Page 13 of Keeping Kasey (Love and Blood #3)

CHAPTER TEN

Kasey

If nothing else, one thing becomes very clear over the next two days.

Ford hates me.

My very existence seems to piss him off, and he hasn’t even attempted to hide it. I’d think he’s just irritable and snappy with everyone, but he’s perfectly pleasant while he and Kade plan out when they’ll be going to each base between the families.

Whatever. It’s not like he’s any worse than the tyrant that employs him.

I’ve never been closer to committing murder than I was in Logan’s office, and only half of my anger had to do with the animalistic marks across my collarbone.

The other half was furious with myself for the disappointment I felt when he pulled away.

I’ve always viewed satisfying that particular physical need just like any other—eating, sleeping, exercising. It’s just something everyone has to do.

I’ve never actually wanted someone.

And I’ve definitely never wanted someone enough to feel disappointed by their rejection. But when Logan had me up against the door with his lips adoring my skin, I wanted him.

I really wanted him.

And the disappointment hit like a kick to the stomach when I realized he was just playing more games.

His smugness didn’t last long before he realized the attention I could’ve given him was now going to his men.

It helps that the soldiers practically trip over themselves for my attention, seeing as I’m the only woman in this entire building aside from Elise—whose fiancé and brothers would slowly and savagely murder anyone who dared to so much as glance in her direction.

I should probably thank Logan for assigning Damon as my shadow; otherwise, I probably wouldn’t be comfortable flirting with the soldiers.

Damon has proven to be a surprisingly tolerable human. Based on his last name alone, I had low expectations, but the oldest Consoli isn’t so bad.

He’s a few inches taller than the twins, with an unrelenting spark in his eyes that adds an endearing edge to his wide smiles.

The broad build alone could be considered intimidating if it weren’t for the fact that he carries himself like a man without a single care in the world—so opposite of his brothers.

If the physical resemblance weren’t so prominent, I might wonder if Damon’s a Consoli at all.

I’m finishing up work for the day when Damon answers an incoming call, and I tune out his mumbling while packing up the last of my things.

“Kasey, Logan wants you in his office.”

“No thanks,” I toss over my shoulder.

“That’s not how this works, Goldie.”

I clench my teeth to stop myself from snapping at him. I made the mistake of giving him a reaction the first time he used the stupid nickname, and now he does it all the time.

“You can tell Logan I’m not coming,” I say before zipping my bag up and throwing it over my shoulder.

Damon leans back on the sofa and regards me with a bored look. “I’m not telling him that.”

“Then I’m sure he’ll get the memo when I don’t show up.” I look to Kade. “Where’s Elise?”

Kade seems to be close to Donovan, who has been glued to Elise’s side every time I’ve seen her over the last few days.

He checks his watch, sending a wary glance at Damon before saying, “She and Don were meeting with James about the wedding guest list. They might be done now.”

I flash Damon a sweet smile. “Let’s go.”

I don’t wait for his answer—or rather, his argument—and start toward James’s office.

“You’re being difficult on purpose,” Damon snaps when he catches up with me—not a difficult feat since his legs are practically twice the size of mine.

“Do you ever get tired of doing whatever he tells you to?”

“Do you ever get tired of arguing with every single thing someone says to you?” he shoots back, and nothing in his reaction hints that I hit a nerve.

I figured Damon might harbor resentment toward Logan, who stepped into the role that was his birthright, but I haven’t found any evidence of that yet. Damon’s face—more angular than his siblings—is set in an easy yet daunting smile, like he knows what I’m doing.

“It’s a better alternative to being the mindless servant of an egotistical tyrant,” I bait.

“Not if you trust the tyrant .”

I stop walking and turn to Damon, who nearly runs into me at the sudden stop. “And you trust Logan?”

“With my life.”

Either Damon has an inhuman level of humility that makes him genuinely believe his younger brother is better qualified to be family boss—which seems highly unlikely—or there’s more to the story that no amount of research could uncover.

I’m ready to ask more questions, but a lyrical voice cuts in before I can.

“Hi, Kasey!” Elise greets with a smile so wide I wonder if it hurts.

Damon’s grin comes naturally as he greets his sister and nods to Donovan, who is once again at Elise’s side.

