Dusk (Dangerous Web #1) - Aleatha Romig Page 0,19

out.”

Instead of doing what my brother said, I reached for Reid’s arm. “Mason, I’m not a kid.”

“I fucking know that.”

I stood taller. “Then don’t treat me like one. While you weren’t looking, I grew up. We’re not in some one-room excuse for an apartment. Our mother isn’t out turning tricks, forgetting she had kids to feed.” The words came even though I knew I should stop. “You don’t need to take care of me.”

“You’re here,” Mason said, standing his ground. “I’m taking care of you.”

“She’s here,” Reid interjected, “because you thought it would be best. She was and is capable of taking care of herself.”

I looked up at the man before me, the one who had just made love to me, the one defending me, not as a child but as an adult capable of making my own choice.

Before I could respond, Mason spoke, louder than before. “Is that what you think is best? Do you want her back out there instead of here and safe?”

“No. I want her here—with me, not you.”

“With you?” I asked.

Reid looked down, our gazes meeting, and nodded. “It wasn’t how I imagined saying it.”

Yet before he could say more, Mason was closer to him, so close their chests touched. “You and me, we’re not done. We’re going to talk.”

Finding my voice, I turned to Mason. “It’s not up to you.”

At the same time, Reid replied, “Mason, I wanted to tell you. There’s been too much happening with Allister and Sparrow. The timing didn’t seem right—”

“What the actual fuck?” Mason interrupted as his blazing green gaze sent flames from me to Reid and back. “This isn’t new? How long?”

Heat came from his stare, similar to a spotlight shining on Reid and me.

I tried to shrug. “This” —I motioned between Reid and me— “...not long.” Suddenly, I didn’t care about Mason. I remembered Reid’s words. He’d said he wanted me with him. When I peered up at him, a smile filled my face. “Although, I think I’ve wanted it for a long time.”

I stepped forward and reached for Mason’s hand. “Mace.”

“Are you going to tell me to fuck off?” my brother asked. “You’re done with me and don’t need me anymore.”

“No, I’m going to remind you that I’m twenty-six years old.”

“I fucking know your age.”

“You’ve done so much for me. It was hard when you left, but” —I looked around the common area that at one time felt foreign— “it was meant to be. This, Mace, is the life you were meant to live. The four of you will rule this city. You will help more people like Missy.” His hand twitched in mine, but I held tight. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough for all you’ve done. You even took care of me from overseas. Now it’s time to let me live.”

“With him?” Mason asked.

“Do you have a better prospect?” Reid’s chest puffed as his jaw clenched. “I’m not good enough?”

Mason scanned him up and down. “Fuck no.” Letting go of my hand, my brother took a step back before raking his fingers through his short light-brown hair. “Fuck, Reid, this is about my sister. Not about you.”

We all grew silent and turned as the elevator doors opened.

I took a deep breath, wishing I could turn back time. Wishing I could be back in Reid’s bed, or maybe in the apartment where Mason wanted me. Wishing I was anywhere but here, facing him—Sterling Sparrow.

He didn’t need to speak to express his displeasure. It radiated off of him, sending ripples through the air. His deep voice bellowed, echoing through the common area. “Tell me what the fuck is going on.”

Patrick appeared a few steps behind in Mr. Sparrow’s wake.

When no one replied, Sparrow stopped and scanned from Reid to me and finally to Mason. “Our city is under siege and you two are fighting over her?”

The way he said the personal pronoun was the way someone would describe dog shit stuck to their shoe. Whether he meant it or not, I heard the disgust in his tone. This man had chosen his army, but similar to the nation’s military, he hadn’t issued his soldiers a family.

I wasn’t wanted.

Despite Mason’s preference or even Reid’s, the only person capable of making the decision had just spoken. Taking a deep breath, I straightened my neck and stepped forward. Reid had been right. I was capable of taking care of myself. I didn’t need a man—my brother, my lover, or this arrogant asshole. I met Sterling Sparrow’s frightening