Page 53 of Painkiller (Sin Records #3)

A few kids run around the house, laughing loudly, while others stay in the den that Graham and Jagger converted into an indoor playground.

In the formal living room, everyone talks and mingles.

Members of the biggest rock band in the world laugh as if it’s just another Sunday.

Business titans chase kids around the place as if nothing but their joy is valuable.

Women who aren’t intimidated in the least by the success of the men in their lives—many who’ve forged their own paths—toss warning glares when the adults become louder than the children, making me smile when a couple of them duck their heads like scolded kids while others toss flirtatious smirks in challenge.

I recognize most of them from social media or the news. Some I’ve never seen in my life. But while they all celebrate Graham and Casey’s little brother, I feel extremely out of place.

Not because there are rock stars and billionaires all over the place, but because I’m the only one not connected to the rest. My only connection here, as far as anyone knows, is Casey.

I am the odd man out, despite every single person making a point to talk to me, asking me how I know Casey, and showing interest in what I do.

Being on the outside of things, I recognized fast that these people may all be at the top of their industry, whatever that may be, but this isn’t a house stuffed full of business associates and co-workers.

The people all share something I never knew I was missing until this moment.

A deep familial connection because that’s what this is, whether by blood or circumstance, this is a family.

Jagger’s laughing now, but not a single smile reaches those translucent eyes. It seems like minutes ago he was ready to snap. Now he’s pretending, his mask fully in place.

And no one seems to notice.

And every time his eyes meet mine, the storm raging behind his beautiful gaze gets darker.

After what Graham said, along with Casey informing me how volatile Jagger’s relationship is with his father, alluding to something deep, dark, and broken, I decided it would be best to create space, but I can see it’s bothering him even as he pretends to enjoy himself.

“So, how long have you been sneaking around with Jagger?” My attention snaps toward the deep voice. Dark eyes dance with mischief as he brings a glass swirling with amber to his lips.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you mean.”

Something knowing, noticing spreads his lips across his face.

He dips down, gets close enough that only I can hear.

“Sweetheart, you two have been watching each other since I arrived. Is there a reason for the subterfuge? Because I’ve gotta say, you’re not being very discreet.

” He leans back, his eyes raking me from head to toe.

“Unless it’s not serious. In which case, I’m tossing my hat in the ring before anyone else can. I did see you first, after all.”

I roll my eyes, shaking my head. Casey and her friends warned me about Thad a few months ago when I joined them for girls’ night. Loyal, dependable, friendly…and a man whore. Honestly, perfect if I were looking for a hookup. A few weeks ago, I may have been interested.

“What’s going on here?” Maverick appears with a similar glint in his eyes, looking between Thad and me. “You’re not trying to move in on Jagger’s girl, are ya, Reynolds?”

“According to her, there is nothing going on, so I’m offering my services.” He winks unabashedly.

“There is nothing going on, and there is no ring. I’m too busy for fights or services.” I sip from my bottle of sparkling water, smiling at his boldness.

“So that wasn’t your ass in the air the other night at the club?”

I barely hide the fact that I just aspirated my water. Welcome pneumonia. Panic unfurls in my belly, but I push it down, maintaining my composure. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

“This conversation feels very familiar, doesn’t it?”

“Mav, buddy, it definitely has been said before. Sorry if I mistook you for someone else. Must have been the hair.” He sips his drink, undeterred by my denial. “And the size. Those boots look familiar, too.”

My cheeks get warm, but I fight back the blush that threatens. “Sorry to disappoint you.”

“It’s a shame, really. I was just about to compliment your tits. The girl Thursday night had great tits.”

Scarlet erupts all over my body as an awkward laugh tumbles past my lips as I shake my head. “My guy, I think you need to get your filter changed. It doesn’t seem to be working.”

“Oh, I have a great filter. What I don’t get is why all the secrecy?

It can’t be Casey. She’s literally boning the other brother.

” He moves into my space, a wicked grin spread across his lips.

He grips my arms gently. His hot breath brushes across my neck when he dips down and whispers, “Don’t worry so much about them. None of them has room to talk.”

“You needed to get in my space to say that?”

He shrugs with a laugh, his eyes cutting toward Maverick. “You have a better view than me. How’s he look?”

