The words hit like a slap. My eyes flick to Lennox—no,Benton Lennox.That changes everything.
The tightness in my chest twists into something else—relief, interest, maybe both.
“Guess it makes sense why you were in a Kraken jersey.” My lip twitches.
My brother says that your brother is Korbin Brooks. Now I know why you called Benton a fucker when he checked Korbin.
James translates, and I bust out a deep belly laugh. “That would be correct.”
Benton leans back in his seat, eyes narrowing. “Is there a reason you’re at our table, Brooks?” The tone’s a pure challenge.
I meet his stare, steady. “Just clearing the air.”
“It looks like you were doing more than that.”
James’ hands stall midair, clearly deciding if translating this is a good idea. Bayleigh touches her brother’s arm, fingers moving fast. Whatever she signs makes him relax.
“She said you’re fine,” James mutters, while Benton still eyes me like he’s not totally convinced.
I grin as James reiterates what she told Benton. “Listen to your sister, Lennox. She’s got better manners than you.”
His jaw ticks. I can practically smell the territorial spike rolling off him.
Bayleigh, clearly a bit flustered with her brother, signs at him, and I can tell by her face she’s pissed. Then she looks at me, hands moving fluidly.
“She says she’ll text you later. Thanks for coming over and not just staying across the bar. But right now she needs to teach her brother etiquette, and she wants to seem like a lady still and not annihilate these wings in front of you,” James tells me.
I choke on a laugh but quickly compose myself. “Good,” I say. “Would’ve hated to think you were off-limits.”
Benton shifts beside her, shoulders tense. Warning number… I lost count.
Her lips twitch, a silent laugh, and it hits me dead center.
I back up before I do something stupid. “See you around, Bayleigh.”
Her name comes out rougher than I mean it to. She blushes, just barely, then nods.
I turn before her brother explodes. My pulse is still in my throat by the time I hit our table again.
Korbin smirks. “What the hell was that?”
“Just clearing up a misunderstanding.”
Milton snorts into his beer. “Looked more like you were trying to pick up the enemy’s girl.”
I shoot him a look, but he’s grinning, unbothered.
Korbin leans forward, forearms on the table, that edge in his voice back again. “What the fuck are you doing? You tell me not to attempt to steal his girl, but you go over there and pretty much piss on her leg.”
“That’s not his girl; she’s his sister.”
He lets out a low, humorless chuckle, eyes flat. “You really want to start something with a Kraken? The guy already hates my guts. You put your hands anywhere near his family, he’ll have your head mounted on his fucking stick.”
“Relax,” I say, though my jaw’s tight. “I wasn’t putting my hands anywhere… yet.”
Milton raises a brow. “Yet?”
Korbin’s glare swings to him, then back to me. “I’m serious, Linx. Don’t make this worse than it already is. Lennox and I barely made it through tonight without killing each other.”
