Chapter Fourteen

“What do you mean you lost him?” Joe seethed.

The three imbeciles standing in front of Joe’s desk in his downtown office were white as sheets and fidgeting like preteens, not grown men. A fourth man, Vinny, leaned casually against the wall to one side.

“Vinny insisted Osborn was in the hotel room. We went to a lot of trouble to get a fucking key from the cleaning lady on the hall, but the room was empty.” The taller man shot a glare at Vinny.

Joe honestly couldn’t blame the man. He didn’t trust Vinny further than he could throw him either, but he still needed to figure out where the fuck Osborn was and take him out of the equation. Sooner rather than later.

The shortest man, a balding guy who rubbed his head constantly in a nervous habit, cleared his throat. “I think he knew we were in the hall and escaped through the window.”

Joe’s voice rose as he stood and leaned forward on his hands over the desk. “Through the window? What floor was he on?”

“The third, sir. There was a fire escape.”

“And how the fuck did he know you were onto him? What did you do, knock?”

“No, sir.” Mr. Baldheaded Moron winced. “Somehow he was alerted to our presence anyway. I’m sure of it.”

“Unless you arrived banging drums or playing a trumpet down the hallway, I don’t see why Osborn would have been watching for danger out the peephole. He can’t stand at the door all day and all night.” Joe was pissed. The boss wasn’t going to like this. It was messy. And it got more complicated by the day. He needed to find Osborn and put an end to this latest threat to his boss.

Joe spun around to face his office window. He ran a hand through his short-cropped hair and sighed. Did he have to do everything himself? How the fuck were three men unable to sneak up on Osborn and bring him in?

Vinny pushed away from the wall where he’d been leaning and sauntered forward as if he were in charge. What did this asshole have that made Rimouski suck his dick? Joe would give his left nut to find out.

Right now his only concern was fixing this problem. Fast. He waved all four idiots out of his office. “Get out. I’ll find someone else to do the job.” Fucking morons.

“I got this one,” Vinny suddenly stated. “Should have done it myself in the first place. I’m the one who located Osborn. I should have taken him out myself instead of waiting for the team to come in.”

Stephen didn’t issue any directives that indicated he wanted Vinny to do the dirty work. Joe was leery. He was also in over his head. Why not let this guy give it a try? “Okay. Find him. But keep me updated several times a day. I want to know what’s going on and where you are. Got it?”

“Yep.”

“If you fuck this up and make me regret this decision, I’ll hold you personally responsible for the SNAFU.”

Vinny nodded. “You won’t be disappointed.”

“Prove it.” Joe lowered back down in his seat. “Now, I’ve got work to do. Get out of here.”

»»•««

It was late morning when Nolan returned to the cabin with Reid and Adriana. Nolan shifted first and opened the door for the others. When they were safely ensconced back in their tiny haven, he headed for the fireplace. This wasn’t his first visit to the cabin. He’d even come there alone a few times over the years when he needed peace and quiet.

It was rustic, no denying that, but he loved it for its simplicity.

“I think I’ll take a shower,” Adriana announced.

Nolan gritted his teeth. The idea of her getting naked in that tiny bathroom only yards from where he stood made his libido shoot back to full force. A glance at Reid told him his friend was experiencing the same discomfort.

They held their breath until the water was running and they were certain she was out of earshot.

Nolan spoke first, plopping down on the couch. “This isn’t long enough for your frame. How did you sleep here last night?”

“Mostly I didn’t.” Reid dropped himself next to Nolan.

“So what are you thinking is the plan for the day?”

“I’m thinking my experiment earlier was a success. She hates feeling like she’s sneaking around behind our backs when she’s with one of us. We eliminate the sneaking, and she’s calmer.”

“I agree.” Nolan picked on a loose thread on his jeans. “It’s weird though. Both of us touching her at once. Kissing her.” He shuddered. “I never imagined sharing a woman with you.”

“Well, it’s not like we’re going to have sex. I’m only suggesting we not avoid contact just because the other one is in the room.”

Nolan nodded as he glanced at his best friend. Did Reid know she was a virgin?

Reid either read his mind or guessed his line of thinking. “She told me.”

Nolan swallowed. This alternate universe he’d stepped into kept getting weirder.

Reid leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “I would never take her virginity, you know. It wouldn’t be fair. Only one of us will get that piece of her. In the end, I mean.”

Nolan stared at his friend. Damn, he was lucky. How did he deserve having Reid of all people for a best friend? Any other man would have run off with Adriana and never looked back. That humbled Nolan. It was also tough to swallow, and he had to remind himself to return the favor. “Do not forget your promise.”

Reid rolled his eyes. “How could I? You remind me every day.”

“Rope.”

“Rope. Got it. Stop harping. It won’t come to that.”

“It might.”

“It won’t.”

