Page 134 of What Comes Around

I leaned back in the chair. “So how exactly were you waiting?”

Frustration flickered across his face now.

“They didn’t mean anything,” he said. “I’m a man, Ashley. Those were just…” He exhaled sharply. “It was never about them.”

His voice softened. “Your face was the only one I saw,” he said. “None of them ever slept in my bed.”

Silence settled between us.

Nick exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “You cut me off because of Apple. Because of a mistake. Because she schemed. You never even gave me a chance to explain.”

His eyes hardened.

“But now,” he pushed on, voice rising with emotion, “you’re with Knox. And Apple is pregnant with his child. How is that different? Why didn’t you give me a chance, but you gave him one?”

Before I could say anything, the front door opened.

Titan’s head snapped up. His whole body went alert.

Knox stepped inside with a paper bag in one hand, cold air trailing behind him. He set the muffins on the entryway table without looking away from us, his eyes narrowing the moment he saw Nick sitting on the couch.

He didn’t say a word at first. He just walked toward the living room with slow, controlled steps.

I watched him the entire time, my pulse picking up.

Knox stopped beside my chair and his gaze flicked to Nick.

“Who is this,” he asked.

Nick straightened on the couch immediately, his posture stiffening, his jaw tightening like he refused to appear smaller sitting down. A second later, he stood.

They were both tall. Both strong. Both accustomed to calling the shots in the boardroom.

I swallowed. “This is Nick. Payton’s brother. From my hometown.”

Nick’s expression tightened, like the introduction stung.

Knox didn’t offer a handshake. Didn’t pretend to be polite.

“So,” Knox said after what felt like a long moment, “what brings you here.”

His arm slid to the back of my neck, his hand settling there like it belonged. I glanced up at him, wondering what he was thinking, but he wasn’t looking at me. His gaze was locked on Nick.

Nick’s shoulders were tense, jaw set tight. His eyes flicked to Knox’s hand on me, and something twisted in his expression. Hurt. Accusation. Disbelief.

“Are you for real right now, Ashley?” he said, voice thick with disbelief. “He is having a baby with Apple.”

I felt like groaning. “Nick, will you just let it go.”

His brows shot up. “Let it go,” he echoed. “I could have handled losing you to someone who’d be good to you. Someone who’d love you and give you everything you need. I could have handled that, because at least I’d know you’d be happy. But Knox Sinclair—”

Knox cut in, his voice calm but edged with steel. “Careful.”

Nick’s head snapped toward him.

Knox didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t move. He didn’t need to.

“You are in my home,” Knox said. “Speaking about my woman. Watch your tone.”