See No Evil (Brotherhood Trilogy #1)

by Jordan Ford

  I close my eyes and force air through my nose. “I think I hate you.”

  He runs his finger down my cheek—tender and sweet.

  My eyes creep open and I catch a glimpse of his smile. It’s enough to turn my heart to putty. This whole more than attraction theory I’ve got going could be a real thing.

  I wonder if he feels the same way?

  My stomach quivers.

  “Come on,” he whispers. “On your feet.”

  He hauls me up and steadies me against him. No one’s around, so he lingers by my side, running his hand up my back. I want his arms to wind around me. I love the hardness of his chest, the strength of his entire being.

  Not to sound cheesy, but just being near him makes me feel stronger. I need that right now.

  As the cool breeze tickles the back of my neck, my heart rate returns to normal. Trey eases away from my body, gently taking my hand and walking me towards the gym. I don’t want to go but his tender touch could probably lead me anywhere.

  We walk into the gym and I stop by the door, pulling in a defeated sigh as I stare at the Gauntlet. Riley jogs over and pulls a Gatorade out of the cooler. Throwing it at me, I fumble the bottle and catch it just before it hits the ground.

  He snickers and runs back to Kade, who’s just finishing up the tires.

  Coach Baxter peeks out of his office, giving me a doubtful look before shaking his head and chuckling.

  I glare at the back of his head, then take a few deep swigs of sugar water.

  “Okay, fine.” I drop the bottle back into the cooler. “Let’s beat this bitch.”

  Trey laughs and slaps my shoulder before pulling me over to the starting point.

  *****

  It took me three times as long as the guys but I managed to complete the damn thing. Trey gave me a boost over the wall and Kade caught me when I tumbled off the beam. He pushed me straight back on and made me finish. The only thing I couldn’t manage was the round of pull-ups. In the end, Trey got beneath me, held my hips and basically lifted me for twenty.

  As exhausted as I was, I didn’t mind him holding me that way, and the guys were nice enough to call it a complete.

  I was totally done afterwards. Trey actually piggy-backed me to the dining hall at lunch. I could hardly eat a thing. I was too tired to chew. Ms. Beasley took one look at me, thought I was sick and sent me to bed.

  Flopping onto my mattress, I hit that pillow and disappeared for a few hours. It was the best damn sleep I’d had since losing Robbie.

  And I was going to be getting plenty more over Thanksgiving break.

  In spite of waking with stiff muscles, the guys got me to work the next day…and the next…and the next. The Gauntlet was only the beginning. By the weekend, I was in the boxing room, pulling off moves I never thought imaginable. Each day, Trey would strap my hands, grinning at me while Riley shoved pads on. I was sent to work, punching, kicking, pulling off the kind of kickboxing moves you see in movies. Kade and Trey would lean against the ropes, calling out instructions.

  “No, you’ve got to punch through your body.”

  “Get up, do it again.”

  “Higher, more power.”

  “Hold your arm straighter.”

  “Three more. Come on, you can do it. Three more!”

  And so it went. The manning-up of Christiana Sorrentino.

  *****

  Lifting the shirt over my head, I stifle a groan. My body is killing me. It’s been four days of torture. Quivering muscles, spaghetti arms, sweat in my eyeballs. I’m not sure how much more I can take.

  In saying that, I do kind of love that I can flip a guy over my shoulder if he attacks me from behind. I’ve learned the art of head butting, and different kicks and punches that Riley assures me he could feel through the padding. Kade’s taught me to stop saying girly shit, and apparently my swagger is coming along nicely.

  Wriggling my fingers under the hot spray, I can’t help a quick grin as I step into the shower. Riley’s guarding the door for me and Trey’s warned him that he’ll kick his ass if he takes a peek, so I can fully relax in the knowledge that no one’s going to bust me naked.

  Because of this, I take my time, soaking under the hot water, easing my aching muscles for just a moment.

  Until Riley starts hammering on the door and shouting, “Are you nearly done?”

  “I’m coming!” I reluctantly call back.

  “So’s Christmas!”

