“Shit, fuck!” he curses, standing to full height. “Fine,” he says before hanging up.

“What?” I ask when he bends to find his jeans.

“My brother is coming over.” He steps into them and pulls them up his legs.

“What’s the time?” I ask, searching the floor for my panties and dress.

“Just after five. We drifted off.” He picks up my bra and throws it to me. I take a calming breath, knowing I’m not going to be late for Paige’s birthday dinner.

“I really should get going, too.” I adjust my clothes then start on my shoes.

“Yeah, preferably before Jackson gets here,” he mumbles.

“Sure, okay,” I say, ignoring the sting of him not wanting me to be seen by Jackson.

“Not like that.” He reaches out and pulls me into his chest. “I mean, the asshole has already warned me off you. I don’t need his shit.”

“Jackson warned you off me?” I ask and start to laugh.

“Yeah, the asshole seems to be protective over you.” He takes my hand and walks us to his door. I’m ready to leave, and as much as I know have to go, I don’t want to.

“It’s sweet.” I shrug, as we walk down the hall to where everyone still sits around.

“Sweet my ass,” Jesse grumbles, ignoring his friends once again, and heading for the front door. I hold back and say goodbye to Holly and Xzavier.

“Bye,” I whisper kissing X’s cheek.

“Girl, we need a girls’ night. Drinks and talking. Lots of talking,” Holly whispers in my ear when she says goodbye. I nod, agreeing, hoping I can develop a stronger relationship with Jesse’s friends.

“Bye, guys.” I wave to the rest of the club and walk toward Jesse. He doesn’t say anything, just takes my hand and walks me to my car.

“Thanks for being there for me today, Jesse,” I say when we come to a stop.

“Always, sweetheart.” He leans down and kisses me gently. I let the touch of his lips linger before pulling back. “I’ll call you later,” he says, telling me our normal nighttime chats won’t end.

“Okay.” I go up on my toes reaching my mouth to his. He has to bend to receive it, and a thrill runs through me when he does. He glides his tongue along my lips, and I give him access only for him to pull back at the sound of a car horn.

“Fucking hell,” he grinds out, then steps back. I turn and watch Detective Jackson pull up beside me. Jesse steps back again, putting more distance between us.

“Hi, Jackson,” I greet him when he exits his car, angry eyes trained on Jesse.

“Hi, Bell. How have you been?” He steps up to us, his eyes leaving Jesse’s a short while to address me, but they track back to him almost immediately.

“Good. Really good.” I clutch my keys, eager to get out of Jackson’s stare. “Okay, I really should get going. I’ll speak to you later.” I smile at Jesse, wishing I could kiss him properly one more time, but feeling the tension between Jesse and Jackson, I know not to push it.

“Drive safe.” Jesse nods, his happy smiling face replaced with a stony stare.

“I will.” I wave and get in my car. The boys don’t move from their positions, Jesse’s eyes trained on mine, Jackson’s on Jesse. I back out slowly, and then turn, keeping my eyes ahead, hoping whatever is about to go down, isn’t over me.

Something tells me it is.

Nineteen JESSE

“What are you doing here?” I ask my brother as I watch Bell drive off. I’m annoyed she had to go, and I’m pissed Jackson fucking ruined our goodbye. I wanted her to stay, even if the boys were going to give me shit. I was enjoying having her in my bed, but she had to get back for dinner. I know her situation is fucked up. I know her family are dealing with their own shit, but keeping their twenty-three-year-old on a tight leash is seriously messed up.

“What the fuck are you doing with her, Jesse?” he starts on me. I wait till Bell’s car takes the corner before I walk back inside the club. Jackson stays close behind me. “You’re in too deep here, Jesse,” he adds when I don’t answer. “Are you even listening to me, fucker?” He taps me over the head when I stop at the bar.

“What?” I ask, rubbing the side of my head letting him have his play.

“Hey, Jackson.” Holly comes to stand by me to greet him.

“Hey, Holly, how are you?” He asks and it’s my chance to get away from him. I walk over to the pool table and set up for a solo game.

“I’m good. Really good.” She replies as I continue to set up.

“How are your mom and dad?” Holly asks as I take my first shot, but block out Jackson’s reply. I know whatever is happening with Mom and Dad is the reason he’s here tonight. I for one don’t give one fuck right now. They talk for a few minutes as I continue with my game.

“Jesse, we’re doing pizza for dinner, you down?” Holly interrupts my train of thought as I work on sinking my fifth ball.

“Yeah,” I say as the ball rolls into the top right-hand pocket.

“Shame Bell couldn’t stay.” She taps the side of the table before leaving to sit back with Sy and X over on the sofa.

“Bell was in a rush to head off?” Jackson moves closers and my hopes of letting this go flies out the window.

“It’s Paige’s birthday. Family does a dinner every year.” I shrug and take another shot.

“You’re fucking falling for her.”

“Who?” I act dumb. He’s right but I’m not about to let him know it.

“You’ve been spending a lot of time with her.” I look up from the table wanting to know how he knows who I’ve been spending my time with.

“How the fuck do you know what I’ve been doing?” I glare, but we both know he’s not going to answer. “Is there a reason you’re here, Jackson?” I move on, taking my last shot and sinking the eight ball.

“You’re gonna regret it.” He answers with another jab as I begin to set up another game. “You and I both know how this will pan out, Jesse. Why do you want to hurt her?”

“You have no idea what the fuck you are talking about, big brother.” I finally look up. I’m fucking done with this conversation and more importantly done with Jackson thinking he knows me.

“You fucking will. You think you’re being smart, getting mixed up with her, but what’s going to happen when you’ve had your fill? What are you going to do then? You’ll fucking break her.” He says everything I think about daily. I keep my face blank. I don’t need him knowing he’s hitting me low. “You’re not what she needs.”

“Are you fucking done?” My fist comes down on the side of the table. Holly and Sy stop talking and look over our way. “You don’t think I know this, Jackson?” Jackson’s hand comes to my shoulder, but I don’t need him trying to calm me. “Fuck off.” I shake him off and move around the table away from him.

“You okay, Jesse?” Sy stands, Holly following him closely.

“I’m good.” I nod, not needing everyone in on my shit. He returns my nod and tells Holly to follow him outside, giving us the space we need. Not that it will fucking help. If Jackson keeps pushing me, I’ll lose my shit and my brothers will all see it go down.

“You don’t talk about her to me again. You understand me? My fucking business, big brother.” I level my glare at him, urging him to push me.

“Fuck! Fine! What about Dad then? You ready to talk about that?” He moves on to another situation I don’t want to talk about. Not today. Not tomorrow.

“No and don’t ask me again. Is this all you came here for tonight? To bust my balls?” I ask him and go back to my game.

“What are you going to do when he dies?” His hand snakes out, scooping up the cue ball as it rolls past him.

“I don’t have time to think about that, Jackson. I’ve got a lot on my mind.” I brush it off. I never want to think about it again.