Dangerous Stranger (Beautiful Entourage #4) (9 page)

River rubbed his chin before he lowered his hand. “Seriously, how hot is this girl? Because you’re acting like a circus clown right now.”

I ignored the comment. “I know he has skeletons in his closet. There’s no way a guy would treat her like that unless he had a thing on the side or he was gay. I need to uncover it so I can expose him. Then she’ll ditch him.”

Rhett rubbed his forehead. “You know how crazy you sound right now?”

I kept going. “I need you guys to tail him day and night. You can take shifts. We’re going to find whatever he’s hiding. We’re going to get it on video and we’re going to bring this fucker down.”

“You think we don’t have lives?” Troy asked. “Because I have shit to do.”

“I’ll pay you,” I blurted. “Just do this for me.”

“You don’t have to pay us,” Cato said. “We got your back.”

Troy sighed like he wished Cato hadn’t said that.

“Around the clock?” River asked in surprise. “What about between one and five a.m.? You really think something is going to go down then?”

“Probably not,” I agreed. “But I want someone on him all hours of the day.”

“What about you?” Rhett asked. “Are you participating in this?”

“I wish,” I said. “He’ll recognize me and know I’m up to something. I can’t do it.”

“How convenient,” Troy said sarcastically.

“So, you guys are with me?” I asked to clarify.

River shook his head. “This chick better be as hot as you claim.”

“She is,” I said. “But that isn’t the only reason why I’m doing this.”

“Then why are you doing it?” Rhett questioned. Judging the slight smirk on his lips, he already had a suspicion.

I didn’t see the point in hiding it. “I really care about her.”

“Wrong answer,” River said. “You’re pussy-whipped.”

“How can I be pussy-whipped if I’ve never had her pussy?” I demanded.

“Exactly,” Troy said.

I cocked an eyebrow because I missed the point everyone else got.

***

Max invited me over, and I hoped Ophelia would be there. She and I hadn’t spoken much since she told me she and Cameron were back together. It was hard to look at her and not scream.

How did a perfect woman like that not realize how damn perfect she was?

I entered the apartment and embraced Max like I usually did. Touching and handholding was the only affection I would give, and fortunately, that was the only affection Max wanted anyway.

“How’s it going?” he asked.

“Good.” I discreetly scanned the apartment and looked for Ophelia. I didn’t see her but her bedroom door was shut. “You?”

“Good. Nothing new. So, you want to play a game?”

“Sure.” Maybe a game would distract me. I wondered what she was doing behind the door. Taking a nap? I’d love to sleep with her. Or maybe she was getting ready to go out. I didn’t know but my curiosity wouldn’t stop trying to figure it out.

“Cameron is picking her up and they’re going out to dinner.” Max answered the question I never asked. Maybe we were spending too much time together.

“Fuck,” I said under my breath.

“Your life will be much easier if you just accept it.”

“I’ll never accept it.” I played the game but wasn’t really into it.

“Good luck with that.”

Ophelia opened her door then stepped out wearing a purple strapless dress. Her eyes were highlighted with eye shadow and she looked like a wet dream. “Hey, Jett.” She gave me a big and wide smile when she saw me. I’d seen her give countless fakes smiles to spot the real ones. Her eyes glowed like stars. She never had that look on her face when she spoke of Cameron.

“Hey,” I said weakly.

“What do you think?” She twirled in a circle and posed for me. “You’re the fashion genius.”

She looked like a vision. “You look…” There was no word to describe exactly how she looked. Most gorgeous woman in the world would probably be over-the-top no matter how true it was. “Perfect.”

“Great,” she said. “Perfect from a gay guy is saying something.”

I wish I were the man she was getting dressed up for.

“And my opinion is irrelevant?” Max asked.

She waved off his comment. “You would tell me I was beautiful even if I wasn’t because I’m your sister.”

Max laughed. “Whatever you say, sis.”

The knock on the door announced Cameron’s arrival. Ophelia grabbed her clutch and walked to the door.

I quickly turned to Max. “Help me.”

“How the hell am I supposed to do that?”

“Let’s make it a double date,” I said. “Ask her.”

He looked uncomfortable. “Dude, you need—”

“Please.” I wasn’t above begging.

He sighed at the desperate look on my face. “Fine.”

“Thank you. Thank you.”

He stood up and came to Ophelia’s side before she opened the door. “Hey, why don’t we make it a double date?” he asked. “That would be fun, right?” It was obvious he was forcing it and had no real interest in going.

“A double date?” she asked.

“Yeah, we’re both seeing someone at the same time.”

“Uh…” She seemed hesitant at first. “Yeah, sure.”

Phew. I was going to cock-block the shit out of Cameron.

“Cool,” Max said.

Ophelia opened the door to Cameron. “Hey…” There was a slight hesitance to her movements.

“Hey.” He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. In his hands were flowers.

I tried not to roll my eyes. Guys only bought flowers when they did something wrong. And Cameron looked guilty.

“They are beautiful.” She smelled them and placed them in a vase. “Thank you.”

Cameron stepped inside. “You’re welcome.” Then he spotted me on the couch. He glared at me openly.

I glared back.

Ophelia caught the look. “I want my two best men to get along…okay?”

Cameron was silent.

So was I.

“You guys need to shake hands and move on,” she said.

No fucking way.

Cameron looked like he felt the same way.

Max tried to clear the tension. “Well, we should get going. I’m starving.”

