We don’t plan to take the guards. They’ll be staying behind to protect those we care about. Wyatt. Jackson. Ansel. Jules.
And Neo.
The one I care about most of all.
Only Jules doesn’t protest, speaking to Harley quietly as he loads his sniper rifle. The chef reaches out to push a strand of hair behind my youngest brother’s ear, concern etched on his brow. Harley looks up, and the longing in his gaze has me frowning.
Why hasn’t he made a move yet?
I know my brothers have a betting pool going on Neo and me, but our situation’s completely different. I started in a semi-pretend relationship and believed myself to be straight.
Turns out neither of those could withstand the hurricane that was Neo. He blew right into my world and obliterated every obstacle in our path.
And I couldn’t be happier that he did.
But with Jules and Harley…I can’t see what the issue is. They’re both gay. Well, Harley is pan, but I don’t think another person has existed for him since the day he met Jules.
So why aren’t the two of them together?
“Here.” Neo presses something into my hands, pulling my attentionback to him. It’s a bulletproof vest. Right. Now isn’t the time to be worrying about my brother’s relationship status. “You’re going to wear this.”
I take it from him, but don’t put it on. “I never wear one of these.”
“You do now.” Neo taps it. “Every time you go into a situation like this, one of these goes under your shirt. Got it?”
My lips twitch. “Or what, brat?”
“You can say goodbye to being able to use your laptop, for a start.” His hands go to his hips as his pert nose lifts into the air. “I’ll upload so many viruses that the only thing you’ll see on your screen will be a picture of me glaring at you.”
I cuff his hips, unable to stop my smile. “Doesn’t sound too bad to me. That’s a sight I’m used to.”
“How about no more sex? Can you get used to that?”
I lean down to bite at his jaw. “You’d crack before I would.”
Someone clears their throat, and I look up to see everyone staring at us. “What?”
Dalton makes an exaggerated show of checking his watch. “It’s past midnight, so I’m calling it the fifteenth. I need to check the book to see who’s closest.”
Ah. The betting pool.
“Can we do that later?” I say mildly as Dalton pats down his pockets. “We have intruders to deal with.”
“They’re outside Neo’s window,” Ansel calls from where he’s monitoring the situation. “Not sure what they’re doing, but they’re close.”
Too close. I don’t like that. Are they targeting him specifically?
The monster rises to the surface, and I gladly welcome him. “Let’s go.”
“Wait.” Neo grabs my waist. “I mean it, Wylder. Put on the vest. For me.”
I waver. Father would never have allowed us to wear such a thing. He thought needing armor made you weak. “If you’re good enough, they won’t have a chance to take you down.”
“Just do it, Bro.”A hand clamps down on my shoulder. I turn myhead to see Cade wearing a matching one. So are Matthias and Harley.
Only Samson and Dalton are without.
Samson raises a hand to Dalton. “Here’s to not being fucking whipped.”
