Dirty Princes (Hot Candy 3)

Holy shit. I’d slide down all the way to the floor, but my back jolts me and I wince, straightening as best I can. “Where?”

“You shouldn’t be up,” he says, brows knitted, and takes my arm.

I jerk it free, stumbling away from him, and curse out loud at the pain.

Ryan rubs both hands over his face. “Jesus, Rid. I just want to help you back to bed.”

I contain my anger with an effort. He did this for me, found my brother. I shouldn’t spoil it by punching his lights out. “Where. Is. He?”

Ryan pulls out his phone. “I’ll give you the num

ber of the rehab center.”

“He’s… in rehab?”

Ryan nods. “He was staying with a girl at first, but then decided to sign himself into a state-run rehab center.” He looks up, his green eyes wary. “I talked to him. He says he didn’t want to come back before he was clean. He looks up to you, Rid.”

I snort derisively and stagger to the sofa, lower myself down before my legs give out for good. “Yeah, sure. Whatever.” I lean back, rubbing my back and grimacing. “You talked to him.”

He steps inside, cell phone in hand. “Here is the number. I’ll send it to you. Call and ask for him.”

I nod. “Send me the fee of the PI, too. I’ll pay you back as soon as I can.”

My voice cracks on the last word, and I swallow hard.

He puts his phone away and shoves his hands into the pockets of his tailored pants. He has a deep crease between his brows and dark smudges under his eyes. “There’s no need.”

“No, there’s every fucking need.” Just like that, I’m angry again. “I don’t wanna owe you.”

He winces. “You don’t. I promise.”

“Easy for you to say.”

He opens his mouth, then seems to think better of it. He looks away. “Brylee been taking care of you?”

I shut my mouth and clench my jaw against the words that want out.

“She’s good for you. She’s—”

“You’re a bastard, R.” I try to get up and fall back down on the cushions. “She loves you. I love you. How do you think…?” I shake my head, struggle for calm. “Get the hell out.”

His breath comes out in a grunt, and he actually takes a step back and presses a hand to his chest, as if I punched him.

Good. I wish I could punch him right now.

“Rid…”

“Get out, now.”

His gaze meets mine, and the shine of unshed tears in his eyes stuns me for a moment. What the hell is going on?

Then he turns around and walks out, closing the door behind him, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Bittersweet Licorice Sticks

Ryan