“Yummy,” Aric muttered, lip curling. “I’m gonna make Mr. Hotness my screen saver.”
Rowan snorted, and several guys chuckled.
Tension broken, the meeting adjourned for the time being. Micah walked over to the other building with Nick and Jax for a repeat visit with Tyler. This time, when they walked in, it seemed as though he’d been anticipating what was coming.
“You know,” he said simply, his expression tired. Resigned. “He’s going to kill me now.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, Micah started off the questioning. “What do we know, Tyler? Who’s going to kill you?”
“Oh, come on. There’s no need to play games anymore, is there? I’ve tried to tell Parker over and over that he wasn’t going to be able to get away with what he’s been doing, but he’s crazy,” the younger man whispered. “I mean, completely bat-shit Jack Nicholson in The Shining crazy.”
“Yeah,” Micah deadpanned. “I got that message.”
“I’m so sorry.” Tyler’s face was anguished. “He’s always been so good to me, but these days it’s the kind of nice that scares me. That smile someone gives you right before they tear your face off. If he ever lost it around me, I don’t think it would even register that I’m his brother until I was in pieces at his feet.”
“We can help you,” Nick said, “if you help us.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“First off, if you tell him that we’ve talked?” Nick indicated all of them. “Deal’s off. You’re not our problem anymore, and you get no protection.”
Tyler’s face paled, and he clutched the sheets. “I won’t, I swear. He’s made his bed, and I can’t save him.”
“Okay. Next, is there a set day he comes to see you?”
“He sometimes comes on Fridays, but not every time. He didn’t come last Friday, but I can find out if he’s coming this Friday.”
“You have his phone number?”
“Yeah, cell.”
Tyler recited that for them, and they saved it. Micah knew Nick would have the number run as soon as they left here.
Jax spoke up. “Be careful when you talk to him. Don’t make it sound like it’s important that he show up one way or the other. But imply you’re lonely or something. We want him to come this Friday.”
“I’ll get him here. Don’t worry.”
“Good,” Micah said. “We’ll take care of the rest. The less you know about the particulars, the better.”
Nick pinned Tyler with a hard look. “All of your calls and contact will be closely monitored from here on out. Just so you realize.”
“I figured as much. I won’t double-cross you guys, I promise.” In spite of his obvious misery, Tyler also looked a great deal relieved to have the secret out.
They took their leave and headed for the elevators. As they waited, Nick said, “I believe him.”
“So do I,” Micah said. “But if we’re wrong, this is gonna be a hell of a clusterfuck.”
Jax smirked. “And then some.”
They parted ways, and Micah hurried back to his mate. All of that had taken much longer than he’d wanted. And he wanted his mate.
He found her in the bathroom, cleaning the tub, her tight little ass poking straight up in the air. Sneaking up behind her, he reached out and grabbed both globes in his palms.
Squealing, she straightened and whipped around, smacking him in the chest with a wet, soapy rag. It hit him with a squelch, leaving a dripping spot on his T-shirt. Her eyes widened; then she giggled. “There! See what you get for scaring me?”
“Yeah? I’ll show you what you get for running around with your ass sticking up in those shorts like that.”
Intent on getting some of that gorgeous skin, he grabbed the waistband of her shorts and pulled the material apart. The zipper ripped and the button popped off and went flying, hitting somewhere with a plink.