Page 57

This feels nice. Special. Like in the midst of all the crazy, we can find times like this to let the stress roll off our backs and explore our feelings for one another.
“I really didn’t think that was going to happen when I came in this morning. I mean, I’ve jacked off to it. About every night, but—”
I put my hand over his mouth. “Don’t ruin it,” I tease, even though there’s nothing he could do to ruin this moment. It’s because of who he is that I’m even standing right here naked in front of him. He appeals to my dark, sarcastic side. The gray area, if you will. Brawler’s mostly light. Johnny? It’d be so easy to classify him as dark, but I’m not sure that’s the truth yet.
Magnum’s face filters through my brain, but I push it back. He’s made enough insinuations about my age that I don’t think that’s where our relationship is headed. Don’t get me wrong, I like him. The more I talk to him, the more his barrier walls come down, revealing the real him underneath. I’d be lying if I said he wasn’t easy on the eyes. Damn, I’m a greedy bitch.
Maybe I shouldn’t be thinking about being attracted to another, especially since one doesn’t know about the others, and when he finds out, it could mean the end of all of us.
23
Oscar and I are still staring at one another when a knock comes on the front door. A flash of fear rises inside me, but it dampens when I remember what time it is and what I should be doing on a Monday morning. “Shit. It’s probably Magnum.”
Oscar stands, pulling his pants up. He looks down at me as another knock comes. “You better get dressed.”
I grab panties and a bra and start to put them on as Oscar leaves the room, fastening his pants. I yank my panties on and just hook my bra when there’s a sound at the door. I freeze, but I don’t have time to do anything because Oscar comes stumbling back into the bedroom, almost falling on his ass.
“Where is she?”
My heart beats rapidly in my chest. Magnum peeks his head inside the room just as I pull the straps up on my bra, concealing my breasts. Not that he hasn’t seen me buck-naked before, but still. As soon as Magnum sees me, he sighs in relief. His gaze skirts lower, lower than it ever has, but then pops back up.
“Get the fuck out of her room,” Oscar growls. “She’s not dressed.”
A fierce look crosses Magnum’s face. He pushes Oscar up against the wall. “What the fuck were you thinking opening the door? And with her inside like this?” He holds his arm over Oscar’s trachea, the veins popping out on his forearm.
Oscar fumes. His nostrils flare while Magnum continues to pin him. I move forward, still in my panties and bra and grasp Magnum’s arm to pull him away. I don’t agree with his reaction, but he’s right. “We’re sorry.”
Magnum lets go just enough so that Oscar pushes him the rest of the way off. “We’re not fucking sorry. How dare you come into her room?” Oscar’s trying to posture. He puffs his chest out, and his gaze narrows. I’m sure he’s forming an excuse in his head that he can give Magnum so the bodyguard doesn’t run to Johnny. Little does he know he doesn’t have to. At least, I’ve pretty much bet our lives that we don’t have to worry about Magnum turning us in. If I’m wrong, we’re all dead, eventually. But for now, Magnum has kept my relationships with Oscar and Brawler a secret.
“Don’t be a fucking idiot,” Magnum growls. “I could have been anyone. You don’t think they’d be suspicious of you in Kyla’s apartment? You need to play this smart.”
Oscar looks at me, brows pulling together. I stand in the middle, looking between them both. I understand why Magnum is so upset. It was stupid of Oscar to get the door. What was he going to say he was doing? Especially since I was in here practically naked. It wouldn’t look good for us at all. But Oscar deserves an explanation. “So, Magnum knows about you, Brawler, and me.”
Oscar’s dark eyes round in surprise, but then he shuts off, his face becoming dark. “First, it’s you and me, and you and Brawler. It’s not all three of us. Second, what the fuck?” He eyes Magnum warily.
“He won’t say anything.”
“And why’s that?” Oscar asks, not even attempting to look at me anymore. He’s glaring straight at Magnum as if he’s trying to intimidate him. “Why would you keep this a secret?”
“You don’t need to know why. All you need to know is that I’ve done so, and I’ll continue to do so.”
Oscar shakes his head. His badass Oscar “Bat” Drego attitude is about to come out in full force. He doesn’t trust Magnum. “I don’t think so. That answer isn’t good enough. What is it?” He gets up in Magnum’s face. Magnum has an inch or so on him, but they’re about the same build. “You’re going to use this against her at some point, huh? You won’t live to do it. I can promise you that.”
“Whoa. Whoa,” I sputter out. When the threats start coming out, I need to act.
The look they’re sharing makes me think the sentiment goes both ways.
“I could say the same for you, Drego,” Magnum lilts, confirming my suspicions. He crosses his arms in front of his chest, taking on his bodyguard stance that’s ripe with testosterone. “You could be playing Kyla too.”
I glance between the two. I don’t think either of them are playing me. At least, I fucking hope not. Actually, no, I know they’re not. The way Oscar and I just came together doesn’t just happen with two people who don’t care about one another. Also, who would risk it? Johnny would likely cut his dick off just for touching me even if he was doing it to play me. Oscar’s a lot of things, but he’s smart and has a healthy dose of self-preservation. That’s just something you acquire when you grow up in the Heights.
“Alright, alright,” I say, trying to calm the two of them. “I trust both of you. Oscar, you probably shouldn’t be opening my door.”
Oscar’s jaw hardens. “And he shouldn’t just waltz into your room.” His pallor softens. “Unless…” He swallows. “Great. You fucking want her, too.” He pales. “Or you’ve already had her.”
“Oscar, come on,” I say, my face heating.
“I’m making sure she’s safe,” Magnum states. “That’s all.”