Nolan glanced across the room. His mind wandered to the scene next to the sink earlier. His dick had kicked into overdrive as he pressed his length against her belly and kissed her. It didn’t even bother him that Reid had been watching, also holding her by the waist. Guiding her. It was hot.

It was crazy, but it was still hot. Sure, there were men who shared women in the world. He simply didn’t know any of them. And he certainly hadn’t ever done so himself. Why hadn’t it been awkward? He should have felt guilt or at least some discomfort touching Adriana so intimately in front of Reid. Or fuck, watching Reid do so. But none of those feelings had surfaced. He’d felt nothing but…consuming arousal, and once again, heat.

He shook the thought from his mind. It was only for today. One day. He just prayed his friendship would still be intact when this was over.

Except who was he kidding? There was no way their friendship could survive this woman. Only one of them would win. The other would spend their life without her. The world wasn’t perfect enough for whoever got left behind to hang around like a third wheel. No matter how strong the binding was, Nolan for one knew for certain he would never forget how he felt about Adriana if she chose Reid. It was insane to think it could be erased.

“When are you going to call the police? They must be crazy wondering where you are,” Reid pointed out.

Nolan chuckled. “My dad called them last night. Told them they could take a chill pill for a few days since they failed to keep me safe. He was a bit livid. Wouldn’t even hint at where I might be, although I didn’t tell him. I doubt they care very much. Every day I’m hiding on my own is one more day they don’t have to foot the bill.”

“So we get this entire day before we have to return to reality.”

“What do you think we should do with our time?” Nolan wiggled his brows.

“I can think of a few things. Let’s make her forget this cabin exists.”

Nolan’s cock jumped to attention. The idea of what Reid was suggesting should have given him pause. But it didn’t. It made his arousal spike. He could do this.

The bathroom door opened, making both of them twist around to find Adriana standing behind them wrapped in nothing but a towel. “So, the worst part is not having clean clothes.”

Nolan opened his mouth to tell her Reid always kept spare clothing in the cabin and that the drawers upstairs were filled with various items she could go through, even things Nolan’s sisters had left on occasion.

For some reason, Reid interrupted Nolan before he could point this out. “Clothes are so overrated.”

Adriana rolled her eyes. She held her folded pile of clothing from the day before under her arm. “It was too warm in that tiny room to put yesterday’s clothes back on. I’ll go to the loft and do it.”

“Or not?” Nolan offered, feeling out what her level of playfulness might be.

“Sure,” she stated sarcastically. “That’s a great idea.”

“I’m not opposed to you wearing a towel,” Reid added. “Are you, Nolan?”

“Nope.” His dick was standing fully at attention now, but he wasn’t in disagreement. Not a bit.

“I mean it’s a bit too warm in the cabin now that you mention it. The fire is too high.” Reid stood and rounded the couch, sauntering toward her.

Nolan had no idea how his friend managed to get his legs to move, but he watched, wondering what Reid’s plan was.

A glance at Adriana told him she wasn’t buying this. She gripped the towel tighter and held out a hand. “Don’t even think of getting close to me.”

“What?” Reid asked in a mock-innocent voice. “I was just going to help you maneuver the ladder. Your hands are full. I should carry something for you.”

Like the towel, Nolan thought as he somehow managed to push to standing also.

She took another step back.

Reid was sharp though. He turned things around in a hurry. “Just kidding. There are some spare clothes upstairs. I’ll grab you something clean to wear.”

“Damn. I was hoping we wouldn’t have to tell her that,” Nolan communicated to Reid.

“Never underestimate me,” Reid returned as he climbed the ladder. Fifteen seconds later he was back, and he had a men’s T-shirt in his hand.

Nolan wanted to pump his fist. Instead, he watched Reid hand it to Adriana. “It’s huge. It will cover you.”

She eyed him suspiciously before turning her gaze on Nolan next. “Why do I get the impression you’re conspiring against me?”

Reid pasted on a ridiculous innocent look, his brows raised, his mouth open. “Us? No. Just being a gentleman.”

“By handing me almost nothing to wear,” she deadpanned.

He shrugged. “Suit yourself. Just providing options.”

Adriana yanked the T-shirt from Reid dramatically. “I hate putting on dirty clothes.”

Nolan wondered how deep Reid had dug in the drawer to come up with a white one. Again, he reminded himself not to grin.

Adriana’s gaze was narrowed as she turned back around and reentered the bathroom.

Neither man moved. Nolan wasn’t breathing.

Two minutes later, Adriana resurfaced, flinching when she found them in the same spots. “You two are acting suspicious. Stop it.”

She stepped around Reid and then gave a wide circumference to Nolan as well before lowering her sweet body onto the corner of the couch and tucking her legs under her. “Do you have anything to read in this cabin? I can’t even use my phone for fear it will die.”