Page 151 of Off Limits Mogul

“I didn’t,” I say. “I’ve always kept my feelings in check in regard to Keira?—”

“So, you lied to me. This shit has been going on for a while?”

He infuriates me sometimes. “You’re not listening, Noah.”

“I understand exactly what’s happening here. You took advantage of my sister.”

I shake my head. “You’re talking shit.”

“Rhys didn’t take advantage of me. This is mutual?—”

“Mutual my ass.”He scoffs.

If I thought I had a shot, I’d punch his lights out for that snide remark.

“You’re so obsessed in your crusade to prevent me from ending up like our mother, you smother me.” Keira jumps to her feet. “For years, you’ve shoved your indoctrination down my throat.” She leans over the table and points an agitated finger at Noah. “I heard you loud and clear, big brother. I kept my legs closed. Rhys isn’t my first because he was too loyal to you and turned me down flat every single time I threw myself at him. And trust me, I tried, and I tried, and I tried. His answer—and loyalty to you—never wavered.” She grunts in frustration. “I’ve always had respect for myself—even in London, your warnings rang in my ears—but I’m allowed to be with someone, Noah.” That last part comes out as a plea.

“You want to be together? Knock yourself out.” He stands up. “I don’t have to stick around to watch this… this… this… this…” I swear he’s about to blow a gasket. “This should never have happened. Fuck this shit.”

Noah storms out of the kitchen, snatching his phone from the kitchen island on his way towards the hallway.

The front door slams.

It’s just Keira and me.

I place my elbows on the kitchen table and hide my face in the palm of my hand, exhaling.

I’m glad we were able to talk this through in a calm and collected manner. Not.

Fuck.

“You didn’t fight for us, Rhys.” Keira’s accusation is like a slug to the chest.

I meet her gaze.

She’s still wearing that same choleric expression on her face.

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” I’m incensed.She’s unable to see her part in this. “I told you to give him time.”

“I didn’t want you to change your mind and back down from telling him,” she says.

I groan, rubbing a hand over my face.

“It’s like you’re afraid of him,” she says.

“For good reason. Your brother would walk barefoot on hot coals to save you. He’d take a bullet straight in the heart to protect you. He’d tear a man who’s done you wrong from limb to limb and face jail time without batting an eyelash. He’d swim across an ocean if he thought you were in danger. Surely, you’re aware of his devotion to you?—”

“So I ripped the Band Aid off?—”

“I wanted to ease him into it.”

“He has to let me grow up?—”

“You didn’t even give him time to finish breakfast before you slapped him across the face with news you knew wouldn’t go down easy.”

“Once I came clean, you were supposed to back me up. Instead, you chickened out.”

“I didn’t chicken out. We had that conversation a couple hours ago in my bed. We agreed you’d let me lead?—”