  I snicker at Riley’s indignant tone and turn the water off. I quickly dry and re-strap my breasts. Because of the ground staff and my kitchen duties, I still have to pretend I’m a guy. I’m getting better and quicker at the whole strapping deal but I’ve gotta admit, I’m looking forward to walking around free and easy again. Man, when I first get out of this nightmare, I’m going bra-less for like a week.

  I pause, resting my hand on the steamy tiles.

  “When I get out,” I murmur, suddenly realizing what that means.

  No more brotherhood.

  No more Trey.

  I close my eyes against the thought and hurry out the bathroom door.

  “Finally,” Riley mutters, shaking his head and stalking back to his room. I follow him in, dumping my wet towel by the door and taking a seat next to Trey.

  He gives me a sweet smile, then turns back to the computer screen.

  He’s lounging on his bed watching football. Mr. Adler has checked on us like one time the entire break, which has meant Riley can set up all his contraband technology without having to worry. Because their room is bigger than mine, we’ve been spending most of it in here.

  Kade tosses me a packet of Doritos. I pop the bag and start sharing them with Trey. His crunching is loud in my ear but I don’t care. There’s something so comforting about sitting on his bed, our legs stretched out while we watch the game. Our bare feet are resting against each other and I could lean my head against his shoulder if I wanted.

  This is the closest to normal I’ve felt since…

  I don’t even know.

  Is it weird to think that I feel more at home right now than I ever have? I’ve only known these guys a short time in the scheme of things but it feels like they’ve been my friends forever.

  “Why are you frowning?” Riley grabs my attention and makes Trey swivel to look at me.

  His face is etched with concern as he touches my cheek. “Are you okay?”

  “Oh, yeah. I’m just…” I sigh and decide, what the hell. “I’m trying to figure out why I feel more at home right now than I ever have. My life is completely bizarre at the moment. I’m hiding in a boys school, pretending to be something I’m not. You’ve been torturing me for the last four days and I…” I shake my head, a fleeting smile zipping across my face. “I feel happy. I don’t get it.”

  “I do.” Trey wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close. “It’s because we’re awesome and spending time with us just brings out the happy in people.”

  I groan and slap his stomach. Kade snickers. Riley rolls his eyes.

  And then everyone goes quiet for a thoughtful beat.

  The only sound is the murmuring of football commentary in the background until Kade clears his throat. “Truth is, I feel more at home here too.” He shrugs. “These two idiots feel more like family than my own ever will.”

  “Same.” Riley nods, his forehead wrinkling with pain.

  I wonder what that look means. I’m tempted to ask but Trey speaks up before I can. “We, uh, we kind of decided last year to become a family. Damn, that sounds cheesy.” He scratches the back of his head. “But we’re the only people in our lives we can trust.”

  “True dat.” Kade raises his beer, then takes a swig.

  I narrow my eyes at Trey. It’s time to find out more. “Why?”

  “Well…” He swallows, his voice growing thick with emotion. “My mom died and my dad found himself a new family. I don’t belong in it.”

  He shrugs like it doesn’t hurt him but his
eyes tell a different story. I reach for his hand and give it a squeeze.

  He glances away from my scrutiny and points at Kade. “His parents are divorced and—”

  “Neither of them want me,” Kade finishes. “After nanny number twelve quit, they tried sticking my trouble-making ass with my mom’s parents for a while but they gave up pretty quick and I’ve been in boarding schools ever since. Bouncing from one to the next.”

  “Kicked out from one to the next.” Riley snickers.

  Kade raises his eyebrows, his grin lopsided and maybe a little bashful. He goes quiet, staring down at his beer and rubbing the label. His smile disappears, his jaw working to the side as if he’s fighting some emotion. After a brief second he sniffs and looks up, catching my eyes on him, and says, “What?”

  “Nothing.” I give him a closed-mouth smile but he knows I’ve seen it.

  Swallowing, he looks away from me and takes another swig of beer. Then in typical Kade style he makes a smartass comment to take the heat off. The guy’s obviously allergic to the feels.

