Controlled Burn (Blackbridge Security 8)

We sit, silent and still for a long while, just enjoying each other’s company while waiting for the caffeine to kick in.

“You’re still on for this coming weekend, right?”

“Huh?” I ask because Kit asked the question while still staring at a spot on the floor rather than looking at whoever he’s directing the question to.

“My sister’s wedding,” Kit says. “You still coming?”

He must be talking to Brooks because this is the first I’ve heard of a wedding.

“I don’t know, man.”

Kit rolls his head on the sofa, and I feel just as drained.

“You promised, asshole.”

“That was months ago. Maybe I’m just not in the wedding kind of mood.”

“There’s cake,” Kit argues.

Brooks smiles, and I can tell he’s in a mood because it’s a devious smile. “Beth is so hot.”

Kit shrugs.

“Know who’s even hotter than your sister?”

Kit narrows his eyes, his brain finally catching up.

“Don’t,” Kit warns.

“Jules,” Brooks says, not heeding the warning.

I groan my annoyance with where this is going. I don’t have the energy to get up but staying in the same room when the shit hits the fan isn’t smart either.

“She still got that long, dark hair?”

“Brooks,” I grumble. “I’m too tired for this shit.”

Brooks holds his hand out in front of him, forming a fist as if he’s tugging on a woman’s hair as he rolls his hips. The energy he’s giving barely registers, but I know after another cup of coffee, he’ll be hip thrusting and making all sorts of lewd noises.

“What?” Brooks asks, his butt settling back on the sofa. “She’s smoking hot.”

“And you know Kit has been in love with her since he was a kid.”

“A teen,” Kit corrects. “And I’m not in love with her.”

“You’re not?” Brooks asks, seeing an opening. “Then you wouldn’t mind if I—”

“Do you want to die?” Kit snarls. “Stay the fuck away from her. In fact, don’t even worry about the wedding.”

“Oh, I’m going to the wedding.”

“Brooks,” I groan. “Leave him alone.”

“Leave who alone?” Wren asks, walking into the break area. “What are we talking about?”

“Jules Warren,” Brooks answers.

“Yeah? She still got that really long hair?”

Kit snarls at Wren as if the man is an actual threat when he has Whitney now.

Brooks cackles, happy to have someone else in the room to give Kit a hard time.

“You still haven’t sealed the deal on that?” Wren asks as he makes his way to the coffee pot.

“Why are you even here?” Kit asks, annoyance lacing his tone.

“I work here.”

“It’s Saturday,” Kit reminds him.

Wren shrugs.

“Whitney isn’t home, is she?” I ask, knowing if his woman was at home, that’s where he’d be right now.

“She went to visit Sarah this weekend,” Wren says, and even tired, I can hear the disappointment in his tone.

“The Domme?” Brooks asks. “Are they hitting any special clubs this weekend?”

Wren looks less than impressed with the man’s questions, so he doesn’t bother answering.

Sarah Revone is Whitney’s best friend who lives in California. I know Sarah was instrumental in helping Wren win Whitney over after she took off. They had a big fight over a box of sex toys Wren intercepted and never returned. It seems the massive amount of stalking he did to put himself in Whitney’s way wasn’t the best plan of action. But he won the girl over in the end.

“Quit antagonizing everyone,” I mutter.

“But it’s so much fun,” Brooks says in a whiny tone. “Speaking of fun, how’s it going with the single mom?”

I shake my head. “I’m not getting into it with you.”

“You’re no fun,” Brooks chides.

“I’m not sticking around for this,” Wren says, carrying his cup of coffee toward his office.

“Is it true?” Brooks asks a few minutes later.

“Is what true?”

“That single moms are great at sex and have the best snacks in the fridge?”

“It’s his fridge, you idiot,” Kit reminds him.

“That’s right! She’s living with you. Hey, where are you going?”

I flip a middle finger over my shoulder as I walk toward Wren’s office.

“Asshole!” Puff screams the second I push the door open.

Evie squawks and flies to the other side of the room.

“Were they just—”

“Cuddling?” Wren asks. “Yes. They act like they hate each other but I find them snuggled together every damn morning.”

“Dick,” Puff Daddy snaps as he flies to the same perch Evie is standing on. “Don’t worry, baby. He won’t tell anyone.”

“Unhand me you fool!” Evie screams.

I chuckle and take a seat in the other office chair. “I need you to tell me about Kendall.”

“I don’t know anything about Kendall,” Wren says with his back to me.

“You know everything about everyone.”

“Not true,” he argues, but he’s smiling about my compliment when he spins around to face me.

“I’m watching the woman’s kids at night while she’s serving greasy food. I need to know more about her.”

“They serve food at The Kitten’s Cream now?”

My eyes narrow, and he snaps his lips closed.