of the men in the room, how they would have responded to Zander’s request.
Swallowing down the anxiousness of Zander discovering what I’ve just done, I keep my hands steady on the table and remind the room what I’m capable of.
“If I’m no longer able to speak to whomever I want, to see whomever I want, and …” I say, barely peeking at Zander from the corner of my eye. The five o’clock shadow along his hardened jaw sends a wave of want through me. I’ve never wanted to kiss him more. “… I’ll tell the judge each of you slept with me.” I dare to raise my gaze to Cade’s, whose own widens yet again before he narrows his eyes at me. “I’ll tell the judge you used me, each of you, however you wanted.”
“Ella,” Kamden scolds in a hiss.
“Well, I’m out of my mind, aren’t I?” I bite back at him. “I can’t possibly know what’s right and wrong, isn’t that so, Kam? So if I’m unable to choose who I want to fuck, and how … I can’t be responsible for my accusations, can I?”
The condescension drips from my words. “There’s evidence of course that I’ve been sexually active. And apparently a video as well.” The last part is reserved just for Kamden.
In the silence, I take a moment to relieve the tension that runs chaotically through me and then meet Cade’s gaze.
“You will do no such thing.” The drop in Zander’s voice and the dominant tone in his cadence send a thrilling heat along my skin.
My expression doesn’t betray me. I remain as poised as I can and turn to meet Zander’s gaze. It blazes with the threat of a punishment.
We speak at the same time. Him: “Do you hear me?” Me: “Understood.”
With my heart rampaging and my lungs refusing to let me breathe, I straighten my back and wait for whatever is next.
Butterflies stir in my stomach when Zander’s hand lands at the back of my neck, and his strong grip there is comforting more than anything. Then he runs his thumb along my skin and as he speaks, his words are lowered and meant just for me as he leans closer to me, although I’m certain every man in this room can hear. Zander tells me, “That is—not only—unnecessary, but an act that obviously requires a thorough evaluation when we meet next.”
Thump, thump. With the pounding in my chest and a heat pulling at my core, I nod and whisper, “Understood.”
It’s only when Cade and Kamden both begin speaking that I cut them off to question the room, “And when will that be?”
Glancing to my right, I meet Kamden’s disapproving gaze and downturned lips. He doesn’t speak and it spreads an uneasiness through me.
“Why don’t we all take a moment?” Cade questions, his attention split between his brother and me.
“A moment?”
“Ella,” Kamden whispers, competing for my attention, but I remain submissive to Zander.
“I’d like to speak to my brother.”
“I’d like to know when—” I begin to say but Zander speaks calmly, interrupting me with an assuredness I desperately needed to hear from him.
“Go, Ella. I will fix this. Go home.”
There’s a numbness that takes over as he relaxes into his chair, facing his brother as I’ve been effectively dismissed. He offers me a covert, kind smile as if it’s reassuring, but I don’t want to leave.
“I feel like I should stay,” I whisper and I don’t recognize my own voice. It begs for permission.
Zander’s hand flexes, the motion drawing my gaze as his fingers spread wide before forming a fist. It’s his warning signal for me to behave. Heat flows down my shoulders instantly.
Sucking in a breath, I attempt to collect myself as I stand slowly. It’s then that Zander reaches out, his hand meeting my thigh with a tender touch.
“I will be there tomorrow. I promise,” he tells me and with that I can finally breathe.
As I prepare to leave, glancing at Silas and assuming my driver here will be the one to take me home, Kamden stands behind me.
“I’ll drive you,” Kam comments and I turn to face him and his sharp blue suit. It’s custom tailored for him and meant to appear expensive, which it does. But Kam looks nothing but beat down.
My gaze drifts between a nodding Zander and Kamden.
My throat tightens as I leave the room, attempting to lead the way, but Kamden opens the door for me.
The clicking of my heels beneath me is all I can hear as