Page 35 of Her Ruthless Protector

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A.J. snickered.

“And then, Kane and I sauntered up to the frat house to meet Chelle’s no-good-cheating-ass-former-dickless-boyfriend.”

“What were you wearing?” she asked.

“Sure as hell not our dress whites or our civvies, might have been our camos with our sidearms,” Cullen said with a grin. It wasn’t nearly as wicked as Kane’s would have been, but A.J. had to give the man points for trying.

“So, you show up at the door, then what happens?”

“I keep forgetting just how young nineteen can be. For a moment I felt bad, then the pissant that opened the door sneers, wanting to know if we’re lost. Then I remember that the frat-boys can be real douchebags, and Chelle had been crying. Before I lose my shit, Kane takes over. He’s good with these types. Smooth.”

A.J. could so picture it. Yeah, he oozed military masculinity, but he still had an urbane quality about him, when he wanted to exude it. There was oh-so-much to like about the man.

“So, what did he say?” A.J. asked.

“Asked for Mr. Slade Dunbar, said that this was a matter of highest urgency and confidentiality and if he wasn’t here at the fraternity house, that more men would have to be brought in to secure the location. I tell you what, I thought that little boy would piss his pants. He fell down twice as he scrambled up the stairs yelling for Slade.”

“And when Slade saw you? Because he had to know you were Chelle’s brother, right?”

“Oh no, she never mentions me. She’s always afraid that will scare away potential boyfriends. So this fuckwad walks up to us like he owns the world and demands to know what the problem is. He spouts off that the president of the frat is studying law and will back him up. He turns around and it’s a ghost town. Still tries to bluff his way through and demands that we leave.”

“Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.” A.J. smiled. Oh, this was not going to go well for the man dumb enough to break Cullen’s sister’s heart.

“Again, it was Kane that answered. Said that he had to come with us, that he knows what he’s been up to, and that he’s in serious trouble. The guy turns gray. I turn to Kane and realize he’s actually been checking into this kid’s background without telling me something. I hate it when I’m outta the loop, but in this case I’m pretty damn happy. The kid shuts up and gets in the Jeep.”

“We take him to an office that one of Kane’s former employees has there in Chesapeake. The kid folds like a cheap suit. Turns out he’s been operating a casino out of the sorority next door, so that if anything happens the house mother will take the fall. He’d been advertising it online. It wouldn’t have been so bad, but two people who had submitted fucking Yelp reviews of all things had ended up with odd accidents. I was ready to break this kid’s face, but instead Kane arranged it so this kid and some of his buddies ended up doing time.”

“And Chelle?”

“Somehow, I was the bad guy for interfering, but Kane was a hero. I have no idea how to square that circle.” Cullen sighed.

“I’m glad I just have brothers,” Asher laughed. “At least most of the time.”

“So how into Kane are you?” Cullen asked.

“What makes you think I’m into Kane?” A.J. asked innocently.

“Cullen’s egotistical. He thinks that the only reason a woman doesn’t fall for his Irish charm is because she’s into someone else.”

“I’m so impressed, Cullen. You’re a step up from so many men. Usually they just think I’m gay.”

“Nah, my imagination refuses to believe that a God would make a woman who looks like you and allow her to be into other women.”

A.J. groaned. “Here I was going to pin a medal on you for not being sexist, and you go and ruin it by doubling down.”

Cullen’s laughter damn near filled the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex as they got to the main stage. “You are sure fun to tease. I bet Kane is having a fine time with you.”

“Is he, or is he not, a sexist pig?” A.J. asked Asher.

“I think his sisters would have strapped him down and castrated him with a rusty knife if he really thought like that,” Asher said as he hoisted himself up onto the stage. He held out his hand to help A.J. up. She took it. When she was staring down at Cullen, she could see he was still laughing.

“I’m going to get you back,” she warned.

“I’m looking forward to it.”