Even though his mind knew that Raina needed protection about as much as a baby piranha.
“Stop fucking with my brother’s head.” He leaned down until they were nose to nose and whispered, “We both know he’s not the one you really want.”
His eyes dropped to her lips and he thought, to hell with it.
Then he dragged her against him and covered her mouth with his.
JACKSON SIGNED HIS approval on the video treatment Mac had handed him just that morning and slid it back into its envelope. They’d finally come up with an original concept for the video and now that he’d approved the budget, the project could proceed.
He’d taken work home with him, instead of staying at the office so he could enjoy a little more time with the boys.
And with Ridley.
More and more when he thought of family, his thoughts included her. If he didn’t see her for too long, he missed her. If she needed something, he wanted to help her get it. For someone who was determined not to sign up for commitment, he was teetering dangerously close to falling for her.
He could see it coming for him and was powerless to stop it.
Raised voices floated up the stairs. The loudest one sounded like his brother, Nick. He got up and walked to the top of the stairs. Ridley stood against the wall and holy hell, she looked amazing. When she’d told him about her undercover mission to get clothes from her house, he’d asked her to bring Matt along as well. Elliott already had bodyguards assigned to watch his house but he still wanted someone he knew personally to go with her. Plus, Matt had a pickup so they could get everything she needed in one trip.
Just then, Nick hit the wall with his fist.
“I know what you’re trying to do. You screwed with my head and I let you. But leave Jackson alone. I mean it. Stop fucking with my brother’s head.”
Ridley looked afraid and Jackson’s fists clenched at his side. He knew Nick was just trying to protect him but this was taking things too far. He wouldn’t let his woman be threatened in their own home. He opened his mouth to yell out a warning.
Then Nick leaned down and kissed Ridley.
Kissed Ridley.
“What the hell is going on here?” Jackson barked.
Nick jumped back and ran his fingers roughly through his hair. “Jack, I can explain. I should have just told you from the beginning.”
Ridley stayed in her position by the wall, her hands over her mouth. When she looked up at him, two tears slid down her cheeks.
Jackson hadn’t moved from his position at the head of the stairs. He descended the stairs slowly, taking each step individually.
One. Two. Three. Four.
He counted the steps, holding the numbers in his head. Anything was better than the image of Ridley pressed against the wall, fear in her eyes. While his own brother…
He looked at Ridley directly. “Can you go in the family room for a minute, please? I need to talk to my brother alone.”
She nodded mutely, her hands still over her mouth. She edged past them, giving Nick a wary look as she passed. As soon as she was out of striking range, Jackson flew across the room and tackled Nick.
“What the hell?” Nick held up his arms to ward off the blows but more than a few connected because Jackson felt the satisfying crunch as his knuckles hit bone.
Ridley screamed in the background but he barely heard her. All he could see was Nick, pushing himself against Ridley. Touching her. Kissing her.
He growled and threw another punch at his brother’s head.
“Jack, stop!” Nick wasn’t even trying to fight back at this point, just trying to protect his face from the raining blows.
The front door banged against the wall and the next thing he knew, he was being hauled backward. Matt grabbed Jackson and pulled his arms behind him. He managed to get an arm free and lunged forward again, dragging Matt with him.
Nick reared back and fell into the entryway table. It fell to the floor with a resounding crash. Ridley jumped back as pieces of the wood went flying.
“Are you okay?” Jackson asked her. Everything in him stilled waiting for her answer. When she nodded shakily, his shoulders sagged. Matt used the opportunity to pull his arms behind him again, more securely this time. His hold felt like being encased in iron.
“Hold on, man. Just wait a second,” Matt muttered.
“I’m not waiting for anything.” Jackson strained against Matt’s hold. He glared at Nick, who stood in the opposite corner, wiping the blood from the edge of his mouth.
“What the hell is your problem, Jack?” Nick stared at his bloody hand and then at him. “You’ll fight your own brother for her?” He glared at Ridley as he said it, making Jackson strain against Matt again.
Jackson couldn’t even hear what his brother was saying. He was practically frothing at the mouth, just the image of Nick with his hands on Ridley, all over Ridley, making him see red.
“Yes, I would. If you ever touch her again, I will break you.”
Matt looked at Nick. “I have no idea what just happened but it’s probably better if you go.”
“Fine.” Nick sent a scathing glance at Ridley.
Jackson lunged forward again and Matt cursed as one of his arms almost slipped free.
“Don’t even look at her. I can’t believe I almost listened to you. Just stay away from her!”
“I’m not Raina!”
Everyone stopped moving at Ridley’s shriek.
“God, please stop fighting. Don’t fight over me. Not when I’ve been lying to you all.”