Buckled (Trails of Sin 2)

“Where am I staying?”

“In Lorne’s suite.”

I lead her through an abbreviated tour of the common areas—formal dining room, sitting room, and a gaming area that’s never used.

When we arrive in the kitchen, I give her slender body a once over. “Are you hungry?”

She shakes her head, looking around the open floor plan. “It’s all very masculine.”

Our fathers installed the reclaimed hardwood and rustic accents and filled the spacious rooms with dark, timeless furniture.

“I’ve been thinking about updating it.” When I have enough money.

“No, I like it. It suits you.” She searches my eyes. “Who’s older, you or Jake?”

“I beat him into the world by fifteen minutes. Do you have siblings?”

“Nope. Just me.”

“Living parents?”

Another shake of her head. “Mom passed last year.”

“I’m sorry.” My fingers twitch to touch her. “Were you close?”

“Yeah. She, uh… She had cancer. I was with her at the end, and…” Pain mars her pretty features. “Let’s change the subject.”

“I’ll show you to your room.”

I guide her through the estate and into the Holsten wing.

“My rooms are just through there.” I motion at the end of the corridor. Turning back, I open the door to the vacant suite and flip on the lights. “It’s not furnished. Just a bed and—”

“Wow.” She enters, taking in the bare white walls and enormous spread of interconnecting rooms. “It’s huge.”

I gave him the larger of the two suites because he’s the oldest, and for some reason, I’ve always imagined him marrying before I do.

“The bathroom is around the corner, and you’ll find a closet full of towels and shit for the bed.” I set the box of toiletries on the mattress, glancing at the scarcity of its contents. “You don’t have much here. Do you need anything?”

“No, I’m just going to take a shower and go to sleep.”

I give her a nod and stride toward the door.

“Jarret?”

“Yeah?” I pause on the threshold and glance back, sinking into her deep blue eyes.

“Thank you.”

I doubt she’ll be thanking me tomorrow. With another nod, I close the door and make my way to the wing on the opposite side of the estate.

By the time I knock on Jake’s door, I’ve prepared myself for every argument he’ll hurl at me.

The door cracks open, and he pokes his head out, his hair tousled and eyes heavy with sleep. “What?”

“We need to talk.”

He opens the door wider and moves to step out.

I stop him with a hand on his bare chest. “In your room.”

His entire body goes rigid, his voice an angry hush. “You brought her into our house?”

I don’t answer him. He sees the adamancy in my eyes.

“Dammit.” He glances behind him at the bed and squints. Then he opens the door all the way.

I follow him through the dark and veer off to sit on the couch near the fireplace. His silhouette moves to the bed, where he adjusts the covers over Conor’s still form and kisses her on the head.

A moment later, he joins me, lowering into the chair, wearing only boxer briefs. “What the fuck are you doing?”

Despite the absence of light, I feel his glare and know it well.

With a deep breath, I recap my evening with Maybe Quinn, detailing the names she listed, the meeting she claims she had with our father, her financial situation, every word we exchanged. Then I outline my plan to keep her close and gain her trust.

He sits back with a grunt. “You’re thinking with your dick.”

“No, I—”

“So you don’t want to fuck her?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Get rid of her.”

“I know what I’m doing. I just need you to—”

“I’m not participating in this madness.”

“Shut up, Jake.” Conor’s drowsy voice drifts from across the room. “Stop being such an asshole and let him talk.”

A smile tugs at my lips. “I’m sorry I woke you, Conor.”

“It’s okay.” Her shadow stirs in the bed, rising to a sitting position. “Your brother’s snoring was keeping me up anyway.”

“She’s full of shit,” Jake mumbles.

She turns, reaching for something, and the moonlight glances off her nude back.

I avert my gaze. “Until I know more about this woman, I have to keep tabs on her. What better way than to have her working with me all day and spending time with me at night.”

“In your bed.”

“Does it matter?”

“No, it doesn’t.” Conor approaches, dressed in a t-shirt three-times too big for her. “Keep your enemies close. Isn’t that what they say?”

Jake holds out an arm to her.

She slides into his embrace and onto his lap. “Is she crafty enough to hide cameras around?”

“I don’t know.” I rub a hand through my hair. “She’s smart. We’ll have to monitor our conversations, but we should be doing that anyway. This will keep us from becoming complacent.”

Jake releases a slow breath, exposing a crack in his resistance. “You need to talk to Lorne.”

“I’ll email him tonight.”

Even though he’s in prison, we run every decision by him as if he were still here.