Page 65 of Vegas with my Brother’s Best Friends

And Ryan thinks I’m doing what’s best with pure intentions.

Fuck. I’m the asshole.

“You look like you’re about to throw up,” Marcus comments as he makes his way over to me.

“I might,” I mutter as I drag my fingers through my hair.

Marcus frowns and steps closer to me, lowering his voice so that only I can hear. “Did Ryan say something to you?”

I look over at him, my expression stiff. “He thanked me for looking after Cass.”

Marcus grimaces a little. “I mean…you are. Derek is an ass.”

“And we’re that much better than him? We’re sneaking around behind our best friend’s back to have sex with his sister. It’s fucked up.”

“We’re not going to hurt her, though,” Marcus says. “We care about her.”

“We haven’t hurt her yet,” I correct him. “It’s just a matter of time before everything falls apart, and you know it.”

Marcus remains silent, a frown lingering on his face.

“I’m done for this game,” I mutter before walking away from the net, needing some space.

I feel Cassidy’s eyes on me as I pass by her, but I don’t meet her gaze. I can’t. The more I get involved with her, the more reckless I become.

And not in a good way. Not in a way that saves lives.

In a way that jeopardizes all of us and the people we care about.

Chapter twenty-three

Chapter 23: Tyler

The volleyball game doesn’t last that much longer after Jackson and Derek get into it.

That damn hothead. He’s going to make Ryan suspicious of us if he keeps acting so protective of Cassidy.

Granted, it was funny watching Derek get all pissy when Jackson called him out.

Most of the girls, including Cassidy, have already left by the time the last point is scored. Everyone splits apart to do their own thing, and I’m soon left by myself on the beach.

I sling my towel over my shoulder and head toward the resort, checking my phone as I walk. I answer some work emails and message a few club associates by the time I reach a walkway along the side of the building.

My eyes move away from my phone and land on a few shrubs full of eye-catching pink flowers. I gravitate closer, leaning down to smell their perfume-like scent.

I wish Cassidy was around to see them. They’re pretty nice looking flowers, and they smell great.

She’s probably chilling in her room, though, and I’m not about to ask her to come all the way down to see some flowers.

Maybe I could bring them to her.

I glance around, making sure no one from the wedding party is around before plucking a few flowers from the bush. Once I have a small bundle of them, I head into the building and take the elevator up to her floor, feeling an unusual stir deep in my chest.

My palms feel warmer too.

I draw in a slow inhale, waiting for my heartbeat to slow down. But it doesn’t. It only ramps up even more as I step out of the elevator and get closer and closer to her room.

Why do I feel so much pressure right now?