“I’d like for you to leave.”I turn to Fiero.“Make her leave.”
He gives me a warm look.It might not seem so to others, but spending enough time with him allows me to see these tiny changes in his features.
“I can remove her from the room, but she’s not going anywhere.She’s staying here so we have something they want.”He pins Bri with an angry glare.
Grabbing the tub of ice cream, I rip off the lid and grab the spoon to point it at Bri.“Then put her in the basement next to my brother.”
I shove a spoonful of icy goodness into my mouth and sigh in the tiny moment of contentment.
Fiero chuckles.“We could trade and get your brother upstairs.He’s actually been quite cooperative giving me straight answers, even if he can’t speak.I have the doctor checking him out to give me additional answers.”
“He’s not coming upstairs.He still put a gun to my head so he’s staying put,” I grumble and shovel another delicious scoop of ice cream in my mouth.
“Quinn.”Bri tries to reach for me again.
“No, Bri.I’m not talking to you unless you have a damn fine explanation.The look you gave Fiero when he called you out about your brother said enough.You looked freaking guilty, so you know something I don’t know.”
“I didn’t know,” she croaks and taps on the screen on her phone before showing it to me.“Archi just asked me to keep an eye on you.How you might need our help and that I should offer it to you.He was concerned, that’s all.There’s no way I would ever agree to causing trouble, getting you hurt or whatever.I swear, he only wants to help.”
Fiero takes the phone from Bri.“Tate, put her into a guestroom and make sure she stays there.”
“Sure, boss.”Tate strides to the bed, takes Bri by her elbow and guides her out of the room.
Bri doesn’t say anything or so much as put up a fight; she hangs her head and walks away.Walks.Away.I’ve been repeating this sentence for what feels like every second of the day, but seriously?What the hell is going on?
“Floris, get in here and close the door,” Fiero orders.
Fiero scoots down to the edge of the bed while Floris leans against the wall.I keep eating ice cream, it’s a simple thing to do and it at least makes me feel better.I have a feeling whatever Fiero is about to say won’t be good.
“The family legacy is the Reaux college, along with the fantasy deal.My grandfather founded everything while my father almost fucked it all up.I had to swoop in and make sure everything stayed in our name.Cillian was the one who almost bought what’s ours.”Fiero bounces a finger between him and Floris.
Floris curses.“You’re thinking it was a setup?This is a second attempt to take us down, isn’t it?Really?That fucker is willing to work with someone who works in underground fighting?That shit is more illegal than the fantasy deals we have to help students fund their career.”
Fiero shrugs.“Apples and oranges.I consider myself an information broker while others see it as extorting people.”
“Why would Bri’s brother be involved?”I ask, scraping the bottom of the tub.
Wow, I inhaled the ice cream.
Floris and Fiero share a look, and then my husband starts to explain.“Both Cillian and Archibald were students here, as were their fathers.Archibald didn’t accept a fantasy deal invite, the others did.My father pressured Archibald’s father into something he had no business interfering with.It all backfired.Archibald’s father was disbarred, his license to practice law was revoked.Archibald is holding a grudge while Cillian’s father ended up with a jail sentence.Both on opposite ends, while blaming the one who foolishly thought he could interfere for his own personal gain, our father.All of this is a twisted form of revenge.Cillian saw my protective streak when it came to you and used it against me.So did Archibald through his sister, your best friend.Though, I don’t think she’s fully involved.They might have used her as well.”
I frown and try to make sense of what Fiero just said.“So, your father made Archi’s father do something illegal and it cost him his job.Since he was Cillian’s father’s lawyer his trial went to shit.Nice butterfly effect that’s going on for how many years now?”
“Long enough,” Floris snaps.“I say we use Tate’s girl to force a truce.If they don’t want it?We’ll make her disappear.”
“Excuse you?”I throw the spoon at him.
Except, I can’t throw for shit and it hits the wall two feet from where he’s standing, leaving a chocolate smudge.
“She’s an innocent who...”Fiero stops talking and then he’s wearing a stupid grin.
I narrow my eyes.“I’m afraid to ask what you’re thinking.”
The corner of his mouth twitches.He crawls closer to me and I can feel my heart jump.
He’s inches from my face when he asks, “I’m thinking about using the part where we made a baby.”
Using the part...what is he...oh.Damn.
