The One Who Got Away (Wilde Ways #12) - Cynthia Eden Page 0,55

if she was a pretend girlfriend or the real deal.”

Antony glanced at his watch. Two minutes had passed. “You’re not wrong.”

“What, exactly, are your intentions with my cousin?”

Antony opened his mouth to reply, but then stopped.

Jacob squinted at him. “I don’t hear an answer.”

Time to stop being nice. He pulled off his glasses. Hung them in the V of his shirt. And closed in on Jacob. “I don’t know you.”

Jacob held his ground.

“I do know that you just walked into my home, and you hurt Ella. Bad move.” Antony shook his head. “You’re her cousin, a link I should have known about…” That bothered him. How the hell had Jacob not come up when he’d done his search on Ella in the first place? Shouldn’t have happened. Not unless…

Dex.

He would get back to that bastard, later. For now, he had to focus on the problem right in front of him. “Since you’re her family, I’m not going to kick you out.”

“Uh, thanks? Especially since I am here to do a favor for you.”

Antony offered him a cold smile. “I think we need to come to an understanding.”

Jacob rocked forward. “Yeah, sure, let’s understand each other.”

“No one hurts Ella. The bastard who put that scratch on her? I will find him. Doesn’t matter where he goes, I will track him down, and I will make certain he regrets his mistake for the rest of his life.”

“Not just some techie, are you?” Jacob murmured. A hint of approval flickered in his gaze.

“No, I’m not. Don’t forget it. You put tears in Ella’s eyes again, and you will be the one with lifelong regret.” That was the part that Jacob needed to understand. It didn’t matter if he was family. No one hurt Ella.

Her steps padded down the stairs. “I’m ready, Antony.”

He held Jacob’s gaze a moment longer. Made sure his threat was clear to see. Then, voice neutral, he said, “Ella and I are heading out to follow up on a lead. I’m sure you know how to make yourself vanish…”

“While still keeping an eye on you? Yes, I can handle that.”

“Good.” He turned his head, eased his tense expression, and focused on Ella. There was no sign of tears in her eyes. She seemed paler, but her chin was up. Her spine was straight. He knew his Ella was ready to take on the world.

And by taking on the world, they would be hunting down the perp behind this mess and making that jerk pay.

***

Jacob kept his eyes on the vehicle in front of him even as his hands curled loosely around the wheel. “You didn’t tell me that he was romantically involved with my cousin.”

“You didn’t ask.” Dex’s voice filled the interior of the car. “Is it relevant?”

“You obviously think so. Why else would I be here?” He wasn’t an active agent, not any longer. Not after the shit show that had been his last mission.

“You’re there because you fit easily into Ella’s life. She’s pretending to be Antony’s girlfriend. You’re her cousin. If you get spotted with her, we have a story at the ready. All the pieces line up neatly.”

“I’m not buying what you’re selling.” The SUV in front of him turned to the right. So he did, too. “There is no pretending at play here.” He’d seen the way Antony looked at Ella. And the way Antony had looked when he thought Jacob might be a guy interested in her. That hug lingered a little too long for you, didn’t it, buddy?

“How would you describe Antony?” Dex asked. “In relation to your cousin, that is.”

“Look, I don’t know what the hell that question means, exactly, but…I’d say he was possessive. Jealous.” As fuck. “He was also furious because Ella was hurt by…” Hell…by me. He’d caught the flash of tears in her eyes. Ella had never been big on crying. She’d much preferred to get angry instead of shedding tears. On the rare occasions when she did cry, Ella would always slip away from everyone else so that no one would see her tears. Just as she’d slipped away after he’d arrived at the house. “I hurt her,” he admitted quietly.

“There are some pains that can’t be helped. Ella and Antony both need you close right now.”

He wasn’t so sure. “I think they can handle whatever is out there.” He’d seen the truth in Antony’s eyes. The guy’s mask had fallen, and Jacob had witnessed the hard-core determination in Antony’s stare. Antony wasn’t some polished fellow who