Jonah Bennett (Bennett Mafia)

My throat felt scratchy. “Promise?”

My head whirled. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked that, but I needed some reassurance I’d be taken home.

I wanted Jonah, but I also wanted nothing more than to curl up in my bed at my parents’ house, where I’d grown up.

His eyes darkened. “Promise.”

I nodded, feeling a little steadier, but not much.

Jonah led me back inside, and I glanced over my shoulder as we went.

The older brother hadn’t moved, and his eyes hadn’t left us either. As I looked, our gazes caught and held. I felt it deep inside—a warning—and I gripped Jonah’s hand more firmly before steeling myself and forcing myself to turn back around.

I didn’t like giving him my backside, but in this moment, there was no way around it.

I also felt like he was aware of every emotion and thought running through my head, and he found them amusing.

Chapter Twenty-Five

JONAH

I didn’t like the way any of them were watching Carson.

She was a new enigma to Kai. She was a new toy for Tanner. And Brooke… I spared a look up from the counter. I had no idea.

I’d expected some reaction from her when I came in holding hands with Carson, when I informed Brooke I’d be making the dinner.

There was none. Normal Brooke would’ve been throwing attitude. She tended to come off as spoiled, though she wasn’t. It was mostly a wall to manage strangers. Instead, she barely gave Carson a look, stepping to the side and refilling her wine glass.

She and Tanner were at the kitchen island now, working on their second bottle. Both were quiet. Kai leaned against the counter, on his phone. He’d been on it since I’d started cooking. I’d taken whatever Brooke had been making off the stovetop—I had no clue what it was—drained the water and tossed it in the garbage.

Carson stood next to me, helping. Head down. Quiet. She stuck close to my side.

She was smart.

“So…” Tanner refilled his wine as he broke the silence in the room. “Carson.”

I felt her tense, straightening next to me where she’d been cutting vegetables for the sub sandwiches. She glanced at me, still staying close.

He finished pouring and put the glass back down, with a little extra thump.

I flicked the burner to simmer, covered the dish, and turned to face him as well.

Brooke looked away, her eyes glazed and her fingers clenched tight around the glass.

Kai’s gaze was firmly on Brooke.

Tanner smiled at Carson, looking a bit predatory. “When I left, you and Jonah weren’t getting along.” He picked his glass up, motioning between us. “Now I’m noticing a closeness that wasn’t there before. Care to elaborate?”

Carson stiffened and took a breath.

“I’m sorry, but I hated Melissa,” Brooke cut in.

My heart dipped, and I whirled to look at her.

Carson gripped my arm, and I frowned at her, but she looked only at Brooke.

Tanner snorted. “Tell us how you really feel.”

“I don’t mean to talk bad about her, since she’s dead, but—”

“No,” Tanner said. “Please do. I didn’t care for her either. I’m riveted.”

I gave him a look. “I didn’t know that.”

He shrugged. “You were banging. I didn’t think it’d be serious. Then you broke up how many times? The engaged part—that threw me—but you were mourning. You still are, so I was quiet. But since Brooke is letting it out…” He gave another shrug.

Kai frowned, but he didn’t say anything.

Brooke’s eyes didn’t seem entirely focused. The alcohol was taking its toll. A tear slipped down her cheek. “You loved her, Jonah, but I didn’t like her. And I feel shitty saying that. I’m just…relieved, and how awful of a person does that make me? She would’ve been terrible for you. A girl knows. You and she were on and off, then back on, and I just had this dread about it. I know you, Jonah. You were feeling restless, looking for your place to fit in—but you fit in with us. You’re one of us. We—”

She broke off, turning to look out the window. Another tear trickled down her cheek. “She didn’t like not knowing your family, and I get that. That’s normal, but when I overheard your call with her, I had this horrible, horrible feeling, and now she’s dead, and I’m grateful and that makes me the worst. And if anyone felt that way about my little girl, I’d want to murder them. Melissa has a mom, and I’m trying to think of her, but…” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “All I can feel is that my little brother won’t be lost to us anymore.”

“Brooke.” I started to go to her, but again, Carson held me back, still watching Brooke.

“I’m sorry she’s gone,” Brooke continued. “I really am, and I know it’s because of our family, but I’m still so relieved. I had a feeling she was going to take you away from us, maybe turn you against us, and I didn’t know how I was going to handle that.” She began to cry in earnest.