One of Six (Den Hollows #1)

10. Essex

10

ESSEX

What am I doing?

Jealousy rises in me, which I fight to suppress. The girl has been through a lot, so who am I to complain if Atilio gives her comfort. As soon as Nico turned the boat around, my eldest brother laid claim to her. He'd sat down next to her and pulled her between his legs.

The questions have stopped, but her eyes are on me. They have been since Atilio moved her. I hold her gaze and can't look away.

In the grocery store, I told myself to keep my distance. The way my dick had gone rock hard when she ate that popsicle told me to stay away.

Her father is responsible for our father’s death. I don't blame her. Even though I'd fought about it in front of my mother and Atilio. I hadn't wanted my brother to go after the girl. It had totally backfired with the way he held her possessively.

My brother knows I have my eyes on her. It's not like I'm hiding it. I still can't look away. Her skin was soft under my touch. I didn't want to stop touching her. But I'm not an asshole. My parents raised me better than that. Maybe I went a little too far. But she liked it.

Galen stands in front of me and catches my scowl. "What the hell, E?" He moves and sits down next to me. "I thought you didn't like her."

"She's different," I confess, my eyes finding hers again. "I can't explain it. I feel in my gut that she is made for one of us, and that scares me. There is no way her family will let her stay here. You heard her about the asshole, Jason."

“That's the most you've said to me in years."

"Fuck off!"

He laughs and gets serious. "Look, Atilio claimed the girl. Leave it for now."

There is no answer for him because I know I must let it go. I won't hurt my brother. He's been looking for a connection with someone for a while. It's just bad luck for me that he found what he wanted in Bea.

Averting my eyes, I stand and stretch. I find my sneakers and pull them on so I'm ready to help dock the boat.

My brothers are moving too, so I move to the back. The pale green dress Bea was wearing is spread out on the side of the boat with her matching bra and panties on top. I reach out and catch my breath at the tiny panties in my hand, the lace soft to the touch. Without a second thought, I slip them into my pocket.

I pick up the dress and fold it, tucking the bra between the fabric. My brothers are not going to see her underwear.

Boone comes forward with a frown, his eyes darting between me and the dress in my hands. "What's going on?" he asks quietly.

"I don't know." A mirthless laugh escapes and I curse under my breath. "This isn't me." I thump his chest with the folded dress, which he takes from me. "Don't let her go in my clothes. It won't end well with her father if she does. Promise me that." I hold his gaze.

"I'll make sure Mom knows."

I nod. "I'll sleep out here tonight."

"You're acting weird," Boone mumbles.

It doesn't matter how I act if I'm sure Bea is taken care of. At least that's what I tell myself.

I hear my brothers talking as they leave the boat with the girl. I’m angry at the unexpected feelings churning in my gut as I climb up onto the wheelhouse. I already have some pillows up here.

Unless you know me, no one would think to look up here, which is why I like it so much.

I lie on my back and stare up at the dark sky. It's a clear night, so there are a lot of stars. Until tonight, when I helped Mermaid Girl onto the boat, I thought the stars were the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

Now I know differently.