“Need you to start digging. I want to know everything there is to know about Jake Belview.”
I didn’t bother protesting this as it would be a waste of my breath. The men were now in full battle mode and they would move as they saw fit.
“You’re coming to stay with me and Mercy,” Jason commanded.
There it was, I’d lost. My dad and uncles hadn’t even gotten into the mix and my brother, being a mini-Jasper, was making demands.
“Actually, Adalynn’s staying with me. She moved in last night and will stay there until we sort out the situation.”
Those words came from Trey—strong, resolute, stubborn.
“Trey—”
“Not up for discussion,” Trey spoke over my brother. “You know I got mad respect for you and your family. But this isn’t about you, it’s about Adalynn and what she wants.”
The vibe in the room shifted from uncomfortable to downright hostile. With all the hostility coming from my brother. It was thick and ugly and I knew from experience when Jason felt like he was backed into a corner he lashed out and he did it ugly. It had been years since I’d seen his temper flare, but that wasn’t to say I didn’t remember.
“Right, and Adalynn came to the conclusion she wanted to move in with you, instead of, say, her brother or parents. Or, hey, even one of her cousins,” Jason sneered.
His insinuation was hard to miss. And if the insinuation didn’t smack you in the face, his condescension did.
“Jason,” I called out to get my brother’s attention. But once I had it, I flinched at the fury I saw. “I want to stay with Trey. It was my choice. He offered to stay with me, and Brady and Hadley already gave me the option of staying with them.”
I lost Jason’s gaze when it sliced back to Trey. But when he spoke, his question was aimed at me and it was beyond ugly.
“And did you make this decision before or after he talked you into his bed?”
“The fuck?”
I ignored Trey’s deadly tone and decided it was time to end this. I was well over an age where my big brother got to play the role of the almighty protector.
“Between the first time and second time,” I told him.
“Come again?” Jason’s body tensed and once again I had his full attention.
“When I made the decision, Jason. It was between the first time and the second time I found myself happily in his bed. Though, just to clarify, the first time was in my bed. And just clearing up something else, I decided to move in with him instead of the other way around because I was freaked out Hadley saw Jake outside my house. But frankly, I made the decision to even entertain the idea that I needed to stay with Trey because Hadley pointed out that with everything our family has been through, it’s best to err on the side of caution. I also don’t want to worry Mom and Dad. Me, Jason. I made those decisions.”
“Adalynn. You have to know, he’s—”
“If I were you I’d stop, brother, before you let that foul temper of yours get you into something you cannot undo,” I warned.
“Straight up, Addy, you’re my baby sister. It’s my job to look after you. Especially when you’re too naïve to see what’s going on.”
“And straight up, Jay, you just crossed the line I warned you not to cross. You’ll always be my big brother and I will always love you. But what you just said is total bullshit. I am far from naïve, and the fact you’d say that to me is the very reason I’m staying with Trey and not you.”
“Addy.” My brother softened his tone but it was too late.
I put my hand up to halt Jason from continuing.
“You know I’ll forgive you for that,” I whispered, too hurt and angry to care the room had gone still. “But when you calm down and think back you’ll know that not only did you embarrass your sister in front of a group of men, but you’ll also kick yourself in the ass for being incredibly insulting. My sex life is none of your goddamned business, brother. And fuck you for thinking I’m so stupid I’d jump into bed with a man who I didn’t have feelings for and knew returned those feelings. I want no part of this. I think Trey’s being over-protective, Brady’s on board to blow it up, and now you’ll take it further. And when Dad catches