Page 10 of Unleashed

I want to believe he’s right. Hope to God he is. Not just because I want my family safe, but because honestly, I’m not sure I could handle having anything else dropped on my plate right now.

And that includes another set of bonuses.

“I don’t think it’s feasible to distribute another round of bonuses at this point.” I look around the room as I bring us back to the original topic. “Is there anything else we need to discuss?” I can’t help but hold my breath, because I’m pretty sure at least one of my brothers has to have found out what happened Saturday at Toby and Brooke’s wedding. This meeting is happening before office hours, so I haven’t crossed Ruth’s path yet, but there’s not a doubt in my mind she told Tucker. There’s also a pretty solid chance Maren told Brooke and Mariah, which would mean two more of my brothers know I defiled Toby’s bathroom.

But no one says a thing. They haven’t even looked at me weird, which is strange. If any of them knew, they would absolutely be giving me shit for it.

And I probably deserve it. It was a bad idea. Terrible timing. Even worse location.

And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

“No?” I sound skeptical, because I am. But no one pipes up. I stand, flipping my folio closed. “Then I’ve got shit to do.” Grabbing the insulated coffee mug Ruth makes me use instead of the disposable paper ones, I drain the contents as I head back to my office. When I see a flash of long, dark hair, I brace for her wrath.

Ruth doesn’t hold back with me. It’s one of my favorite things about her. I’m a steamroller. I know this. I will barrel over anyone in my path without blinking, so I do my best to make sure the only people in my path are more than happy to slow my roll.

Ruth glances up as I approach, her eyes resting on me for only a second before darting away. “Good morning.” The greeting is more clipped than usual.

“Good morning.” I stand there, ready to take my punishment.

Instead, Ruth grabs the pad of paper she uses to organize my tasks for the day and strides into my office.

Like it’s just a normal morning.

I follow behind her, cautiously rounding my desk while keeping one eye on her. Just in case she decides to pick up something heavy and hurl it at my head.

I love the women my brothers have paired up with. They’re all sweet in their own way, hard-working, funny, and devoted to the man they love. They also have each other’s backs totally and completely. The three of them are thick as thieves, and even more dangerous. And they’ve welcomed Maren into their fold, so I’m expecting at least one of them to come after me.

However, it doesn’t seem like it’s going to be Ruth. Does she seem a little more uncomfortable than normal? Yes. Slightly awkward and embarrassed? Definitely.

Homicidal? Surprisingly not. Which is…strange.

Lowering into my chair, I take in the breakfast waiting for me. She’s made maintaining my caloric intake her personal mission. Normally, I wouldn’t hesitate to dig into whatever Ruth provides, but I’m feeling understandably hesitant this morning. I look over the chilled oatmeal and yogurt concoction she’s topped with diced fruit and cinnamon, looking for any sign of arsenic. What does arsenic look like? Does it have a smell?

I lean forward, giving it a whiff, but it smells just like usual. Not even a hint of cyanide.

Not that I know what cyanide smells like.

“Oh my God. It’s fine.” Ruth rolls her eyes to the ceiling, head tilting back like she’s asking a higher power for patience with me. “I don’t care what you do on your own time, Trevor. Consenting adults are allowed to make their own choices.” Her eyes come to my face. “But if I ever catch you fucking anyone in the bathrooms in my house, I will kill you.”

“Understood.”

No way would I try to fuck anyone in their bathrooms anyway. Birdie figured out how to lock all the doors, so Tucker had to replace the doorknobs with unlockable ones. Ruth’s toddler can basically walk into any room at any time. And she does.

Hopefully she doesn’t remember all the parts and pieces she’s seen of her uncles when she’s older, or that therapy bill is going to be substantial.

“Good.” Ruth lifts her brows at me, expression stern. “Now, can we get to work?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

The rest of the morning progresses as usual. Me trying to overreact to everything, and Ruth reining me back in. I keep worrying she’s going to get sick of my shit and quit, but I almost think she likes the constant push and pull of our dynamic as much as I do. I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge, and Ruth absolutely challenges me. In the best of ways.

When noon hits, she brings me lunch from her favorite place, unpacking the sandwich she ordered for me before taking her own food to go spend an hour with my baby brother. And that’s fine. I want her to be happy here. If hanging out with Tucker during lunch—even though she gets to hang out with him all evening after work—is what she wants to do, that’s fine. I can use this time to handle a few personal tasks.

I’m halfway through my meal and have just finished scheduling the landscaper to come out and prep my yard for spring, when the other woman who loves to give me unending shit storms into my office, looking ready to murder someone.

Likely me.

Maren is practically foaming at the mouth as she marches to my desk, planting both palms on the surface before leaning forward.