  “You know it’s lucky I did get kicked out of all those schools, Ry, or I wouldn’t have ended up rooming with a jerk like you.”

  “Great. So I’m the one who gets punished for you being an idiot.” Riley laughs, then lifts his hand when Kade fires a dirty sock across the room.

  “What’s your story?” I ask the blond before Kade turns his nearby laundry basket into an armory.

  Riley’s gaze flicks to mine. I catch the flash of pure white agony before he looks to the floor and mumbles, “Died. Murdered. Killer got away.”

  The air in the room turns cold and stony. I glance at Trey, who gives me a sad smile. “That’s why he’s all about the justice,” he whispers.

  I swallow, thinking of Robbie and my uncle. “I’m sorry,” I choke out, emotions clogging my throat.

  “Doesn’t matter.” Riley shrugs again. “Their healthy trust fund got me out of the children’s home and now I’ve found myself a new family.” He glances between Trey and Kade and they share a meaningful look. There’s obviously more to his story than anyone’s willing to say, but I’m hardly in a position to push for information.

  I force a grin and look between them. As I capture the strength of their bond, my smile turns genuine. “So, family for life then, huh?”

  “No arguments here.” Trey takes a swig of his Coke.

  “So, what’s the plan after you graduate? You going to move in together?”

  Riley grins. “We’re all applying to the same colleges.”

  Kade belches, then raises his hands in the air. “Most definitely! Wherever we end up, we have to be together. It’s gonna be party time with my bros!”

  I roll my eyes and look to Trey, who hasn’t started celebrating yet. He’s staring at me with that intense gaze of his. His blue-green eyes are etched with sadness and I know what he’s thinking.

  I turn away from him, not wanting to admit how big the feels are right now.

  If my life wasn’t so screwed up, I could go with them…maybe become Trey’s college sweetheart.

  But that’s not going to happen, is it?

  Because my life is one hot mess and pretty soon Rybeck’s gonna come and get me. I’ll testify against the devil, betray my family and then I’ll disappear all over again.

  No brotherhood.

  No Trey.

  #24:

  Wolf Pack

  Trey

  I glide across the ice, curving around to catch another glimpse of Chris. Looking at her is kind of addictive and I’ve given up trying to be subtle about it. That attraction I’ve been fighting since meeting her…well, now that I don’t have to resist it anymore…it’s becoming something bigger.

  I love spending time with her.

  She’s got guts, determination, a quick tongue. I love how feisty she is, the way her eyes spark when she argues with me, the deadpan stares she gives Kade when he’s being an idiot, the emotion in her eyes when Riley told her about his family.

  She’s more than just a pretty face.

  Kade slams me from behind, knocking me off my feet as he rushes past with the puck.

  “Keep your goo-goo eyes on the ice, dude!” He laughs over his shoulder and heads for the goal. Riley skates ahead to defend, spinning around and preparing to play goalie.

  I jump up and skate after Kade, pumping my arms and reaching him just as he’s about to shoot. I steal the puck but he’s after me in a second, slamming me into the glass. We jostle and laugh just before our fight turns to anger.

  Kade gets the puck but I steal it back before he reaches the goal. Taking it behind the net, I swing back around and flick it between Riley’s skates.

  “Yes!” I pump my arm in the air and skate away with a whoop.

  Chris claps and cheers for me, unleashing a little girly while we’re hidden away in the hockey rink. Damn, she’s got a great smile.

  Riley thumps the post with his stick and skates to the edge of the rink. “I’m done.” Pulling off his helmet, he wipes the sweaty hair off his forehead before reaching for his water.

  He slugs it back so fast it drips down his chin.

  “Aw, come on, Ry,” I goad him.

  Riley recaps his bottle with a laugh. “Forget it, man. I’m hungry, I’m tired, I’m cold. All I want is a hot shower and some eats.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Kade skates for the gate, pulling off his helmet and shaking out his shaggy hair. It’s getting long. School’s going to make him cut it soon. He’s gonna love that—not. He probably thinks long hair makes him sexy. Anything to get the girls, right?

