Page 118 of Smoke Screen
Zeke nodded. “Rohan and Cruz will come with me. We’ll call you as soon as we’re done.”
“Thanks for that.”
“Come on. It’s not a punishment. It’s for your safety. And Maddy’s.”
“Yeah. I get it.”
Not really, but Zeke could be headstrong and when he got like this, arguing wouldn’t help.
And, hey, Phinny boy, you can take a nap.
“Good,” Zeke said. “Please stay in the house until we get back.”
What. The fuck? Were they toddlers now? Not allowed to play outside. “Uh, negative. When did I become your prisoner?”
The smart-ass comment earned him a massive eye roll. Yes, he was working Zeke’s last nerve. Couldn’t help it. Nothing.Nothingseemed to go his way.
A load of cement settled onto his shoulders, the weight pressing in on him.So fucking tired.
“Knock it off with the drama,” Zeke said. “I want the two of you safe until we get back. Then we’ll figure out next steps. Okay?”
Phin looked back, peering into the bedroom where he’d spent half the night in paradise with Maddy.
Somehow, that great night had turned into purgatory. “Whatever, Zeke. Go to your meeting.”
“Look at me.”
What the …? Phin lifted his head, met his brother’s gaze, ready to blast him. Phin may have been the youngest, but he was way too old for orders.
“Tell me,” Zeke said before Phin got a word out, “you will stay inside.”
“Now you think I’mlying? Yes, I’ll stay inside. Happy?”
“Not even close.” He turned, headed for the door. “Get some food and rest. We’ll huddle up when we get back.”
Half an hour later,after a shower that did nothing to lighten his mood, Phin strode into the kitchen to find pancakes, sausage, bacon, and biscuits sitting in the warming oven.
His mother. Godsend.
He plugged his phone cord into the socket on the side of the island, checked that it was charging, grabbed coffee, and then piled a plate high before sitting at the counter. With the amount of food in front of him, he’d have to hit the gym. Not a bad idea, actually. Bust off calories and stress and maybe he’d fall asleep afterward. Get some rest, as Zeke had suggested.
Stabbing at the pancakes, he shoved a forkful in his mouth, barely chewing before swallowing. His interest in food right now was about fuel and not flavor. The quicker he got out of here, the less chance he had of running into Maddy.
Yes, he was still pissed about their fight. How the hell did everything go sideways so fast?
Women.
This was why he didn’t like emotional entanglements. Too much trouble.
And aggravation.
“Morning.”
He swiveled, found Maddy standing at the kitchen entrance. She wore black leggings and a white top and had pulled her hair into a ponytail. That might be the biggest tragedy so far today. He loved that mane of hair. Loved having his hands in it.
Immediately, his mind drifted back to hours earlier. Her head on his chest, the two of them laughing about her morning frizz horror stories.
Then he remembered he was pissed at her.