“Whoa, wait.” Cameron turned to Ophelia. “What does he mean by that?”

“Actually, we’re going on a double date.” Judging the cringe on her face she knew Cameron wouldn’t be thrilled with the news.

He stepped toward her and lowered his voice. “I was hoping it would just be us…so we can talk about our relationship.”

Think again, jackass.

“Well, I already said yes,” she whispered.

He sighed in irritation but didn’t press his argument. “Okay.”

“Sorry,” she said. “We’ll have time later. Promise.”

Good luck keeping that promise.

“Well, let’s go,” Max said.

I walked to the door and didn’t hide the look of loathing on my face.

Cameron hated me just as much.

This should be a fun night.

***

We sat at the table and held our menus. I sat directly across from Ophelia, which I was grateful for. I’d rather look at her beautiful face instead of stare at that jackass.

Max sat beside me then rested his hand on my thigh.

I was glad he was taking charge of the affection we were supposed to share because I kept forgetting to. All I cared about was keeping Ophelia away from the pig that didn’t deserve her.

I pulled out my phone and discreetly texted Rhett, who was on duty.
I’m at dinner with him now. Break into his apartment and search it.

You want me to break the law?

You got my back or what?

There was a long pause.
How am I even supposed to get in there?

Ask Cato for help. He can break into any door.

Fine. Tell me when he’s on his way back.

K.

I put my phone back in my pocket then looked up to see Ophelia watching me with her hypnotic green eyes.

“Everything all right?” she asked.

It was about to be.
“Yeah. Some friends wanted to go out tonight but I told them I was busy with my boyfriend.” I gave Max a significant look.

He smiled back but the look didn’t reach his eyes.

Cameron stared at me like I was a bug that just crawled over the table.

I decided to piss him off. “Ophelia, you look beautiful tonight. The dress really brings out your eyes.”

“Oh, thanks.” She blushed slightly.

Cameron narrowed his eyes at me.

“What are you getting?” I asked.

“Crème of asparagus soup and a side salad.”

I was hoping she would order something better, like a steak.

“What about you?” she asked.

“Chicken with greens sounds good,” I said. “So, are we hitting the gym together tomorrow?”

I wanted it to be clear I would be in her life whether Cameron was or not.

“Sure,” she said. “It’s nice to have a workout buddy.”

Cameron just stared at me.

When the waiter came over, he took our orders. Max went first then Cameron. When my turn came, I ordered for both Ophelia and myself.

Judging the scowl on Cameron’s face, he didn’t appreciate what I did.

Well, you should have let her order first, asshole.

Ophelia sensed the tension. “Cameron is a lawyer,” she said. “He’s been practicing law for about two years.”

“Nice,” I said with a faked enthusiasm. “But that make sense. He’s a crook and a liar for a living as well as in his personal life.”

Cameron turned red in the face.

Ophelia looked uncomfortable.

Max tried not to laugh.

When the wine was brought, I uncorked it then poured Ophelia a glass.

“Thank you,” she said quietly.

I poured mine and Max’s, but left Cameron’s untouched.

When he grabbed the bottle, I kicked him hard in the knee under the table and spilled the wine all over himself.

“Fuck,” he said as he tried to move out of the way.

I sat still and looked innocent.

He tried to dab the wine out of his shirt with a cloth napkin but it wasn’t helping. Then he turned on me with angry eyes. “You fucking asshole!” The whole restaurant turned in our direction at the commotion.

“He didn’t do anything,” Ophelia said. “Don’t blame him.”

This was too much fun.

He came around the table like he wanted to have a go.

I stood up and smiled, loving the opportunity. “I’d love to kick your ass, any place and any time.”

He stopped his approach and glared at me in silence. Then he headed to the bathroom to wash up.

Ophelia cleaned up the remaining liquid on the table and dabbed at his seat. I helped her until everything was cleaned and contained. I was pretty sure Max knew what really happened and I was grateful he kept my secret.

“You guys didn’t get any on you, right?” she asked.

“We’re good,” I said.

She returned to her seat and released a sigh. “Wow…this is going terrible.”

“He’s got slippery fingers,” I said. “But he’s stupid for trying to blame it on me.”

“I’m so sorry,” she said. “I thought he would be mature about this.”

I tried not to smile. “It’s quite alright.”

A minute later, Cameron returned to the table. He sat down and his eyes were directed right at me. “You know what I think? I think you’re straight and you’re just pretending to date her brother so you can get to her.”

Okay, he wasn’t as dumb as I thought
. “You’re really onto something,” I said sarcastically.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Ophelia snapped. “Stop attacking Jett and let it go.”

“Attacking him?” Cameron asked incredulously. “He was the one who kicked me in the kneecap so I would spill the wine.”

“Yeah…you got me.” I shrugged.

Ophelia rolled her eyes, clearly embarrassed and annoyed.

“This is the guy you really want?” I asked seriously. “Because he’s not very bright, he’s a liar, and he’s a bit dense.”

Cameron gripped the steak knife on the table.

Ophelia caught the movement and gripped him by the forearm. “Knock it off. Now.”

Max just watched us silently, drinking his wine while trying not to laugh.

“Are you into five year old boys?” I asked. “Because that’s what you’re getting.”

He looked like he might seriously stab me in the eye with his knife.

Now Ophelia held up her hand to me. “Knock it off. Both of you. You’re both being childish and immature.”

I zipped up my lips and took a sip of wine.

She turned her gaze on him and waved her finger in his face.