Page 138 of Forgotten Comeback

“Later,” he promises, kissing me where he now has a red stain on his lips.

“Aren’t you two sweet?” Effie says as I keep pace with her long strides.

“Yeah, that’s probably not the best word to describe us,” I tell her ruefully.

“Fair enough,” she says, leading me through the hall and into an office. “Please, sit.” She gestures, and I take a seat, with her sitting behind a desk. “Gavin’s vouched for you, but I still need you to look over and sign our NDA before we proceed.”

“I’ll handle things with Taylor. Effie, you’re needed in the petting zoo.” A cold voice has my skin prickling.

I turn to the door, my eyes going wide. It’s the man with gray eyes from my storage unit.

A tiny flicker of annoyance in Effie’s eyes—so tiny I’m not sure if I saw it—she says smoothly, “Sure thing, Inferno.” Turning her attention to me, she smiles politely. “Taylor, if you need anything tonight, just flag me down.”

“Thanks, Effie,” I say with a steady voice, even though I’m on edge.

Her heelsclick-clackdown the hall, and I turn to Gavin’s brother. “You were at my storage unit. Were you following me?”

He takes a seat, and I examine him. Something about his face is off, but I can’t put my finger on what exactly. “Why? Is there a reason I should have been following you?” Inferno counters.

Gavin’s brothers are twins, so maybe it was the other brother, John, and not this one. But either way, what are the odds? “No, and don’t deflect.”

He chuckles; it’s a strange, hollow sound. “NDA.” He slides a document across the desk.

I grab the contract, forcing my hands steady as I read through it.

No cellphones.

No photographs.

No asking guests their real names.

No talking about the club to outsiders.

And a bunch of other lawyer-sounding stuff. Even if I do like problems and not peace, I couldneverbe a lawyer. It sounds boring as hell.

“Pen?” He produces one, and I sign my name and return his pen. After an uncomfortable stretch of silence, I break it with a sigh. “Is this the part where you threaten me?”

He cocks his head. “Why would I threaten you?”

My arms crossed, I inform him, “No offense, but you’re giving off threatening vibes.”

“My apologies on the ‘vibes.’” He rises, motioning for the door. “This way.”

Gladly.

We walk down the hall, with me sneaking peeks of the man in my peripheral. He’s not as athletically built as Gavin, but I can see the family resemblance. Dressed sharply in a sleek black suit, it’s the gloves that are throwing me. It’s summer in AC, and nobody’s wearing gloves unless they’re committing a crime.

Maybe that’s it; he’s wearing them to hide his fingerprints at the crime scene. Or maybe he’s a germaphobe. Or maybe he’s just really freaking eccentric.

I sneak a full-on glance, my eyes lingering on his face. What is it that’s off?

“Yes?” He catches me staring.

“I’m not sure,” I admit. “Your profile is very?—”

“Threatening?”

“Interesting.” And yes, a little bit threatening. But I trust Gavin isn’t going to let his brother fuck with me.