Page 41 of Devil’s Snare

Cin stepped in front of me. “Watch it, or I’ll be throwing you out of the apartment. Don’t fucking tempt me.”

Ethan flipped him off. “Fuck you.”

Cin bristled. “You don’t want me to get angry.”

“Why? You the fucking Hulk?” Ethan dismissed him and turned back to me. “We gotta talk, G. Now.”

“I know,” I sighed. I meant to mention Cin to Ethan, but I didn’t know how to bring him up in conversation.

“Alone.”

“Not gonna happen,” Cin growled.

I pressed my hand to Cin’s chest. “Hey, big guy. I know you’re being protective right now, and I appreciate it, but this is my brother. I’d like a few minutes alone with him.”

Cin rolled his shoulders back. “Fine. Gonna take a ride. Text if you need me.”

“I will.”

He slid an arm around my back and hauled me into his chest, kissing me in front of my brother in a way that marked ownership. It wasn’t because he felt threatened. I think he did it because he was agitated and we got interrupted. He really didn’t like Ethan pointing a gun at either of us.

“I want an apology when I get back,” he snarled at Ethan, picking up his shirt, cut, and boots on the way out.

My brother, not giving a shit, flipped him off again.

As soon as we were alone, I put on a pot of tea and popped a vanilla coffee in the Keurig.

Ethan watched me, sighing more than once. “Why did you keep this a secret?”

“I didn’t intend to,” I replied with honesty. “It just happened.”

He snorted at that. “And what? He accidentally shoved his tongue down your throat? Are you sleeping with him?”

“That’s none of your damn business,” I snapped, pointing to the Keurig. “Get your own coffee.”

“Christ, Gwen.” He approached me and lifted his hands. “I’m sorry. Okay? I saw some shady-looking dude climbing into your bedroom window. I thought you were in danger.”

I was. Of being shown a really good time.

“He would never hurt me.”

“How was I supposed to know that? Why doesn’t he use the door like a normal person? Climbing the fire escape is fucking nuts.”

It did look bad. “I know it seems that way.”

“You know he’s in a biker gang, right? He’s wearing one of those leather vests. The Grave Prowlers MC.”

Ugh. “You’re not really going to sit here and pass judgment, are you? Because that’s bullshit, and you know it.”

Ethan scrubbed his hand down his face and over the scruff on his jaw. “You barely know him, G.”

“Isn’t the whole point of dating someone to get to know them better?” I asked softly, resting a hand on his arm.

“He’s dangerous.”

“Not to me, Ethan. He’s protection.”

“Really? You telling me that you’re fucking him, so he’ll keep you safe? From what? Or who?” He suddenly looked spooked. “Has something happened?”