Chapter 87

Jane chewed her french fry, never tearing her eyes off the guys sitting across from her. Sin had taken her to lunch at a diner across from the school. He’d been greeted by a scary group of guys; two she recognized the names of as being on the football team: Damon King and Than Messor. The others: Gabe Astar and Levi Beelz were big enough to play football, but Sin had told her they were more interested in fighting. The last two: Ricky Hermes and Hadrian Apollon, were less intimidating, especially since Ricky kept grinning at her while Hadrian smirked and asked if David knew she was out with them. Apparently, they were on the football team as well, but they were offensive players.

“So,” she said, narrowing her eyes at the Damon guy.

He’d been the one to punch Dylan that night. He was built like a truck. Not as tall as Ryder, but thicker. His tanned skin and slicked back black hair made him seem like he was a mafia boss in training, and his amber eyes only heightened the effect.

He raised a dark eyebrow at her, the corner of his mouth lifting. “So . . .” If sex had a voice.

Than cast a look at Damon before shaking his head. “Even for you, you’re in trouble if you flirt.”

Damon’s grin widened. “You don’t know that she’s not looking to expand her harem.”

Sin frowned at them. “I’m not getting killed because of you two.”

Than inclined his head toward Damon. “Because of him.” His eyes fell on her, and he sort of bowed his head. “I owe Ryder, and he’s a . . . friend. If Damon flirts, run.”

She liked Than instantly. He was hot with his tousled brown hair and thick eyelashes and brows, but he emitted a protective vibe, rather than creepiness or sexual interest. “Thanks for the warning, Ryder’s friend,” she said before she narrowed her eyes on Damon—definite sexual interest. “My harem is full.”

Hadrian laughed loudly as he picked up his burger. “The young queen has spoken.” He winked.

“Hey, so tell us, does Ryder seriously share you with David and Luc?”

Ricky smacked the burger from his hands. “You can’t ask that.”

Hadrian stared at his ruined burger. “Fuck, bro, I was hungry.”

Jane sighed, realizing the others were actually waiting to see if she’d answer the question. Well, if Ryder wanted her to be proud of him . . . “Ryder respects me and wants me to choose what I want. I chose him.” She glanced at Hadrian and added, “And David. There’s something between Luc and me . . . even more between Tercero and me.”

Ricky’s eyes widened. “Tercero?”

Gabe chuckled, taking a bite of a fry. “I saw that one coming.” “How?” Ricky asked him.

“Because I arrived two minutes ago,” said that sexy as hell voice with a slight Italian intonation.

Jane gasped, turning around. He was right behind her, a pair of black jeans and a pale gray tee. “You came for me,” she whispered, ready to throw herself at him.

He pulled off his sunglasses and smiled. “Of course, tesoro. I told you I was yours in your darkest hour.”

She laughed out a cry and instead of trying to squeeze out by Sin, she stood on her seat and let Tercero pull her over.

He pulled her legs around his waist to hug her, then whispered in her ear, “We have an audience, cara.”

“You’re not a dirty little secret.” She grabbed his face, kissing him firmly on the lips. God, he was like a present of her favorite things and some she didn’t even know she desired.

He was the one who kept her from getting too out of control, but he made sure he kissed her stupid before addressing the guys behind her, “Gentlemen.”

They were staring wide-eyed at them. Well, not Than Messor—he glared.

Tercero smirked as he lowered her to her feet yet kept his hand on the small of her back, under her shirt. It was like he knew he was making her tingle and burn all while numbing the painful ache in her heart and satisfying the hunger she’d not realized had been crippling her.

“Something on your mind, Than?” Tercero asked him as he pulled the chair she’d been sitting on out. He sat, pulling her onto his lap and tapped her plate, a silent order to eat.

Jane locked eyes with Damon’s amused pair, and she wanted to hide. They had no idea what her relationship was with Tercero. They thought she was Ryder’s girlfriend, and it definitely looked bad that she was kissing his brother. No, she didn’t want Tercero to feel like her little secret, but she didn’t even know what they were to be publicly throwing herself at him.

Than cleared his throat as he addressed Tercero. “He didn’t mention you.”

She looked away from Damon to focus on Than. He would’ve appeared calm, but the tightness in his posture told her he was ready to stake Ryder’s claim.

Tercero shrugged, relaxing. “Would you admit your brother was courting your girlfriend?”

Hadrian snickered, picking up his disheveled burger. “You don’t hear that every day.”

Jane sighed, peeking at Tercero. It hit her hard that she honestly had the most ridiculous arrangement going on. Her bad boy had said it was all her choice and for her to explore his brothers if she wanted, but it felt wrong now that others were viewing them. “Does he know you’re here?” she asked Tercero.

Black eyes locked on hers. “Do I need permission to see you?”

She flinched under his stare and turned away. She had a feeling Than was waiting for a sign that she wanted to be removed from Tercero. It made her wonder just how much loyalty Ryder had gathered from guys who she’d never seen him with.

Damon’s amused look vanished as he took her in as well, and he sent Tercero a glare. “Whatever your relationship with her is, it’s clear Ryder is her priority. Don’t throw her on the fucking spot because you want to prove to us you’ve got a piece of her.”

Hadrian, Ricky, and Sin seemed to agree, as they straightened in their seats, almost growing larger as they sized Tercero up.

Tercero didn’t appear intimidated. In fact, he wore a faint smile as he hugged her, nuzzling her from behind. “Forgive me, tesoro. You needn’t answer that. I will distance myself out of respect for my brother. As they are right to be suspicious—he does not know I am here, and he will be upset to learn I managed to see you when he cannot.”

Her body trembled as she kept her eyes forward. Than was ready and waiting for her to say the word; she should say the word because Ryder did come first.

A light kiss was pressed to her cheek, and Tercero moved her off his lap.

“I think I’ll go,” he said once he stood. He pulled a cell phone from his pocket and held it out to her. “Keep it hidden. Our numbers are saved, even David’s new phone. They may not recognize the number, as I haven’t told them I was getting you a phone.”

She shook her head, wanting to tell him she was sorry, that he could stay and be with her too.

He smiled, putting his sunglasses on again. “I merely wanted you to know you had me, should you need me.”

“I do.” She hushed when he caressed her cheek.

“I know, but you need more time to figure out how you want us. Speak to Ryder; I know he is your main choice. Ensure whatever you’d like with me and the others is something you are comfortable with him enduring, as well as yourself.” He lowered his hand, nodding to the boys. “I’m available, if needed.”

Jane reached for him before he could walk away. She squeezed his hand, smiling sadly when he returned the gesture.

“Finding oneself should have nothing to do with another, tesoro,” he said. “I only hope the woman you find desires at least one more afternoon with me.” With that, he lifted her hand to his lips, kissed it once, then he was walking out of the diner.

“Smooth,” said Hadrian as he stared outside.