Page 95 of The Betrothal

I twisted to get free of Seb’s grip but he tightened his hold, his face coming close to my ear. “Stay still, Killer. This isn’t our fight, and it’s been some time coming.”

“I don’t doubt Alex deserved that, but Seb, he was just trying to protect him,” I whispered from my cage in his arms.

“Be that as it may, Killer. Ben has been needing to establish some boundaries for a while. And Alex really needed someone to set him straight when it comes to you. It was him or me.”

The fight left me, discomfort warring inside me, I didn’t like this.

“We’ve both tried reasoning with him. His manipulating you to travel to the manor when Ben wasn’t able to argue with him, that was the final straw.” His words ghosted over the shell of my ear and the shudder warmed my cool body. The man’s nearness was a constant problem for my focus. “I hope you made him suffer?”

When I didn’t immediately reply he chuckled evilly in my ear.

“What?” I protested despite the lack of accusation. “I did give him hell.”

“Until?” Seb muttered while the brothers argued in front of us.

“Last night?”

He nipped my earlobe in response. “Oh, filthy little Killer, will you apprise me of all the dirty details?”

I gasped, the noise slowing the sound of the argument which continued, thankfully without further violence.

“I’m not sure Ben wants the details,” I argued.

“Who said anything about Ben?” His next nip was harder but he sucked the skin between his teeth, soothing the sharp sting.

“Okay.” I spoke louder to catch everyone’s attention. “But first I need to tell you both something.”

“I told you, Killer, neither of us care about Alex joining your fan club. We do care that you didn’t make him beg. That was our only condition.” He pouted at me as he placed the steaming mug of coffee onto the table.

“That’s not it, although I’m pleased you don’t care, and I will note to punish him further, or for the next short while.” My comment had the mood sobering. “That’s what I need to tell you. My contact reached out to Alex with a new date.”

Both men swung their attention to Alex, each of their attitudes darkening. Ben glared at him.

“I’m meeting them in five days, in town.” I sipped the coffee to distract myself from the rising panic.

“Five fucking days! Alex, when did you know?” Seb demanded.

“Two days ago,” he confessed.

“You fucking prick,” Seb spat. “And you still took her?”

Alex sighed. “Yes.”

Ben shifted, his distress visible. I suspected his sadness was the only thing stopping Seb from giving him a matching bruise.

“It’s okay, Benji, I’m sure we can sort something out,” Seb soothed him.

Ben’s smile was rueful. “I doubt it, Seb, but I appreciate you wanting to make me feel better.”

Alex scoffed. “Oh, so he can try to protect you from being upset but I can’t.”

The look he received from Ben silenced him.

“We can sort something. Can’t we, Killer?” Seb looked at me full of hope.

I shrugged. “You know we can’t.” I reached over the table to hold his hand. “I wish it wasn’t like this too.”

He blinked slowly at me, eyes glazing with his upset.