been a quick death. Their father had been diagnosed with cancer months earlier, but he’d suffered in silence. By the time Hunt and his brothers discovered the truth, their father was gone.
Adam finally looked up from his conversation and met Hunt’s gaze. He murmured something to the coworker and weaved his way over, looking slick in his customary designer suit.
“I’m grabbing a beer,” Hunt’s buddy Chris said. He was Hunt’s wingman tonight. Chris took off for the bar, a swagger in his step as he flashed a grin at a passing blonde.
Adam walked up and clapped Hunt on the shoulder. “Weren’t you here last night?”
Hunt scanned the room. “Your point?”
“You need a life.”
Hunt coughed into the palm of his hand. “Ineed a life? You’re married, and appear to have forgotten there’s an entire world outside.”
Adam grinned lewdly. “Because it’s more fun inside.”
Point taken.Adam’s wife Hayden was beautiful. No doubt his brother found ways to occupy their time. But still, where was the variety? Where was the energy that vibrated with the hunt? No pun intended.
Adam eyed him. “You might consider something longer than a one-night stand.”
“I’ll stick with my current entertainments, thank you very much.” Hunt had already scouted the place, but he made a show of scanning the room again to prove to his brother that his words didn’t affect him.
Sadly, Hunt saw familiar faces, which only proved Adam’s point.
Out of all the Cade sons, Hunt had gotten around the most. Was that so wrong?
Adam shoved his hand in his pants pocket, looking annoyingly concerned. “Try not to contract a venereal disease.”
Hunt glared. “It’s called acondom. I’m as clean as spring rain.” He straightened his button-down shirt, still wearing jeans. No way he’d be caught in the monkey suits Adam donned each day.
“Are you sure about that?”
“Yes, I’m sure,” Hunt said. “I go to the doctor, you asshole.” Damn, his brothers were annoying.
Adam glanced at his Rolex. “Just checking.” But Hunt could tell his “activities” these last few years worried his brother. Never used to. It wasn’t until recently, when all of his brothers had settled down, that Hunt received more heat than normal from his family.
“I’m off,” Adam said. “Hayden and I have plans.”
Hunt narrowed his eyes. “Real plans? Or are you just saying that to take off and get your wife into bed?”
Adam shook his head slowly as though Hunt was being ridiculous.
Such a hypocrite.Adam presented a polished exterior, but Hunt knew better. His brother had his own history with beautiful women. That part of his life might be behind him, but Adam didn’t even hide the fact that he took advantage of the best perk of being married. As far as Hunt was concerned, it was theonlyperk.
“I don’t seduce my wife every minute of the day,” Adam said. “Levi and Emily are coming over for dinner, and then we’re watchingThe Bachelor.”
Hunt closed his eyes and sighed heavily. “Hanging out with our older brother and his girlfriend and watching reality TV is not ‘real plans.’ You might as well pull on an adult diaper and sign up for Life Alert. You’ve got one foot in the grave, my man.”
Adam waved goodbye to the coworker he’d been talking to earlier. “Don’t knock it until you try it.”
“I’ll pass,” Hunt said distractedly, in desperate need of kicking off the night. His brothers’ love lives were depressing.
“I’ll see you at the next beer night?” Adam said. “Or maybe I’ll see you here tomorrow?” He quirked his eyebrow.