“I can see the vein pulsing from here. If I were you, I’d run while you still have legs.”

“Nah. I can take it. Ever been hit by a six and a half foot tank?”

“Thad, my man, you have a death wish,” Maverick chuckles. “Incoming.”

I press my palm against his chest, leaning back with confusion narrowing, trying to figure out what the hell is happening. My mouth opens to speak when I’m pulled away, tucked behind Jagger. “The fuck are you doing?”

“Just getting to know Poppy a little better. I thought she looked familiar.” Thad grins, but Jagger fumes.

It all clicks. Him approaching me. Maverick and his comments. Thad getting in my space. And I feel like I walked straight into a setup. Anger wraps around my bones as I move around Jagger, jamming a finger in Thad’s chest. “You were baiting him?”

“Can’t bait someone if nothing’s going on.” He laughs.

“You are a horrible person,” I hiss. “Ever think there’s a reason we’re being discreet, asshole?”

“Look, sweetheart, I have no idea what your reasons are, but I’ve watched Lily and Casey hide behind excuses for why they can’t be with someone.” He looks at Jagger with a lifted brow. “So have you. The secrets cause more problems than the actual relationship. Right?”

I shove away from all of them, annoyed by the inconsideration and macho possessiveness. Pissed that they are calling out my alter ego because it’s part of my job to stay anonymous. A job they’re all putting at risk.

“You’re all assholes,” I spit, pointing at Maverick and Thad. “You don’t get to bait your friend or me like that. You don’t know what you’re risking—or why we’ve chosen to be private.”

I spin toward Jagger, heat rising in my cheeks. “And whatever this jealousy is? Get over it. I’m not yours, Jagger—I don’t belong to anyone. I can talk to, touch, or fuck whoever I choose.”

Jagger’s eyes turn to narrow slits as he glares at me. His jaw ticks with anger.

I don’t care .He can be pissed. I wasn’t showing discretion because I’m trying to hide anything. It was because of what Graham said. But this is new enough that it can be addressed later without anyone thinking we’re hiding.

“I need some air,” I growl, then shove my finger into Jagger’s chest. “Do. Not. Follow. Me.”

Seven floors later, I find a door leading into a rooftop conservatory, knowing I totally overreacted, but still wanting a few minutes to collect my thoughts.

When I push the door open, I find a petite, curly-haired blond sitting on the floor with two infants.

“Hi,” she says, looking up at me with sparkling amber eyes. “We met earlier, but I’m Quinn.”

I return her smile, then fix my attention on the two babies. Both have dark hair, but the one facing me is the color of midnight, and he has the brightest blue eyes I’ve ever seen in my life. He notices me staring and pushes to his feet, to cling to his mom. “Did they need a break?”

She chuckles, shaking her head. “Asher wanted to go outside, and when he starts, it’s almost impossible to divert his train of thought. I was thankful Casey told me this was up here. He can be outside without being outside .”

“Hi, Asher.” I drop to their level. “Are you happy now?”

He looks at his mom with a huge smile. “Ouside,” he whispers, burying his face in her chest.

“Yeah, baby. Outside.” She kisses his cheek, then leans forward, brushing the other baby’s soft curls.

He hasn’t looked up from his toy since I walked into the room.

“And this little guy is Noah. When Ash decided he wanted to go outside, so did he. They’ve been kind of attached since we got here.

They were almost birthday buddies, in fact, but Asher was so determined to be first that he came a few months early. ”

“I’ve been here for hours, and I don’t think I’ve seen the birthday boy yet. Hi, Noah. Is today your birthday?”

He finally looks up from his blocks and smiles—and I forget how to breathe. Dark curls. Pale green eyes. Dimpled chin. Like someone photocopied Jagger and shrunk him down to toddler size.

My mind spins, trying to reconcile what I’m seeing. He’s Casey’s brother. Which means he would be Jagger’s, too. The resemblance is understandable.

Except Casey and Jagger don’t share blood. And the traits I see in Noah, Graham and his dad don’t have, save the dark hair.

I hear a voice through the fog. My eyes shift toward the door, but it’s Noah who’s already crawling toward the familiar voice, and what he mutters as he slaps the floor with palms and knees makes the room spin .