Page 34

Silas

Silas was still trying to wrap his head around the thoughts of Ziggy chasing off Booker’s father at the weekend.

From the way Bowie spoke about it, it sounded like that asshole got the fucking fright of his life, and Silas would have paid good money to watch.

Yes, he’d pumped Bowie for information when he’d accidentally—on purpose—found him in the coffee lounge that morning, knowing what time Bowie took his morning break.

Was he surreptitiously stalking Ziggy, kind of following Booker’s example?

Yes. Would he admit it? Not if his life depended upon it.

His phone vibrated on the desk, and he caught the name ‘Ziggy’ in the alphahole message pop-up box next to Jupiter’s name.

He was reaching for it before he could stop himself, then wished he’d not bothered at what Jupiter had written.

Scowling and swearing loudly, he was grateful he was alone, as he wasn’t sure he’d be able to contain his irritation.

Alphaholes

Jupiter: What’s this about Ziggy chasing down a guy at the lake in his snake form, then getting a date with the police officer after he saw him? All the PAs are gossiping about it. It seems our little snake has some hidden talents I might need to explore!

Booker: Leave it be, Jup!

Jupiter: Why? Oh, that’s right, bears don’t like snakes.

Booker: That’s got fuck all to do with it. Just don’t be your usual asshole self, okay?

Jupiter hadn’t been home at the weekend so clearly hadn’t caught up on what had happened.

And trust him to be the one to find out Ziggy was possibly going out on a date—with someone that wasn’t him.

The thought took root like a weed spreading inside him so fast he couldn’t stop it.

Silas was grateful to Booker for trying to warn Jupiter off, so he didn’t have to…

but his fingers were already flying over the screen.

Silas: What the fuck are you talking about, Jup?

Jupiter: Get with the programme, Silas. Ziggy was your PA for weeks before he came to me, surely you saw his hidden talents? I’m looking forward to seeing his sexy snake.

Silas: You fucking look sideways at him and you’ll have me to answer too!

The second he pressed send, Silas realised his mistake at what he’d written. Jupiter was a wind up merchant and the idea of him—anyone—seeing Ziggy in his snake form… he struggled to catch his breath. His head a fucked up mess.

Rue: Okay, Silas what’s with that? It’s not like you’re dating him. Ziggy is free to date whomever he wants. And if he chooses Jup then it proves he’s got no more sense than all the other airheads Jup dates.

Jupiter: I don’t date Rue and the last guy I fucked has a PHD in physics, so fuck you.

Laken: Rue, give the fuck over. Stop being derogatory about who Jup dates. And Jup, if I were you I’d step away from the fucking grenade. It’s gonna blow up in your face.

Jupiter: Thanks, I think, Laken. But can you stop being so dramatic. And once more I don’t fucking date! I’m with Rue, Ziggy is a free man to FUCK whoever he wants.

Kodi: Takes a seat to watch the fallout.

Kari: Come on Kodi, stop being a dick. Don’t wind up Silas or Jup, you know how much he enjoys it.

Dad: Why do my sons feel the need to talk shit?

Maybe it’s time you all went to Silas’s ranch for the corporate team building seven day package he has?

In fact, now that I think about it, it’s a perfect idea.

Silas, you can arrange it. Maybe it will help with all this testosterone being thrown around.

Jupiter: No way Dad, I’ll hate ranch life. All those smells!

Silas: Scared you’ll get some dirt on you? Big wuss.

Laken: It doesn’t smell as bad as Emmy’s diaper.

Booker: That’s my daughter you’re talking about!

Kodi: It’s the damn truth. Whatever you’re feeding that little girl could be classed as a damn lethal weapon when it’s unleashed the way she does.

Booker: You say that to Frey. I dare you.

Laken: Let’s get back to this supposed trip. I’m far too busy to take time off.

Dad: It’s not a request. You need to make the time. All of you, end of discussion!

Silas had a mad idea, and his heart rate accelerated as shaky fingers taped at the screen.

Silas: Then if we’re going, so are the PAs…

Taylin: I second that because I’m not leaving Hollis behind.

Booker: We have Emmy to consider.

Dad: Lane and I will look after her. We managed you eight. I’m sure we can cope with Emmy for a week.

His hand cramped as he held his phone, staring at the screen, reading what Jupiter had written over and over. It ripped open his chest and allowed his heart to fucking bleed all over the damn place.

What have I done?

It didn’t matter how many times he asked the question, he still couldn’t come up with an answer that made the ache in his chest take a fucking run off a cliff and give him some peace.

To know that Jupiter was only down the hallway and was a wind up merchant of epic proportions didn’t stop Silas wanting to go shut him up with a fist to the face.

The edge of the phone case dug into his palm as he remained glued to his seat, breathing hard.

Where was the brother code of keeping away from someone they’d dated?

He doesn’t fucking know, does he?

Shut up! His animal side had made its choice, and Silas opposing him had not gone down well.

Though he still couldn’t quite figure out why he’d done what he’d done.

That was a question he still couldn’t find the answer to.

Or not one he was willing to look too closely at when it uncovered insecurities he hid from everyone except Popi, Dad, and Booker.

What a fucking mess his life was.

He flicked the screen open and ran over the conversation, torturing himself once more. Was Dad’s suggestion a good one? Could that give him the chance to show Ziggy…

What could he show him?

He dropped the phone, making it clatter on the desk in front of him, to scrub his hands over his face.

Man the fuck up. Booker’s words ran through his mind.

You are one of the best fucking men I know.

Stop fucking hiding behind society’s fake fucking beliefs about divergents.

I saved your fucking ass that day in the alley because you are my best friend.

One of honor, of courage. Do fucking you.

Show him who you really are, the man I love.

He won’t run from you if he’s everything you think he is.

Silas released a shuddery breath, inhaled and blinked hard, swallowing past the ball of emotion in his throat. Picking his phone back up with a renewed determination, he searched the chat names for Ethan.

Silas: Hey Ethan, can you give me the next free dates for the seven day corporate team building package, with enough spaces for sixteen?

Ethan: Yep, who’s it for?

Silas: Me, my brothers and the PAs…

Ethan: LMAO…

Silas: I expected nothing less. Just get me the dates and prepare for Armageddon!

Ethan: Oh the fucking joy… can I play with Jup?

Silas: If you want to end up kneeling at his feet worshiping him, then go for it, my friend.

Ethan: Maybe not… but it would be interesting to see if I could tame the wild beast.

Silas: It’s your funeral.

Ethan: It just might be fucking worth it.

Silas grinned for the first time since seeing Jupiter’s name pop up in the notification. Ethan was as bad as Jupiter for conquests. He loved a pretty face as much as the next man, but they seldom held his attention for long.

Silas closed the chat, but it might be fun to watch those two go head to head…

His door opened, and Booker strode in, wearing a look of concern. His suit jacket was missing, and his sleeves were rolled up, looking like he was ready to fight. “Want me to go shove his head up his ass?”

Silas sat back, eyeing his brother with amusement, his chest warming with affection. “The kinky fucker would probably enjoy it.” Silas’s lips transformed into an evil grin as he met Booker’s stare. “Nope. I think a week on the ranch will be enough payback, don’t you?”

Booker’s laugh reverberated off the walls as his head tipped back and he roared in obvious pleasure at what they both knew was Jupiter’s idea of hell.

It took five minutes before he calmed down enough to wipe his eyes, though he continued to chuckle. “You’re right, he fucking hates the country. It’s damn perfect!”

All Silas had to do was hope that it wasn’t Ziggy’s idea of hell, because he was out of time.

How did someone win back a heart that they’d already cast aside?