Phoenix took a step back but Atlas held firm and waved a finger between us. “This isn’t code for something else, is it? I mean…” Atlas extended his arms wide. “We’re at Rawhide Ranch. You don’t have to use code words.”
“They’re not code words. I’m giving her a massage as I am trained and certified to do.”
“You should have told us you had something planned. We wondered where you’d run off to.”
“I finished today’s tasks, now I’m taking part in Ranch activities. Don’t see why I need to tell you.”
Penny giggled beside me and whispered, although I’m certain Atlas could hear, “It’s like he’s that big brother you mentioned, always monitoring you.”
I shot the firmest, sternest look I could to my brothers. I’d come unglued if they fucked this up. I had to keep it official. “I’ll catch up with you later to go over tomorrow’s schedule.”
Phoenix rolled his eyes and turned to leave.
Atlas huffed, staying squarely in front of me.
My brothers were smart but we had an unbreakable bond—one that was currently being put to the test. So far, everyone hada passing grade. Surely they realized that if they screwed this up for one of us, they screwed it up for all of us.
“Let’s get that massage.” I stepped around Atlas and opened the door, escorting Penny inside.
The seconds ticked past while she was in the bathroom and I finished prepping the room. Part of me worried she wasn’t coming back.
My heart wanted to run right down my arm, off the tips of my fingers, and into the hallway to guard the front door and make sure she didn’t try to leave.
Would that come across as being firmly encouraging or desperate? I feared the latter.
All I could do was trust that she’d return. And that she’d understand why I waited to tell her who I was.
Chapter Six
Phoenix
Not sure if Everest would come back after giving Penny a massage, or what that even meant, Atlas and I waited in my room with the door open. Everest had some explaining to do.
“What the fuck, man?” Atlas jumped up before I realized Everest was heading toward our apartment.
“That was a dick move,” I added anti-climactically.
“Give me a fucking second to explain.” Everest stepped inside, slammed the door, then rested against it.
“No. You had your second. What were you thinking, giving our stepsister a massage?” Atlas wasn’t just hot, but ready to boil over.
Everest motioned for Atlas to control himself, which only irritated our brother more, but he got the point. If we made too much noise, we could get found out, or worse, kicked off the Ranch.
Everest continued, “It was strictly a massage. Nothing more… other than we walked around and talked beforehand.”
“Why?” I grumbled.
“To learn what she wants out of her stay at Rawhide Ranch… and make sure she’s safe. I’m getting to know her. Did either of you have a plan?”
“Yeah, we could all three get to know her.” Atlas had no patience for Everest taking the lead, and tried to get in his face but Everest kept him at arm’s length.
“Not at the same time.” Everest shoved Atlas backward and stepped to the side.
“Easy for you to say since you got her naked and rubbed all over her first.” Atlas was about to blow a gasket.
Sometimes, I loved watching my brothers go at it. Not right now with so much on the line. I motioned for Atlas to back off. “Take a corner.”
Giving Atlas a few seconds to mope across the room, I said, “Atlas, you wouldn’t have doubled back and talked to Erica privately about Penny, if you didn’t have your own motives.”
