Page 65 of A Lethal Game of Trust

Issy was oblivious, staring half-dazed at the TV or playing Mario Kart on her Switch as her brother ran his thumb up my thigh in reassurance.

Clearly, he thought he was helping, but I was on edge. My gaze darted to Issy with nearly every stroke.

He texted me and my phone dinging made me cringe.

ANSWER: You’re practically sweating.

LEONIE: You’re too close.

Dom looked down at me with concern and then typed a quick response.

ANSWER: I’ll go.

He got up and I went to protest before slamming shut my mouth as Is looked up from her game.

“I think I’m going to head out,” he announced, taking both of our empty plates to the sink. “I’ll wash up when I’m back.”

“Cool,” Issy said as I blabbed, “Where are you going?”

“Probably see Anton,” he said, placing them in the sink. “Got some turf issues that need to be rectified without him getting trigger-happy too soon.”

I’d have to ask Rocco about that.

But he’d saidprobably. So he had no actualplans.

He showered and, unlike me, walked to my room in just his towel, his cat rushing after him to lick the droplets off his ankles. I busied myself with my phone, looking down so I didn’t want to get on my knees and do the same as Ghost. Because, damn, I could. His muscular body had me in a chokehold. I wanted to get out a rope and climb him.

When he returned, he was dressed for the summer weather: baseball cap, t-shirt and shorts. All black.

I would still get out my ropes and carabiners.

“Right,” he said, grabbing a rucksack I hadn’t even noticed in my room. “I’ll be off then.” He glanced my way.

“Bye,” Is said, eyes closed, nestled into a cushion. She’d guzzled the rest of the juice carton while Dom got ready and she was now in a sugar coma.

“Bye,” I said and gave the most awkward wave of my life.

He pursed his lips, trying not to laugh at me, then brought his palm to them and blew a kiss my way.

I rolled my eyes, all awkwardness gone.

“Go!” I mouthed.

As the door closing shook the wall slightly, Issy groaned. “He can never just do something. He’s got to be extreme. Just close the door, don’t slam it.” She let out a deep sigh and pressed her palm to her forehead. “Why are you wearing that?” she asked without opening her eyes.

I looked down at myself. I was wearing a baggy top and lycra gym shorts. “Why am I wearing what?”

“The tiniest shorts in the world,” she said with a laugh. “Roc never trains you on Sundays. Are you going to the gym?”

“I might do some pilates in my room,” I told her. I had a gym mat somewhere in this flat.

“It’s got nothing to do with your revived friendship with Dom, right?”

“I don’t follow,” I said. “We did talk about the gym yesterday and he said he could show me the ropes.”

“He’ll show you more than just the ropes,” she mused and gave a small chuckle. “He’ll break your heart, Leo. Don’t go anywhere near him. He’s my brother. I’d hate for a man to come between us. We’re better than that.”

We were, but fury had me bolting upright at her accusation. “Sorry, Issy, I must misunderstand you. Because you threwus together last night when you left with the guy that I was talking to! No heartbreaking is going on, but your suspicions are only because of your actions. You left the two of us, forced us to spend time together and don’t expect us to become friends?”