Jericho

***Author's note:

Please read book 1: Gunnar

Book 2: Ace 

Before continuing with this...

________________________________

JERICHO

I sat back in my seat and brought the crystal glass filled with a measure of whiskey up to my lips. The cool contrast against my hot flesh was welcomed, especially when I felt like I was suffocating in this suit. I wasn't used to it the way my elder brother was—wearing his midnight blue suit with pride and sophistication as he spun his wife on the dancefloor. This was probably the first and last time I would see Gunnar Astor dancing and all because his wife, Quinn Astor, wanted to have their first dance as husband and wife and wouldn't take no for an answer.

They were a great couple. I loved that she brought a smile to a face that had forgotten how to smile over the years. Sort of the way Miranda Grant had done with Ace, my middle brother. My brothers had each found the woman of their dreams and as much as I envied them, I was happy for them. I also hoped that I would one day be in their shoes.

The whiskey burned as it slid down the back of my throat, warming my blood. Again, whiskey wasn't my thing but I needed something strong. I loosened my tie with a low grunt but kept my features easy-going, a small yet tight smile playing on my lips. I had a feeling I wasn't fooling anybody with my facade but what else could I do?

My gaze gravitated to my best friend, Odette Gibson, and the plus one she had brought to the wedding. I honestly didn't think she would bring anyone but there he was, sitting next to her and making her laugh until her eyes crinkled and tears spilled down her cheeks. They were dating for a year or so. He was a cop as well.

Whip-di-fucking-do for them...

Maybe I was sounding like a jealous asshole but it wasn't that. I had known this woman for over ten years and I was well acquainted with the shitty fucks she chose as partners. Of course, she was still in the honeymoon phase where he could do no wrong but when push eventually came to shove, it would be me comforting her when she got her heart broken. It would be me sitting there while she cried her eyes raw, ate tubs of ice cream and ramen, and then binge-watched rom-coms.

"If glares could kill, cub..." Ace drawled, leaning toward me so he could whisper the words, "if you want him gone I might know a guy."

I offered him a flat glare, "Killing isn't the answer to all problems."

"I strongly disagree. I think it's the solution to every problem," Ace quipped, surprisingly in a cheery mood but I didn't know why I expected different.

Both Gunnar and Ace were in better moods as of late.

"If he fucks her over, have fun. But if he keeps her smiling like that," my stomach twisted at the thought because I somehow knew he would fuck it up. They always did, never seeing the gem of a girl that cared enough to give them her time and every other piece of herself, "then leave him alone. I just want her happy. She is my best friend after all."

"And you love her," Ace added with a shrug.

"Sure, as a friend. Like family," I hardened my glare, "we're just friends. There's nothing between us. You guys need to stop with all this nonsense."

And it was true. We were just friends. The greatest. More like siblings at times. I was her wingman when she needed me and her pretend boyfriend on other occasions when she needed to steer away from creeps in a club. Neither of us harbored romantic feelings for the other.

"God, it's been years. At least admit you like her," Miranda whisper-yelled beside Ace with a frown.

"I'm not admitting to something that's not true," I defended.

"We all see it, cub," Daniel joined in. I had to admit, I was a little surprised at how seamlessly he fitted into our family dynamic but I wasn't mad about it. I had no beef with the guy and he made good clientele.

"You all need your eyes checked," I grumbled.

"You're worse than Ace and when it comes to the denial," Daniel chuckled but I didn't find this funny.

I just sighed tiredly, "I hate the lot of you."

"Remind us to tell you 'I told you so' when you finally realize it," Miranda's smile was serpentine and I didn't fail to notice the proud gleam in Ace's eyes as he stared at her.

Pair of psychos.

We went silent when the group spotted Odette and her boyfriend making their way to the main table. A dull smile now tugged at her pink stained lips, the black material of her bridesmaid dress clinging to her toned curves and her moonlight blonde hair spilling over her shoulders in lush waves.

"Hey, Parker and I have to leave. We've been called in. I'm sorry we couldn't stay longer. Congratulate Quinn and your brother for me," she leaned over the table to brush her soft lips over my stubble-coated cheek, "see you around."

"Yeah," I responded evenly, my attention more on her scowling date, "I'll let them know. Duty calls."

"You're honestly the greatest, sweety" she gushed, tugging at the end of my tie, "stay out of trouble."

"I could tell you the same thing," I taunted, playfully tugging the end of her curly locks the way she did with my tie.

"Can't promise anything," she straightened, looped her arm with her date's, and shot me a wink, "have fun, though."

"Oh, we'll make sure he does," Ace responded, leaning back lazily in his chair so he could brace an arm at the back of mine. A malice grin spread across his face, the kind that dared someone to fuck with him so he could have fun showing them exactly what he was capable of.

Odette cut Ace an icy glare that was equally as terrifying as his, "Don't even think about it. I'm not bailing you guys out when whatever you have planned becomes out of hand."

"Thee of little faith," Ace dramatically sighed, shaking his head.

"I'll be fine," I reassured, trying to defuse the situation before the two ended up bickering. I was beginning to think that Ace loved annoying the hell out of people just for kicks, "go and give me a ring if you need anything."

"You know I will," she blew me a kiss before sauntering away with her date.

"Fuck, let me kill that asshole," Ace grumbled.

"He didn't even say anything," but it wasn't words, it was the way he openly sneered at me in disdain.

"He doesn't need to say anything for us to know he's a total dick," Miranda mused, "and she's only with him for the D."

"Too much information," my features crinkled in disgust.

"Well, she's not getting it from you," Miranda quipped.

I blinked in astonishment. Ever since the lot of them had met Odette they were trying to push us together. It was annoying but out of all of them, Miranda was the worst. I swear she and Quinn had once held an intervention for me.

"I'm not even going to justify that with a response."

"You don't have to," Ace shrugged, "it's not like she's wrong."

"I hate the lot of you," I hissed once again, standing to my feet just as the first dance ended.

"Where are you going? I thought you'd be spending the night here?" Ace asked, dropping his voice so only I could hear him.

"No thanks, I'm going to spend the night in my apartment away from all of you right after I speak to Gunnar," I stalked away, fists in my dress-slacks pocket, as I made a beeline to Gunnar and Quinn.

I honest to God couldn't wait to be done with the night. After congratulating them on behalf of Odette and myself and slowly backing away from my elder brother who shot me daggers for wanting to bail on him so early, I got into my car and drove to my apartment in Manhattan.

If only I knew my life would somehow get more complicated after tonight. Maybe I would have spent a little more time enjoying it instead of trying to escape it.