A strange feeling twists my stomach—not for the first time when watching Elise interact with her brothers.

This time, I recognize it for what it is: jealousy.

I never felt like being an only child deprived me of any meaningful experiences, but watching how the Consoli brothers so openly adore their sister has made me wonder what it would be like to have siblings—or any family—show that level of admiration and devotion to me.

“What are you up to?” she asks.

“Actually, I was looking for you,” I tell her. “Can you take me back to the manor?”

“She’s trying to avoid Logan,” Damon supplies monotonously.

I glare at him but don’t contradict the statement.

“Then I’d be happy to,” Elise says through a laugh.

I can feel Damon’s scowl shift from me to her. “You know I’m the one who gets chewed out for this, right?”

“Not my fault you’re on babysitting duty,” I say with a shrug and look at Elise. “You ready now? Kane’s been inside all day, and he needs more time out.”

“I’ll drive.” She pulls a key chain from her pocket and spins it around her finger.

Donovan’s lips pull into a tight smile. “Moreno and I have a few more things to take care of before we go. Let Damon take Kasey back.”

“The only place I’m taking her is Logan’s office,” Damon says, earning a charged look from Donovan that communicates more than his words did.

“It’s not a big deal,” she says. “I’ll meet Joshua at the house tonight.”

“It would leave Mr. Moreno without a car,” Donovan adds, and Elise’s brow furrows.

“Why wouldn’t you drive him later?”

His pause is long enough for both of us to decipher the answer.

Donovan was ordered to stay with Elise.

And I’m willing to bet his orders were specific to keep her from being alone with me .

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she mutters.

I don’t have time to wonder if Elise will respect Moreno’s orders before she turns her back to Donovan and links her arm with mine.

The sudden and unwelcome touch sparks a wave of irritation, but since it’s her version of a middle finger to the family bosses—who are already on my last nerve—I allow it.

“Let’s get out of here,” she says, and for the first time, I’m glad to have her around.

Riding back to the manor with Elise sounded infinitely better than facing Logan in his office, but we’re barely a mile from the base—with Donovan and Damon tailing us—when I realize I’ve made the wrong choice.

“So, what’s happening with you and my brother?” she asks, ever so innocently.

I know better than to let surprise show, but damn if she hasn’t caught me off-guard. I have no idea what she thinks she knows, so I play it casual.

“What do you mean?”

She shoots me a dry look. “You and Logan.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“How about the make-out session I interrupted the other day? Or the hickeys you’re still trying to hide? Or that you only flirt with other guys when Logan’s around? Were you trying to be discreet?”

There’s no point in hiding my surprise now. Clearly Elise has been paying attention.

“Your brother is insufferable,” is all I offer her.

“That’s not news.”

I’m not sure what to say now, but I’d rather gain information than give it away, so I ask, “Who else knows?”

“Just me. None of the capos would catch on to this sort of thing.” When I remain silent, she groans. “You’re seriously not going to tell me anything?”

For some reason, I feel a stab of guilt at that. If nothing else, I suppose giving me a ride earns her some level of honesty.

“There’s nothing to tell,” I say. “I can barely stand being in the same room as him.”

“He takes some getting used to.”

“I don’t plan on sticking around long enough to get used to anything.”

“The contract is for three months, right?”

I shrug. “Technically, but it won’t take me that long.”

She laughs, and the sound is melodic. “It’s making more sense now.”

Don’t take the bait.

Do not take the bait.

“What?”

“You and Logan,” she says, a smile pulling her lips. “You’re both egomaniacs.”

“I don’t have an ego—I have skill. Your brother is nothing without his army behind him.”

“And what are you without your laptop?”

The jab lands, but all it does is piss me off.

She must see that because she backtracks. “All I’m saying is there’s more to Logan than you’ve seen.”

The statement is absurd enough to make me smile, even if sardonically.

“I’m sure deep, deep, deep , down Logan is a swell guy, but that doesn’t change anything. I’m not interested in him like that.”

“And how are you interested in him?”

How do you tell a girl you want a no-strings-attached fling with her hot brother—without sounding like a shallow slut?

It’s a challenge I avoid.

“As a paying customer,” I tell her.

With that, the conversation is over—but Elise’s knowing half-smile lingers for the rest of the drive.