Page 1 of Too Sweet

Chapter 1

Locke

“Dude. I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

Kylian doesn’t look up right away—clearly intent on finishing what he’s working on before giving me his attention. The dining room table has disappeared under piles of papers, folders, monitors, and tablets.

I shift from hip to hip and cross my arms over my chest. The move makes the healing skin on my back pull slightly. I’m still sore as fuck after spending four hours in the tattoo chair last week.

It’ll be worth it.

I can’t fight my grin as I think about her reaction. I’ve been counting down the days until February fourteenth. I can’t wait to get away and to spend time with my girl and all the boys this weekend.

“Congratulations.” Finally, Kylian shifts papers off to one side, then, bringing his hands together in front of him, peers up at me through his thick-framed glasses.

Cocking my pierced eyebrow, I wait for him to continue.

“You located me. Mission accomplished. Well done, you.”

I bark out a laugh. “Well done, you. Seriously? You’re spending way too much time with the Brit.”

Kylian raises both eyebrows in concession, the slightest hint of a smirk teasing the corner of his mouth.

“Perhaps. But Jo is happy, and Hunter is safe.” He surveys the table, then blows out a long breath. “Or at least as safe as she can be with Magnolia still alive.”

Eyes narrowed, I give him a once over. He looks tired yet determined. Resolute yet somehow wary, too. I’m worried about him. He’s working too hard.

His word choice also concerns me. Kylian always says what he means, and he means what he says. Aside from the occasional joke, or a rare moment where he’s masking in front of others in a social setting, it’s safe to assume he’s being literal. Magnolia, Hunter’s mom, is terminally ill, but is he implying that shewon’tbe alive soon?

Hunter and her men moved into the mansion over winter break, then Decker insisted they stay for the semester. It’s worked out well for the most part, but I’m stoked to get away this weekend, just the five of us. We’re heading up to the cabin for Valentine’s Day. And I missed the hell out of Joey last weekend when she went to the Combine with Kendrick. We need this time away.

Despite living in a literal mansion, the house has felt cramped lately. Hunter’s boys love the gym, and the Brit keeps the oddest hours. Honestly, I’m not sure if the guy sleeps at all. Then there was that incident when I walked in on Mrs. Lansbury and Spence’s butler guy having a private moment in the pantry.

I shudder involuntarily at the memory.

“What’s up?” he asks, jolting me from my thoughts.

With a sigh, I put my concern to rest. I trust Kylian. Kylian trusts Spence. Hunter is Joey’s best friend. When Joey was the one in danger, then when Joey needed to be avenged, Greedy didn’t hesitate to roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty right alongside Kendrick and Cap.

“Just wanted to check in with you about this weekend. See if you needed any help or if you wanted me to pack for you.”

Kylian’s been grinding harder than usual, which is saying something, because the guy works all the time as it is. Between school, his stats analyst work for the Lake Chapel football team, and now helping with increased security and whatever Spence has him mixed up in, I figured he might need some extra help.

“I’m already packed,” he declares, pushing away from the table. “I’m waiting on one more order, but it’s being delivered to the cabin and appears to be en route with a confirmed delivery of tomorrow. Otherwise, I’m ready to go.”

“Nice. What’d you get her?” I rub my hands together, trying to ease some of the soreness in my knuckles.

Living with chronic pain is a bitch. This flare-up is mild, but I want to stay on top of things before we head to the cabin. I’m planning an ice bath tonight, followed by a soak. If the hot tub’s unoccupied. Another downside of living with five extra people this semester? Hunter’s guys make liberal use of all the amenities.

“I did notgetJo anything,” Kylian replies. “I curated an experience she will find equal parts amusing and sexually satisfying.”

I balk. “Sexually satisfying? I thought we were testing out the cock ring attachment together?”

This particular vibrating cock ring has an adjustable part that I can anchor to my pubic piercing. Kylian found it online and is excited about the ability to sync it to his phone. When he presented the idea to me last month—with a fully prepared deck—I was instantly on board. So was Kendrick. I’m down to try anything once. Especially if it pleases our girl.

“This is something separate,” he says. “Something I have planned for Jo tomorrow afternoon, when we arrive.”

Unease settles in my chest. I’m not jealous, exactly. But I always feel a little off-kilter when it comes to navigating shit like this. I want Joey to have time with each of my brothers, no doubt. But I can’t help but worry that whatever Kylian has planned doesn’t upstage what I did for her for Valentine’s Day.