Page 26 of Silver Fox Grump

Fear and bile rise in my throat.

“Don’t. I’m not…” I can’t get the words out.

“You’re not what?” asks Vito. “And I think it’s assisted suicide,” he adds to Rafe.

“I’m not going to do anything about it.” It’s painful to say, but even worse to acknowledge.

“What? Why?” Rafe says.

“Because I prefer ongoing life.”

“We could kill him,” Rafe replies calmly. “And yeah. He’ll never accept you fucking his daughter.”

“I’m not fucking her,” I repeat.

“But you’d like to.” Vito nods. “We’ll just kill him.”

“Five minutes ago, you were his ally. I hope you don’t pull this bollocks behind my back?” I snipe.

They both look scandalised and hurt, as though I’ve suggested something really disgusting.

“You’re ourbrother,” Rafe states. “I’ll fuck your shit up every day, but I’m not going to actually murder you.”

“Maim, maybe,” Vito mutters.

He’s my best friend. I don’t say that to my brothers, but Wes and I are as close as Rafe and Vito.

“Not an option.” I stand, hoping to shut down this conversation.

“If you do want to do it yourself, I can—” Vito says with infuriating reasonableness.

“No. No, it’s... Okay.” I couldn’t betray him any more than I could my brothers.

“Just you and your hand, huh?” Rafe nods sceptically. “Alright.”

“These are the choices. Death, or wanking.” Vito gives me a pitying look.

The girl who holds my heart, or my best friend. Even as she becomes so much more than a lifelong friend. “I’ll still have her working for me. She’s near, and safe.”

That has to be enough.

Maybe I can even teach her one last time. A farewell kiss.

10

MAISIE

Mr Blackwood summons me via email. Just a terse, “Come to my office,” at lunchtime the day before the meeting of the Blackwoods and my dad. Unlike the missed calls and messages from my dad—I’m dreading what he might say—I respond to my boss immediately.

Nathan, his assistant, is absent as I walk in, and Sev is at his desk. He’s not pretending to work, just sitting back, his suit jacket discarded, and his top button undone. His brows are low. He’s so serious, but those blue eyes have a fire of intent that sparks excitement in my belly.

“Mr Blackwood.” I shut the door, so we have privacy, and stand before him. We’re alone. “You called.”

“Thought I’d avoid being shoved in a cupboard tomorrow by seeing you today.” He sweeps his gaze down my body.

I tingle everywhere and I can’t help but smile. That’s as close to an acknowledgement that he wanted to see me as I’m likely to get.

I’ll take it.