Hide: Part One (The Black Letters Series Book 1) by Brooke Page Page B

nonchalantly as I could.
    “You by yourself? Come hang with us. You need to stop being such a downer, Jay,” he teased, hugging me closer.
    “She’s not alone,” Rod’s low voice muttered from behind us.
    Shivers ran up my spine from his tone. He wasn’t happy.
    Kevin turned, keeping his arm around my shoulders. “Hey, how’s it going, bro?” Kevin greeted in his stereotypical Floridian surfer accent.
    “It’d be going wonderfully if you’d get your hands off my girl.” Rod’s eyes were on fire, his fists balled at his side.
    I gently nudged Kevin with my elbow. “This is Kevin, my brother’s best friend.”
    “Um, yeah… Who the hell are you?” Kevin said protectively, the hint of my elbow nudge not enough for him to let go of me.
    “I’m her boyfriend.” Rod reached for me, yanking me from Kevin.
    Kevin crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Does Lando know about this guy?”
    I was dying inside now. “Of course he does. See you later, Kevin.” I quickly darted under Rod’s arm, walking quickly toward the parking lot.
    This wasn’t going to be good. I didn’t feel him following me right away, but by the time I’d found the car, he pressed his body into mine, forcing my back against the car.
    “I told you to put your fucking clothes back on,” he growled, his eyes murderous.
    “I was.” My voice was small, taken back by his anger. “Kevin stopped me before I could—”
    “You’re not allowed to see him again. I don’t even want you to look at him.” His voice was like venom as his eyes bore into mine.
    I was stunned, shocked by his anger at the situation. “He doesn’t mean anything to me—”
    Rod’s hands found my neck again, his thumbs pressing against my throat. “You will not associate with him. Do you understand?”
    “Yes,” I gasped, fighting the uncomfortableness of his hands.
    He dropped his arms, stomping to his side of the car. “Let’s go.”
    My hands found my knees as oxygen filled my lungs. The look in his eyes was terrifying.
     
    I never wanted to disobey him again.
     

Chapter Ten
     
     
     
    I was thankful for his silence as we drove to his penthouse last night. He knew something was off, but didn’t press me for information. That was the best part about our relationship; we didn’t hover. I found those were the only successful friendships I’d ever had.
    Curling my body into his high thread count sheets was too easy. Sleeping with them all day sounded more appealing than what was planned.
    “Becca texted me last night wanting to know where you were since you didn’t answer your phone,” Nathan said as he sat on the bed next to me. “I told her you came home with me instead of staying at the hotel.”
    I winced. “Did she seem mad?”
    Nathan shrugged. “Not really, but it was a text. She’s got her hands full with Tyler lately.”
    I nodded, glad Becca wasn’t mad about my lack of appearance at her party. I wasn’t a very good friend sometimes. “You said he punched a drug dealer?” I asked, trying to keep the conversation flowing so we wouldn’t talk about my change of direction in mood last night.
    “Yes, Tyler punched Chino. He’s the one we think Mitch is helping to hide drugs on our properties.” His eyes narrowed at me.
    Talking about Mitch wasn’t going to happen. Not today.
    “I’m sure everything will be fine,” I sighed, turning over to reach for my phone from Nathan’s hand.
    Nathan bit his cheek. “You’d tell me if you knew something, right?”
    “Of course. Not sure why I would know something, though?”
    Nathan gave me a look. “Don’t feed me that bullshit.”
    I rolled my eyes at him. “Nothing is happening between us. Like I’ve said before, he’s annoying, and so not my type.” Sexual tension had nothing to do with liking someone, and I didn’t feel the need to discuss it with Nathan.
    “All right. I’m leaving for the golf course. Curious to see what kind of shape everyone is in from last night.