“That’s great!”

His beard tickles my face as he embraces me. “Bye, dollface,” he says before returning to the back to finish cleaning.

I hail down a taxi so I can ambush the guys at Logan’s while they’re working out in his home gym. My ire rises the longer I sit in the backseat, thinking about last night’s events.

I pace the lobby as I wait for the elevator. I won’t be surprised if I leave an indentation in the hardwood floor from pacing back and forth in the same spot. I wish that I had restraint over my temper, but there’s no use. I’m crackling with anger. I’m thankful that all three of them work out together.

I march into his foyer, making my presence known when I shout for my brother. I hear him hastily coming down the stairs. I lean against the wall while I wait for him.

He holds his hands up in surrender. “Look, that wasn’t my idea. I didn’t even know you were going to be there when we left.”

I fold my arms over my chest. “Really? You expect me to believe that you, my overprotective brother, who needs help I might add, didn’t know I was going to be there with Kohen? Oh please, Logan, give me some credit, this has your name written all over it! I can’t believe that you would allow Jax to go this far.”

He grins even wider now. “Come on, Addie, you know I wouldn’t actually crash your date. I do have limits.”

“Yeah, the only limit you have is not putting a GPS tracker in me.”

“Only because that would be illegal.”

I shove him hard but he doesn’t move so I punch him in the shoulder. “OH MY GOD! You’re unbelievable! I’m mad at you.”

“Yes, but not for long, you can never be mad at your favorite brother, remember.” I hate that he’s right I’m not mad at him anymore. “Honestly, though, Addie, it wasn’t my idea. Jax said he wanted pizza and was out the door before I could even finish opening it. The only choice I had was to follow. Besides, it’s not like I knew you were going to be there. I was just as surprised as you.”

“You really didn’t know?” I ask, my temper gone. Well, more on a low simmer until I find Jax.

“If I knew you were going to be there with a date, I wouldn’t have gone. I truly do have limits, not much of them, but I still have them.”

“Right, you draw the line at tracking devices.”

“Because they’re illegal,” he says with a chuckle. “This all could have been avoided if you just told me about the date.”

My anger is nearly nonexistent until my dear brother opens his fat mouth again. “You have to admit, it was pretty hilarious that we crashed your date though.” He actually fucking laughs as if it’s funny. I’m not laughing. “The way you ‘accidentally’ poured wine all over Jax.” More snickering. “The kick to the shin was a little much though, sis.”

And just like that I’m fuming all over again.

“A little much? A little much!” I shout. “Do you know how stupid I felt with you guys there? You’re the one who makes such a big deal about me ‘living my life again’ and when I finally start to, you crash my fucking date. The first date I’ve had in SIX YEARS LOGAN! SIX YEARS! Do you even get how monumental this was for me? And you’re fucking laughing right now?”

Logan attempts to rein himself in by biting his cheek to not make it obvious. He’s used to my tantrums by now, but still. This is not a laughing matter. Granted, it wasn’t his idea to crash my date, but he could have insisted on leaving once he realized what Jax’s master plan was.

I snap my mouth shut. I’m lashing out at the wrong person. My brother doesn’t deserve my wrath. I should be upset that they crashed my date, but I’m more upset that my plan didn’t work. I wanted Jax to be seething in jealousy and he couldn’t even give me that. No, that jerk was just messing with my head for his own amusement. Why did I have to fall for The God?

Out in the corridor, the elevator doors slide open. Perfect timing.

When Connor comes into view, I storm up to him, push him as hard as I can in his chest and snap, “YOU!”

Connor eyes widen and he swallows loudly. “Yeah, I kind of deserve that.”

I throw up my hands in frustration. “I don’t understand how you could possibly think it would be okay to crash my date . . . a date you talked me into.”

“You talked her into going?” Jax’s demanding tone bounces off the walls as he comes to a stop next to Connor.

I glare at the man that used to tell me all of his secrets. Jax shakes his head and continues to stroll into the in-home gym.

“Really? You think you can just walk away from me after last night?” I demand as I follow him.

He ignores me as he sets down his bag by the door. I can’t help but stare as he slides off his shirt and begins to stretch. If it’s a tactic to distract me, it almost works. The only reason it doesn’t is because I know we won’t be alone for long. I can’t allow Logan to notice anything between Jax and I. Jax is already punching the bag without his hands wrapped when Connor and Logan come in.

I move towards Jax. “You really have nothing to say to me?”

He doesn’t take his eyes off the black bag.

“Fine!” I shout as I move in front of him, right as his clenched fist flies toward me.

His fist freezes a breath away from my face. His gaze finally meets mine. I kind of wish he wasn’t looking at me anymore. He’s pissed. He grinds his teeth together. Logan and Connor are yelling at my stupidity, but I ignore them. I knew Jax would stop, he wouldn’t hurt me physically, no he saves his torture for the emotional games he plays with me.

“WHAT THE FUCK IS A MATTER WITH YOU! I could have hit you!” he spits out as he pushes me out of the way.

I shrug. “I got your attention.

“Whatever,” he says under his breath and moves to do pull-ups.

I hate that I have to force myself to be aloof around him. His muscles tighten with each lift, beckoning my eyes to follow the movement. I shake my head and march over to Connor and Logan who are doing crunches on the red mat.

“I’m leaving.” I hover over them.

Connor nods. “Jax has been in a weird mood all day, ignore him.”

“Fully intend to.”

Logan stands and hugs me. “I’ll pick you up at eight.”

I look at him, confused. “Eight?”

He and Connor sigh. “The ball.”

“Right. Okay I’ll meet you in the lobby.”

Crap, the stupid ball . . . the ball that I don’t have a dress for yet. The same ball that Jax will be attending. I swallow the uneasiness that is starting to take over. I do not want to see him tonight.

I flip Jax off as I fling open the door. Just because I have to be nice to him tonight doesn’t mean I can’t get out all of my hostility now.

“Wait, Ads,” he says as he rushes to his discarded bag. I ignore him.

I stride out of the penthouse and towards the elevator, hoping that he doesn’t follow. He does. The doors slide open. I hit the ‘L’ button then repeatedly hit the ‘Close doors’ button. I sigh in relief when they shut in Jax’s stunned face. It isn’t until I’m outside, breathing fresh air, that I realize he was bearing a white box in his hand. Whoops, I hope that wasn’t an apology. Too late to find out.

“Ads! Wait!” he shouts, out of breath, as he storms outside where I’m trying to hail a cab.

Crap!

“What do you want?” I ask without turning around.

He steps around me. “This is for you.”

By the time I glance up from the white box in my hands to Jax, he’s gone, running back inside. Leaving me. Typical. I shake my head as I open it. I gasp when I see the most beautiful mask I’ve ever seen, in the most vibrant turquoise I have laid eyes on. Shades of gold, blues, and green twirl around the entire mask with a gold trim. Satin ribbon of the same shades weave together along the top of the mask. The deep blue feathers above the right eye remind me of the ocean. Without even putting it on, I know how well it will complement my complexion.