  Chris grins at his eyebrow wiggle.

  I frown.

  He sits next to her and starts unstrapping his skates. “Now, I’m about to go get naked in the shower, so you just keep your pretty ass right here or Trey might get jealous.”

  She rolls her eyes and I skate for the edge of the rink.

  “Look, I know you’re tempted, but you need to show a little self-control.” He winks and her pitiful frown turns into a giggle.

  “Would you shut the hell up and go shower,” I snap, gripping the wall and glaring at him.

  Kade laughs and saunters off, Riley following in his wake.

  Chris turns her smile on me and it’s impossible to stay mad. She’s beautiful. I want to memorize everything about her face.

  “Come skate with me?” My voice is soft and inviting.

  She brushes her teeth over her bottom lip and nods. We got out skates for her when we first arrived, but she landed on her ass within thirty seconds of getting on the ice and, thanks to Kade’s laughing, wouldn’t get back on.

  Maybe she sensed we needed to blow off some steam. But we’ve done that now and all I want to do is glide around the ice with her in my arms.

  Sappy and romantic—yes.

  But I’ve got to admit that I’ve basically been hanging out with her nonstop this past week and she’s making sappy and romantic easier and easier to find.

  Clambering across to the rink, she grabs the wall before snapping an ankle. I take her hand and help her to the gate, holding her steady as she steps onto the ice. As soon as she’s stable, I take her other hand and gently glide backwards, pulling her forward as I go.

  We can’t stop grinning at each other. We’re saying so much without talking.

  Emotions are clogging my throat, only getting worse as her eyes start to mist over. I’m pretty sure she’s thinking about when she has to go.

  “Don’t think about it,” I croak. “Just be in this moment with me.”

  She nods, sniffing at her tears and forcing another smile.

  I turn just before we hit the wall and then stop in the middle of the rink. She glides to a stop against my chest, wrapping her arm around my waist.

  It’s quiet in here. Like we’re the only two people at the school…in the world, even.

  I gaze down, studying her face and trying to paint a picture I won’t forget. I hate the idea of her leaving.
We don’t know when that will be, but it can’t be far off. She’ll be picked up and taken to a courthouse to testify against a killer. It’s going to be terrifying for her and I won’t be there.

  “I want to keep you safe,” I finally whisper. “I want to keep you right here…with me.”

  “I want that too.” Her lips rise into a slow smile, killing any doubts I may have had that this thing growing between us is a one-sided deal.

  Sadness sweeps over us as we both think forward to the inevitable.

  I run my thumb over her forehead, smoothing out her frown lines. “It’s gonna be okay. I know you’re scared, but you’re strong too. Much stronger than me.”

  “What are you talking about?” Her voice pitches. “You’re the strongest person I know.”

  It’s nice that she thinks that, but it’s not the truth.

  I dip my head with a sad sniff. “My muscles might be bigger than yours, but you…” I look her in the eye. “You’ve got an inner strength that I’ve wanted my whole life. I could have saved my mom, you know? But I was afraid of the flames.” I swallow. Admitting this out loud is harder than I thought it’d be. I don’t even know why I’m doing it. “The house caught fire. I woke up and there was smoke everywhere. I ran into the hallway and her room was right there.” My face bunches, my insides coiling like they always do when I relive my stupid decision to act like a coward. “But it was so hot and terrifying. I just…” My voice peters out to nothing.

  Her fingers are soft as they skim down my cheek. “How old were you?”

  “Twelve.”

  She squeezes my waist, pressing her cheek against my shoulder. “You were a kid. You can’t hold yourself responsible for that.”

  “But she was everything to me,” I mumble into her hair. “I let my everything die.”

  “Where was your dad? What about him?” Her questions come out sharp and snappy.

  “Business trip.” I swallow. “He’s never been the same since.”

  Pulling back, she takes my face in her hands and forces me to look at her. “I hate that you lost her…and him. But look at what you’ve gained. Kade and Riley are gold. They’re your family. Your wolf pack.” She grins. “And whether you like it or not, you’re their leader. They look up to you because you’re strong.”