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Willingly.

Once I realized that Ainsley didn’t speak, I racked my brain with the sign language I had learned as a kid. Thankfully, I had practiced often and kept up on it as best I could, but it wasn’t something I let most know. Even my own brother didn’t know I knew ASL. But when Ainsley realized that we could communicate without her having to constantly use her phone, the hope dancing in her eyes made me realize that I had kept up on the language for a reason.

But her panic attack bothered me.

And the way Sammy looked at her, bothered me even more. Not because he wanted her. I knew he didn’t. He had someone already in mind, but he looked at Ainsley like she was beneath him. I didn’t know why. He had peculiar tastes when it came to sex. I only knew because I had walked in on him one too many times. I had seen women in all sorts of positions but one thing I had noticed over the years, he always kept his clothes on. It wasn’t something I questioned him about. Obviously, we were close but it was a line that neither of us crossed and we liked it that way.

A tap on the window pulled me from my thoughts. Sammy scowled, nodded once, and in not so many words, told me to hurry my ass up.

I looked down at Ainsley.

While she was pale, her cheeks held a glow that I found I wanted to explore and make the rest of her glow just the same.

Blood pulsed through my cock, making it jump the longer she stared up at me. Clearing my throat, I backed up. “It was nice meeting you, pet.”

Something flashed in her eyes at the term of endearment.

Proud of myself, I left the building and was met by my grumpy as fuck brother.

“Who is she?” he asked, following along beside me as we walked toward Jaron and Piper’s car.

“I just met her the same time you did,” I told him.

“You gonna hit that?”

I stopped, turning on him. “I don’thitwomen. That’s you.”

He rolled his eyes. “I don’t hit women either. Hitting involves punching and shit. Spanking is a different story.”

“Still considered hitting.” It didn’t if it was a kink and that was your thing, but he was pissing me off.

“It does not.” His scowl deepened. “Tell him, Jaron.”

Jaron chuckled, pulling Piper closer to his side. “I’m not saying shit.”

Piper looked between us. “As long as it’s consensual between all adult parties, who cares?”

“Exactly.” Sammy punched my shoulder. “That’s why Piper’s my favorite.”

It was my turn to roll my eyes then.

They laughed but I wasn’t feeling it. I loved Sammy. He was more than just my brother. He was my best friend. But he had become moodier over the past few months, and it affected everyone around him. I wasn’t sure what his deal was, but it was annoying as fuck.

While they continued talking, I looked back at the building. The Dove Project was a center to help human trafficking victims. While they sometimes helped domestic abuse victims as well, it was mostly for those who had survived being taken.

I couldn’t see Ainsley from where I was standing but I could sense her. Was this how it was with my parents? Were they attracted to each other right away? While it hurt to think about them, I’d heard over the years that my mom had started a rumor about herself to get my dad’s attention. Making a mental note to find out more, I turned back around.

“We should go.” Jaron cupped Piper’s stomach.

“I’m feeling like pasta.” Piper paled. “Wait, never mind.”

We laughed.

“We’ll find something to help settle your stomach, babe.” Jaron kissed the side of her head.

“I didn’t have morning sickness like this with Brynlee.” Piper shook herself, blowing out slow breaths. “It only lasted the first couple of months with her but this one has been nonstop and it’s kicking my ass.”

“It’s almost time,” Sammy reminded her. “And then you can go back to making more babies.”