Unchain My Heart(10)

“Hey, Lexi. You’re late, Cousin,” Jade scolded, but the look of relief on her face couldn’t be denied.

Harrison turned to her, looking her up and down. “Jesus, Cousin, when did you get all that new ink?”

She looked at Harrison, unperturbed, her dark hair making her striking blue eyes stand out even more. She shrugged casually, ignoring the sarcasm in Harrison’s voice. Either that, or she just didn’t care. “Yeah, funny thing is, it started as one small tat on my foot, and then another on my back. Before long I was addicted and wanted more. My friend Ivy works at a tattoo parlor, so she’s always showing me new designs.”

“Uncle Eric must’ve flipped out?” Jade laughed, looking relieved that the focus was off her and Ryder for the moment.

“Where’s Rebecca? I thought she was coming with you?” Ryder asked.

Harrison’s eyes narrowed as he zoomed in on Ryder. The tick in his jaw was obvious even from where I was standing. I suspected that Harrison was usually the male who looked out for his sister and cousins, and he didn’t like that Ryder was usurping his position. Jade cringed as she saw Harrison’s face. She was in a difficult position between the two men, not wanting to alienate either, desperate for them to get along. She had no hope in hell. Our two brothers were never going to like one another.

It was just the way it was.

Lexi nodded toward the front door. “Becca had a phone call just as we arrived. Her asshole boss. He’s summoned her to New York. She’s cursing him outside.”

Everyone laughed, except Ryder and me. I didn’t understand why it was particularly funny. It was a bit awkward, not knowing everyone and their history.

“Is she alone?” Ryder asked.

“No. Ratbag insisted on accompanying us tonight. He’s like a love-struck puppy dog when it comes to Becca. He won’t leave her side for a minute.”

Ryder seemed happy with the answer. Ratbag? What a curious name. I was glad I decided to come along tonight. Instead of staying home alone in my apartment feeling sorry for myself after my split with my fiancé, I was meeting a whole new bunch of interesting people.

“Who’s Rebecca? And why is her boss an asshole?” I whispered to Jade. I wanted to know before Rebecca came in, curiosity getting the better of me.

Jade laughed. “Rebecca is my Australian cousin. She’s only visiting at the moment. Lucky girl has a contract to work in Europe for one of the most influential and richest men in New York. Only thing is, he’s a douche and although he’s married, he makes moves on Rebecca. She hates his guts—understandably. And he has this way of summoning her to New York every so often. It pisses her off.”

“Wow. Who is this man? He sounds very demanding—”

“You really want to know?” Ryder swirled his glass, chipping in on our conversation.

“Sure. He sounds . . . interesting.”

Ryder had an amused glint in his eyes. “Rebecca’s boss is none other than Maxwell Grant. My brother—and yours too.” He threw back his drink and called the waitress over to refill his glass.

“Really? Now I’m even more curious to meet Maxwell.” I took another sip of Martini and mused at how interesting my very boring life had become.

All this time, Harrison had been standing around, glaring at everyone. His distaste at his sister and cousins being involved with my brothers was obvious as daylight.

“It's a small world, isn’t it?” Jade laughed, not really expecting an answer to her comment.

“Not small enough,” Harrison piped up. “Knox, join me outside?”

Jade went pale, her eyes large and round in her pretty face. She looked at Ryder as if begging him to decline.

“Sure. Got something to say to me?” Ryder asked, kissing Jade on the forehead as he rose to his feet and followed Harrison outside.

“Eva, I'm worried. The two of them are going to end up killing one another. Maybe I should go out too?”

“No, honey, stay.”

She chewed her bottom lip. “What if it ends badly?”

“Both men care about you, Jade. Because of that, they will rein it in.” I rested a hand on her trembling arm, trying to reassure her, although I was honestly freaking out a little myself. I didn’t know how far they would take this battle.

Rebecca joined our table, and after introductions I decided to go in search of the two men who had still not returned. Jade was preoccupied with her cousin telling her that she had to go to New York within days and cut her holiday short.

I went outside but stayed close to the wall in the dark, observing but not interfering. I was unashamedly eavesdropping and probably would incur the wrath of both men if they caught me.