Initiate Me(27)

“God, at least there is one Brunetti who is a hero,” Milan said under her breath.

Marco flashed Milan a sexy smile. “Aw, come on, you know I’ve always been a hero in your eyes, darlin’.”

“Yeah, in your wet dreams,” Milan scoffed.

“Okay, stop! I am not going to stand here and listen to the two of you argue. It’s all you ever do. Honestly, sometimes I feel like locking the both of you in a room together and see who will come out alive!” I spat angrily.

Marco’s eyebrows shot up and his face broke into a grin. “Geez, squirt, if you could find a room now, I’d be happy to oblige.” His eyes were lingering on Milan for way too long. Oh, boy, she was going to blow any second now.

“Me, too. I’d love to kill him!” gritted Milan. “You think you are God’s gift to women!”

They were going to have a full-on fight if I didn’t calm them down somehow.

“At least that’s what all the ladies tell me.”

“If you are all staying, does anyone want a drink? Tea or a coffee?” I gave up and headed for the kitchen, calling over my shoulder, “I’m getting everyone their usual.” I was happy to let Zane deal with their childish behaviour.

“Sounds great, squirt,” Marco called out to me in his normal, laid-back way.

“Do you want another beer, Zane?” I asked from the kitchen as I opened the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of wine for me and Milan to share and I flicked on the Nespresso for Marco.

“No, thanks,” Zane responded.

For some reason, the tone in Zane’s response sounded angry. In all the years I’d known him, I’d never heard that tone from him before. What had set it off?

I carried everything in on a tray and went back into the room. Marco was on the sofa, his legs spread, smirking at Milan who was propped up on the arm of the sofa. Zane still stood, arms crossed over his massive chest and staring at Marco as if he’d like to take him apart. One painful inch at a time.

I handed Marco his coffee and he winked at me. I peeked over at Zane and saw his eyes narrow.

He looked jealous, but of what? I was guessing Marco said something he didn’t quite like. I sat down next to my brother, glaring and narrowing my eyes at him. Marco only glared back at me.

“Thanks. I was just telling Zane how close you and Brandon have become lately,” Marco kindly shared. He was such an arse; I could just punch him. I looked over at Milan and saw her roll her eyes.

At that point, Zane came forward and sat on the other side of me, slinging his arm over my shoulders.

“Are you okay, angel?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?” I shrugged, sipping my wine.

“You look flushed, that’s all.” I wanted to hide. Flushed? Hell, I was damn near on fire with Zane sitting so close to me. I could smell that scent of his, and it drove my libido crazy. “I’m fine. I’m more interested in hearing what Marco told you about Brandon.”

“He didn’t say anything that’s not true, Mia. You do spend a lot of time with him, you know,” Milan said. Of all the times to agree with Marco, she had to go and do it then.

“No, I don’t! It’s only for the odd coffee here and there.”

It was odd I’d never been attracted to Brandon. He really was a good-looking guy; handsome actually with his sandy-blond hair and dimples. And he had dreamy, brown eyes. They were so dark you could barely make out the pupils. But in the short time I’d known him, I’d never felt even the slightest bit turned on by his flirtations.

Zane, on the other hand, had only to look at me to get my motor going. Which was frustrating as hell, because I had the feeling Brandon would be way easier to handle.

“I’m thinking he’s almost ready to ask you to marry him. Think she’ll say yes, Zane?” Marco was asking for trouble by teasing Zane about Brandon. “I think she’d be crazy not to marry him.”

I heard Milan laugh. God, Marco was full of shit.

“Nah, I take that back. You’d drop-kick him with that temper you have when you get riled.” He gave a mock shudder.

“Oh, please. Mia is as sweet as a lamb.”

Marco rolled his eyes. “Yeah, compared to you, Milan, anyone would be sweet.”

Milan reared back. “Me? What? I can be sweet, Marco, can’t you remember?”

He ignored her, returning his attention to me. Zane still had not spoken a word, but he was tense and stiff beside me. “Oh, I’ve seen your temper, Mia. You’re not to be fooled with when you’re pissed.”

I smacked him in the chest. “Piss off. I think it’s time you headed home, brother dear,” I told him.