Dirty Little Promise (Forbidden Desires #2)

Gavin© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“We’ve got a problem,” Quinn barked, shoving through the door as he let himself inside my office.

For fuck’s sake. I pushed away from my laptop, readying myself for the latest catastrophe. “What now?”

We’d had a string of problems to sort through lately, and I’d hoped our troubles were over. Maybe it was all part of being a Kingsley. Shit, maybe we were cursed.

Quinn released a tired groan and dropped into the leather chair opposite me. He was two years older than me, but somehow managed to seem both older and younger at once. He was experienced and wise, and when he spoke, men listened. But at the same time, he’d never really been in a relationship, had never even come close to settling down, so he still maintained that sort of bachelor’s immaturity.

“Cooper’s gone again.”

Jesus. I pinched the bridge of my nose, suddenly tired. Cooper had taken off for a while, trying to find himself, whatever that meant. But he’d come back, still not sure where he was going to settle. I knew he’d be moving and soon, but his disappearing act was getting old. I was used to predictability, and this was anything but business as usual.

“One of us needs to go after him, and I think it should be you, for obvious reasons.”

“Me?” I let out a grunt of surprise. Quinn’s reasons were far from obvious to me.

“Yes. You.”

“I have no patience for his drama. I got the girl. End of story. He needs to man up.”

Honestly, I thought we’d covered all this, thought we’d worked through this that evening at Quinn’s when Emma disappeared into the library to let him down easy. Of course, I should have known it would never be that simple. Real life was often messy—I knew that better than anyone.

“How would you feel if the tables were turned? If Cooper was with Emma right now, and you were the odd man out?”

Strange. That was a notion I’d never even considered.

“I sure as hell wouldn’t be off somewhere hiding, licking my wounds.” I scoffed. “I’d be here—where I’m needed—working.”

“Yes, you would. But you’d be a surly son of bitch and a nightmare to deal with. And we both know it.”

There was no arguing with Quinn. Plus, there was a tiny chance that he might be right. Which I hated.

“My point is that everyone handles things differently. If you could put yourself in his shoes for just a moment, you’d understand how incredibly difficult it must be for him to see you and Emma together. And asking him to stay with her while you were out of town?” Quinn made a low noise of disapproval in his throat and shook his head. “That was fucked up, bro.”

Then why did you fucking suggest it, asshole? Anger bubbled up inside me, but it was clear this was not the time to argue.

Now I was the one releasing a frustrated sigh. “Fine. I’ll go after him. Where is he?”

“New York.”

• • •

Pleased that I was able to get the jet on short notice, I’d headed to New York for the evening. Emma had gone to visit her parents’ home for the night a couple of hours away, which meant I didn’t have to worry about leaving her unattended. I had a nagging feeling that the mess she’d found herself in wasn’t quite over yet. But I’d have to deal with that later.

Quinn had told me that Cooper had checked himself into the swanky Lancaster hotel in the heart of the city. When I got to reception and learned he’d booked himself the presidential suite—on the company credit card—my blood pressure skyrocketed, but I promised myself I wouldn’t deck the son of a bitch upon entry.

When I knocked, Cooper took his time, the door only finally opening several minutes later. He was dressed in a pair of gray sweatpants, the cashmere ones that Quinn had gotten him the Christmas before, and a wrinkled black T-shirt. He hadn’t shaved in days, his hair was a mess, and if I didn’t know better, I’d swear he’d opted out of showering these past few days. Nice.

“You look like shit.” I pushed past him, letting myself inside.

“Hello, brother dearest.”

Noting his monotone voice, I wondered if he’d fought Quinn over the idea of my visit. Probably.

“Get dressed,” I said. “We’re going to dinner.”

Cooper dropped onto the plush sofa. “No thanks. I’d rather stay in.”

This was going well. My gaze scanned the suite, zeroing in on a glass bar cart at the far end of the living area. The crystal decanter of bourbon was calling to me.

Pouring myself a measure, I ignored his pointed stare and the anger I could feel rolling off him in waves.

“You just can’t handle not calling the shots, can you, Gavin?” he taunted.

I blew out a frustrated sigh and took a sip of my drink, appreciating its fiery burn. “I’ve been taking care of you since we were kids, Cooper. You really need me to play that role again?”

“Nope. Not even a fucking little bit. I just wanted a moment to myself, which is apparently a concept too great for you and Quinn to grasp.”

Rolling my eyes, I refilled my glass and made my way to the sofa, sinking into the seat beside him. “So . . .” I paused, hoping he’d fill in the blank and make this a little easier on me.

“That’s your attempt at small talk? You suck at this, by the way.”

“Look, I’m sorry, okay? You practically pushed me toward Emma, and you were right. She’s perfect. And she means the world to me, Coop. I still don’t think I actually deserve her, but . . . fuck. She’s it for me.”

“I need a fucking drink,” he muttered, rising to his feet. Once he’d poured himself a glass of bourbon, he joined me on the couch again.

I waited while he took a long swallow.

“I get it,” he said finally, his voice raw.

Releasing a slow exhale, I tried to put myself in his shoes. “I do too. If you’d been the one to . . .” I couldn’t even let myself go there. If Cooper had ended up with Emma? It wasn’t a scenario I could even let myself imagine. I’d be destroyed.