Wilde Love (The Brothers of Wilde, Nevada 6)

She looked at each of the five brothers and saw the gloom on their faces. The dream she and four of them held was no more. Even Austin’s demeanor had a dark sadness.

No one spoke again until they were all dressed.

Denver was the first to break the silence. “So I guess that’s that, Austin. Us or you? That’s her choice.”

“Yep.”

“You’re being an asshole.” Dallas stood up but this time didn’t start pacing. “How can you ask that of her? You saw how she responded to us.”

“I did. But Jackson asked me three times to go easy on her. I saw how each of you reacted to what I did. Even you, Denver.”

“Give us time, bro. Jackson’s really new to the scene.” Denver looked at her then back at Austin. “Besides, is pushing her to choose between us something she really needs?”

Jessie had finally had enough. “I’m so sick of this talk. I’m right here, guys. I have a brain. I can make my own decisions.”

Phoenix grabbed her hand. “Jessie, we’re asking too much of you.”

“You can say that again.” She braced herself for what she had to say. “I’m not going to choose. Think how I would feel breaking you brothers up.”

“You’re not, sweetheart. He is.” Dallas pointed at Austin.

“Whatever. If I choose Austin, I lose four men I love. If I choose you guys, I lose one man I love. What kind of future would that be for me? I’m not willing to find out. If I’m going to grieve, so be it. But I will not choose.”

Austin gazed at her, likely in an attempt to try to mesmerize her again. “Pet—”

“I want to go to the ladies’ room.” Jessie walked to the door. What she really needed was to crawl into a hole and forget. She touched the handle, and realized it was still locked. The handle had a double lock that required a key on both sides.

Austin pulled the key out of his pocket. “Here it is, but I’m going with you.”

But before Jessie could argue she wanted to be alone for at least five minutes to try to sort things out, she felt the handle turn.

The door swung open, revealing Samantha holding a pistol that was aimed right between Jessie’s eyes.

She’s the real killer. Oh my God!

“One move, boys, and your pretty little Jessie’s brains will be splattered all over the wall.”

Jessie’s heart pounded hard in her chest. “Samantha, don’t be foolish.”

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She ignored her but turned to Austin. “And I know about the gun in your desk drawer. Don’t even think about it.”

Jessie couldn’t stop looking at the barrel of Samantha’s gun. Was this the same gun she’d killed Paul King and his wife with?

“What do you want, Sam?” Jackson asked.

“The key to this door.” Samantha turned to Austin. “You’ve already got it in your hand.”

The stethoscope around the woman’s neck revealed how she’d known that. Jessie wondered how long she’d been listening at the door.

“Toss it over, Mr. Wilde. Gently.”

Austin glared at the crazy girl but still lobbed the key over.

Without a word, Samantha jerked Jessie through the door into the hallway and shut it.

In a flash, she locked the door’s deadbolt with Austin’s key. “Move a muscle, and you’re dead.”