Trouble Travels in Threes (Trouble, Tennessee 3)

“No, Markie. You aren’t,” Draegan said, feeling more at ease the second Mac and Harley lifted Markie up and carried the lightweight away.

“Yes! I am!” He twisted and turned one way or the other until he was hanging upside down. “Remember? Serena thinks we tag team. She said so herself. She’ll expect to see me at your side tonight!”

“I don’t think so

,” Harley said, laughing.

“She will! Ask Drae!” He leaned back as far as he could and yelled, “I’m tellin’ ya now, sugar. She’ll slam the door in your face if I’m not with you tonight. She thinks you and I go together like….like…”

“Put him down so he can think, Mac,” Harley said.

“Don’t bother,” Draegan said, standing behind them. “I’ve already set her straight, Markie.”

“What?” Markie looked bewildered as Draegan’s brothers carried him to the front hall and down the circular stairs. “No! I’m telling you. Serena. Thinks. We’re. Together.”

Draegan leaned over the banister and waved, taunting Markie to the very end. “She knows we’re like brothers. I explained everything to her.”

Mac and Harley dumped Markie in the foyer. Clearly agitated, he scrambled to his feet and put his hands on his waist. “And just why in Harley’s name would you do somethin’ so doggone foolish?”

Harley laughed. “I guess he was afraid you’d follow him to the bedroom.”

“And what, pray tell, is wrong with that?” Markie shifted his shoulders and stood straighter. “For your information, Serena is a sweet and fragile young woman.” He glared at Mac before he turned to Harley. “She is the kind of young lady who needs to be handled with care.” He wheeled around and faced Draegan again and barked, “And for the love of Allister, the least you could do is let me be there when you make your first move!”

“What’s Allister got to do with this?” Draegan asked, crossing his arms.

“See there?” Markie grinned and jiggled his upper body. “Throw out the devil’s name and everybody stops and stares.”

“I’m sure Allister would appreciate the comparison.” Draegan had heard enough for one day.

“Wait right there,” Harley said, a taunting edge to his voice. “I want to hear this.”

“I agree.” Mac snickered. “Why would Draegan need you around if he’s planning to haul the little Miss off to the bedroom?”

The door slammed behind them and Draegan jerked to attention. “Oh hell.” His heart sank the moment he saw her because there wasn’t a doubt in his mind. She’d heard Mac’s last words. “Damn it.” He hung his head, cursed a few times, and finally lifted his gaze, aware of everyone else now staring at him, including one miffed woman who didn’t seem quite as amused as Harley and Mac.

“Draegan.” Serena brushed her strawberry-blonde locks away from her slender shoulder with one sweep of her hand. “Is this true?”

Markie sighed dramatically. “Drae?” He thinned his lips and jerked his head in Serena’s direction. “She’s waitin’ for answers, sugar.”

“Markie! I’ve got this.” He rushed down the steps and grabbed Serena’s hand, vaguely aware of the fact that he was only dressed in his thin mint-green boxers.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Serena resisted. “I’m fine where I stand.”

“You may be, but I’m not okay with leaving you in their care.” Stubborn woman. “I’m taking you upstairs before these idiots fill your pretty little head with nonsense.”

Markie waggled his brows. “I taught him that line.”

Damn him.

Draegan loosened his grip and held out his arm. “Serena, please. You can wait upstairs in the spare bedroom.”

“Our brother has a thing for bedrooms, in case you’re wondering,” Mac teased.

“On that note, I’ll wait down here.” She took a step back.

Draegan persisted. “I’m afraid if you do, you and I won’t make it out the door tonight.”

“Based on what I just heard and how you’re dressed? Apparently that was the idea all along.”