I stick my tongue out at him. “Don’t forget you’re on my Anderson shit list too.”
“And let me guess. The only one not to make the list is Harley.”
“Harley’s sweet and hot as fuck,” I say, purely to get a rise out of Kai. Plus, I know I’m about to lose that angle, so I want to piss him off first.
Kai tugs at his ear, like he can’t believe what he just heard. “Come again?”
“Now, it adds up,” Rick says, grinning. “You didn’t hook up with Harley. That was an excuse so—”
He’s cut off when a meaty hand wraps around his throat, restricting his air supply. Kai is puce in the face as he slams his older brother into the wall. “You have two seconds to explain before I dig a pit outside and bury every fucking one of you!” he yells, his gaze bouncing between the three guys in the room.
“What the actual fuck…” Joaquin says, rushing into the room, his words dying out when he spots Rick smashed against the wall with Kai’s hand around his neck, “is going on?”
Harley races in behind him, sending panicked eyes in my direction, and guilt churns in my gut.
“That’s what I’d like to know.” Kai bores a hole in the side of Harley’s head, and his cheeks darken. “Over here now,” he commands, slapping Rick’s cheek before releasing him. Rick punches him in the gut, but it’s lacking power because Kai doesn’t even flinch. He just smirks. That horrible smug smirky thing he does that makes me want to claw my nails down his face.
“Asshole,” Rick spits, rubbing at his neck.
Kai ignores him, slinging his arm around his younger brother’s shoulder in a threatening manner. “Spill. And hold nothing back, or I’ll know.”
“I’m sorry, Kai!” Harley says, his voice quaking. “I shouldn’t have drunk the tequila because I got wasted, and I don’t remember any of it, but I didn’t mean to do it. I know she’s your girl, and I’d never have touched her if I wasn’t so trashed.” The confession spews from his mouth like projectile vomit.
“What did you do?” Kai locks eyes with me as he asks his brother the question.
“I don’t know,” Harley wails, and his lower lip wobbles. “All I know is they found us in our underwear in bed.” He pins sorrowful eyes on his brother. “I’m sorry, Kai. And I promise it won’t happen again. Please don’t hate me.”
Fuck this shit. I’ve got to end this before poor Harley cries. “Nothing happened,” I admit, because I can’t stand to see the anguish in Harley’s eyes. “I just made it look like that.” Harley’s head whips around to mine, his eyes splayed wide. “I’m sorry. It was a shitty thing to do, but I had to cover my tracks and there wasn’t time for anything else.”
“Because you snuck out and bought the cell phone,” Rick says, joining the dots. I nod. “How? You had no cash.”
“I sweet-talked Harley into giving me cash for snacks, made a deal with the girl in reception so I could borrow her ride, and then got him drunk superfast so he passed out and I could leave.”
Jackson chuckles. “Resourceful as ever, beautiful, and my offer still stands.” He palms his crotch, giving it a quick stroke. “Whenever you ditch the caveman, I’ll be right here waiting.”
“As will my fists,” Kai cuts in. “I’m fucking warning you, Lauder. You’re on thin ice with me, so quit that shit. She’s carrying my baby, and I’m fucked if I’ll sit by and let you drool all over her. That goes for all of you.” His gaze bounces between his brothers and his friends. He lets Harley go. “You too, Har.”
His voice and his expression gentles, and it’s fascinating watching him handle someone with kid gloves. “It’s okay. I don’t blame you.” His eyes settle on mine momentarily. “It’s hard to deny her when she lays on the charm.” He messes up Harley’s hair, and I smother a smile when Harley scowls, swatting his hand away. “Don’t go anywhere alone with her because I don’t trust her not to try something again.”
I roll my eyes. “Oh, puh-lease. There’s no need to make out like I’m Mata Hari.”
“Who’s Mati Hara?” Harley asks, scratching the side of his head.
“Mata Hariwas a Dutch dancer who used seduction tactics to spy for the Germans during World War One,” Sawyer explains.
“Xavier told me about her one time,” I say. “One of his many random but interesting facts.” I tap a finger off my chin, fighting the laughter bubbling up my throat. “Now that I think about it, you two areso alike. You’re virtually a match made in heaven. I know Xavier thinks you’re hot. Do you think he’s hot?” I ask Sawyer, waggling my brows. “If you let him come here, I’ll sign up to play matchmaker.”
“Does anyone have a muzzle?” Sawyer replies, pursing his lips and narrowing his eyes.
“I’m only trying to inject some energy into your love life. No need to be mean.”
“I’m perfectly capable of finding a willing partner to share my bed with no interference from you.” He crosses his feet at the ankles as he leans back against the dresser. “And we all know that’s a smokescreen. You’re just trying to get your buddy here.”
“Do you blame me?” My brows climb to my hairline. “You could at least give me one ally.”
“We’reyour allies,” Jackson says, anxiously swiping his hands up and down the front of his jeans.
“And it’s safer for Xavier if he doesn’t know where we are,” Sawyer says, and I believe it when it comes from his mouth.
