We could do that.
See? This is what happens. I get all caught up in Neo and start behaving like one of my brothers. They might think it’s fine to be led by their baser instincts, but I know better.
Obsession is dangerous. Foolish.
And, like I’ve said, I’m no fool.
Neither is Neo, which is why I’m even more confused by his behavior. He knows I’m not interested in him like that. Even if I were into men, I’d never be into Neo.
We mix like gasoline and fire: combustible and dangerous to everyone around us.
Besides, I have Candace…much to the chagrin of my family.
After Neo waltzed into my life, I quickly realized I couldn’t end things. Not officially, at least. If Neo’s this bad when he believes I’m in a relationship, I dread to think what he’d be like if I were single.
Technically, I am. Candace knows how the land lies between us. She made her bed the night Ansel slammed a well-deserved pie into her face. Anything that might’ve existed between us is dead and buried.
But, for the sake of appearances, we’re pretending otherwise. She’s going along with it because I’m a Buckingham. Because I’m Wylder Buckingham, and she loves the attention she gets while on my arm.
As for me? I’m going along with it to keep Neo at arm’s length. To shut up my brothers’ teasing. To maintain the control I desperately need.
None of it is working.
Which is why I’m hiding at the end of the alleyway, waiting for my target to cross my path.
He’s chattering away as he does so, meaning he’s not alone. I’m not worried though. Despite my life behind a desk, I’m more than capable of looking after myself, even against multiple attackers.
Father made certain of it.
Reaching out, I grab the target’s shirt and haul him into the alley. He lets out a sharp yell as his back meets the brick. “Let me go. I swear, I’m innocent.”
He’s not. As with all requests made to The Firm, I did my due diligence before granting it. Kyle Alexander is scum. Scum who uses others to make sure his hands remain clean.
Too bad for him that I’ve got no issue getting mine dirty occasionally. If for no other reason than to let my monster out to play.
“There are many words to describe you, but innocent isn’t one of them,” I growl, my hand going to his throat. “Maybe by the time I’m through, you’ll have learned that actions have consequences.”
I pull back a fist, my monster roaring with glee, but I don’t get to land the punch. A figure steps into the mouth of the alley. “Hey! Um. Let him go.”
I freeze. Not at the words, but the voice. I know that voice. “Neo?”
Fuck. Even while acting as The Firm, I can’t escape him.
Neo steps closer, squinting. His blue hair is slightly rumpled, the smattering of freckles across his nose visible in the dim light of the alley. “Which one are you?”
I’m so confused. How can he not know it’s me?
That’s when I remember that I’m masked and using a voice distorter. Still, I can’t understand why I’m suddenly bubbling with irritation.
Probably because Neo could be gagged with a sack over his head, and you’d still recognize him.
Well, yes. But I’ve been trained to recognize things like that. Neo hasn’t. It’s perfectly reasonable for him not to know who I am.
I just wish it didn’t make me feel so fucking…irrational. Irrationally hurt.
My brain is working quickly, as it always does, slotting the pieces together. My hand is around the throat of Neo’s so-called boyfriend.
Oh, my monster likes that. It roars in pleasure, the claws coming out.
