Chapter Five

Hayden

The reason I had told him to strip wasn't because I wanted to see his body. Not exactly. I just needed to figure out what the hell was going on with me. All day, ever since he blurted out those words to me in the backyard, I'd been restless. I kept remembering the look in his eyes, the way his voice had sounded. And now, seeing him here, I needed to confirm for myself that there was nothing to it. Nothing to feel.

But of course, Kyle had to question everything.

"Why should I strip?" he asked, like he honestly didn't know.

I leaned back against the headboard, folding my arms. "You owe me one, Kyle. After what I did for you back then, do you really think you get to stand there and refuse?"

He scoffed. His face didn't look surprised at all, just tired, like he'd expected this from me. "I should have known you would never help me for free."

"I'm glad you remember." My voice sounded calmer than I felt. "Now, strip."

His eyes darted to the door as if he expected Jade to come barging in. "You know I can't do this here. Jade's downstairs."

"Do as I say, or I promise you, I'll find a way to make this more uncomfortable."

He let out a slow breath and looked right at me, then started working the buttons of his shirt. I told myself it was nothing. Just curiosity. We were both men, practically brothers. Even if someone walked in, there was no reason to read anything into it.

Still, I felt a tightness in my chest as I watched his hands move.

"Less talking. More pulling," I said, hearing the edge in my own voice.

Kyle rolled his eyes, but he finally slipped the shirt down his arms.

The light from the bedside lamp fell over him, and for a moment, I forgot how to think. His skin was smooth and pale, almost the same white as the sheets. His chest was slim, but the lines of his ribs weren't sharp; they just looked delicate. His waist was narrow, almost absurdly small for a guy his height, and it drew my eyes in a way that made me feel unsteady. His nipples were a soft brown and stood out, perky in the cool air of the room.

I pressed my thumb against my bottom lip, trying to keep my expression blank. My heart was picking up in a way that made no sense. This was nothing. This was just me proving that whatever was in my head was stupid.

But as I kept staring at him, I couldn't pretend I wasn't waiting to see if my body would betray me.

Impossible, I told myself. No way.

And yet, I could feel it already, some part of me reacting to the sight of him standing there, looking almost shy even though he tried to act like he didn't care.

Slowly, Kyle slid his thumbs under the waistband of his pants and pushed them down over his hips. My heart started hammering, and I couldn't do a damn thing to stop it. He stepped out of them, leaving himself in nothing but a pair of snug white briefs. The pale skin of his stomach drew my eyes like it was some kind of trap.

He hesitated for a second, then hooked his fingers into the sides of the briefs. I swallowed hard. My palms were starting to sweat. This was supposed to be about proving something to myself, but I couldn't remember exactly what anymore.

Just as he started to tug the fabric down over his hips, my phone rang, the shrill sound cutting through the thick air between us.

I looked away fast, pretending I hadn't been watching every inch of him. My jaw was tight, my chest too full. None of this was supposed to happen. I'd deal with it later.

"Let me answer this," Kyle said, his voice a little unsteady.

"Do whatever you want," I muttered, flicking my hand dismissively, trying to look as bored as I could manage.

He turned his back to me and lifted the phone to his ear. A second later, he went rigid.

"What?" he nearly shouted.

I sat up straighter. "What is it?"

He turned to face me again, his skin pale as paper, eyes wide. "It's Mom. She—she was rushed to the hospital."

"What?" My own voice came out louder than I meant. "How the hell did that happen?"

"I have no idea, Hayden," Kyle replied, already yanking his trousers back on with hands that wouldn't stop shaking. "Are you coming?"

I just nodded.

We left together without another word. The evening air slapped me in the face, but it didn't do a damn thing to cool the heat still crawling under my skin.

As we walked side by side, I tried to focus only on the next steps: getting to the hospital, finding out if she'd survive.

I didn't want her dead. Not yet.

I needed her alive long enough for me to prove what she'd done, and to make her pay for it.

We stepped out of the elevator and found Jade sitting on the bench under the tree. She stood when she saw us.

"Hey, guys, where are you going?" she asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

Kyle opened his mouth, but I cut him off. "We're heading back home," I said flatly. "Thanks for today."

Her worried expression softened. She came over and hugged me. "All right. Take care."

"Yeah," I muttered.

Kyle waved goodbye, and we headed to the car. Once we were inside, I started the engine.

"Why didn't you tell her the truth?" he asked, buckling his seatbelt.

"And have her come along? No, thank you," I replied.

He didn't argue. Just shrugged like his shoulders, which almost annoyed me more.

When we reached the hospital, a nurse at the reception desk led us down the hall. I kept my eyes forward, forcing my mind to stay clear.

The moment we stepped into the private room, my stomach clenched.

There was a man sitting by the bed, holding her hand. Even in the pale glow of the bedside lamp, I recognized that face. Alpha Maddox.

Of course it would be him. I'd worked in his garden and pack mansion a few times when money was tight. He'd never so much as looked me in the eye. The Alpha never bothered learning the names of the workers who cleaned his expensive house.

Except this time, apparently.

He turned, his gaze sweeping over us. His voice came deep and confident, as if he was already claiming everything in sight.

"So…you're my step-sons, yes?" He smiled faintly. "Or should I say my upcoming step-sons."

I swallowed the bitter taste in my throat. The way he said that made my skin crawl.

"I'm glad to see you both," he added, walking closer.

Kyle shifted awkwardly before giving a shy smile. "I feel…excited seeing you face to face, Alpha Maddox."

"Just call me Dad," Maddox said with a laugh that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Your mother and I will be married very soon."

I clenched my jaw, pretending to smile as Kyle introduced us. "My name is Kyle," he said softly, "and this is my brother."

Maddox turned fully to me, studying my face in a way that made my skin prickle.

And right then, I made a silent vow. If this man thought he was going to take over our lives, take her hand in marriage and parade around pretending to be some noble father. Then, he was mistaken.

Fine. Let them go through with the wedding. Let them play house for a month, maybe two. I'd make sure it all crumbled before it had a chance to look real.

That was my mission now. I'd destroy this before it destroyed me.

But just as I was about to look away, Maddox's eyes narrowed in recognition.

"Are you the one who came last night to clean up my room?" he asked, his voice lower, more thoughtful. "You did a good job, by the way."

My heart slammed against my ribs. I did that because I needed some money. The housekeeper fell ill, and I was called to do the work.

But how?

How the hell did he remember me?

And worse, why did he look so damn certain.