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“This is ridiculous,” I say, a grin spreading across my face. Malachi spilled the beans already—my sly brother got to Aria first. Am I jealous? Not really. I’m here for the drama. “Quinn, come on, man. What’s going on in there? Did she turn into a dragon or something?”
If someone laughs, it’ll break the tension.
“I want Aria.”
Zane rolls his eyes and glances at Malachi. “You’re the leader. You talk to him.”
He’s always so damn grouchy.
Malachi steps forward, his voice steady and reassuring. “Enough,” Malachi states firmly. “This isn’t helping anything.”
There’s a long pause, then the sound of shuffling and muttering. “I’m not decent,” Quinn finally says.
I burst out laughing. “Quinn, you drama queen, just open the door. We’ve all seen worse, like that one time Zane ate that spiked chocolate and stripped in the snow.” Good times.
Malachi shoots me a look, but there’s a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Quinn, we’re a pack. We stand together and fall together. Whatever happened, we’ll face it as one. Now open the door and let us help you.”
“Fine, but I warned you,” Quinn grumbles. We hear the click of the lock, and the door creaks open a fraction.
Zane doesn’t wait for an invitation, he pushes the door wide open and strides inside. I follow, with Malachi bringing up the rear.
Quinn is sitting on the stripped bed, his hair sticking up in all directions like he’s been electrocuted. The sharp scent of his anxiety blooms in the tight room. Not a single sheet or blanket is in the room. The room does smell faintly of Aria, but it’s not nearly as overpowering as Quinn’s dramatic behavior suggests.
“Damn, bro, what’s really going on?” Not to mention the incense. I sneeze like five times before finding the offending stick on the table, which I grab. “How many of these did you light?” I sneeze again and toss the thing in the sink. The lengths Quinn went to so he could mask her scent reveal just how deeply she’s gotten under his skin.
Zane frowns, his brow furrowing. “Speaking of things we should know, did anyone catch that new legislation about pack documentation? I heard rumors, but with all the security work for the mayor…”
Malachi shakes his head. “We’ve been so focused on our duties, we might have missed some crucial updates. We’ll need to look into that once we sort out this situation with Aria.”
Zane takes a look at Quinn and smirks. “You look like you’ve been hit by a truck.”
“Thanks, Zane. That’s helpful.” Quinn glares at him. “I look like I’ve been run over by a freight train of emotions, and they didn’t even bother to slow down.”
“Seriously, though,” I say, flopping into the armchair in the corner. “Tell me everything.” I waggle my brows. “And I mean everything.” A thought strikes me, and I snap my fingers. “What does she taste like?”
“Shut the fuck up, man.” Zane throws Quinn’s boxers at my head.
I gag. “Not the skid marks.”
Quinn runs a hand through his hair, making it stick up in all directions. He doesn’t find us amusing in the least, which is a damn shame. “Everything is all fucked up. It’s…everything. Her being here, the way she looked at me, the way I feel when I’m around her. It’s messing with my head.”
Malachi nods thoughtfully. “It’s understandable, Quinn. Aria is special, but you can’t let this overwhelm you. We need you to be clear-headed.”
Zane leans against the wall, his arms crossed. “And if you’re this rattled by her scent, imagine how she feels. She’s the one dealing with all of us and her own issues. You need to pull it together.” Zane’s nostrils flare as he sniffs the room before squinting at the ash on the table.
“You smoked us out,” I accuse my brother. “The fuck?”
“Had to,” he mumbles. Quinn looks up at us, a mixture of frustration and irritation in his eyes. “I know, I know. It’s just…I wasn’t prepared for this.”
“None of us were,” I say, smiling, “but that’s what makes it exciting, right? The unexpected twists and turns.” I try to inhale her scent but… I bend down, spotting something on the floor, and I pop up with onion in my hand. “Onions?”
“That’s fucking weird,” Malachi murmurs.
Zane squints at the onion, tilting his head before his eyes begin to take in the entire room. I try to follow his gaze, but I get distracted by her panties. With a sinful smile, I dive for them.
Quinn’s eyes widen, and he heads me off.
“You are willing to wrestle me for her panties?” I chuckle. “You really are in it.”
