Page 32 of Code Violation

The least I can give Silas is my truth.

“I’ve always wanted the big family, the white picket fence, and a loving husband. The ‘perfect life,’ as society often portrays it.”

Silas considers my answer for a second. “Do you think you feel that way because you’ve only had your sister? I know your parents divorced when you were young.”

“Maybe,” I muse. “Mom and Dad never really wanted kids; they were too wrapped up in their own careers. And Mom …” I scoff. “She slowly stopped returning my calls after I moved out. I barely hear from her anymore. I think if I were an only child, their lack of interest in my life would’ve hit me harder. At least I have a sister, even if we rarely get a chance to see each other.”

“I think of myself as an only child.”

Silas’s statement has me rearing back.

“Or at least, I do now,” he continues. “Sure, I technically have a brother, but we’re nothing alike, even if we do share a biological mother.”

The sadness in Silas’s eyes settles inside me, and I search beneath the duvet until I find his hand, bringing it back to my hip.

“Do you want a family one day?” I whisper.

We aren’t together or dating, but the question feels sizable regardless.

Silas’s hand tenses. “I’ve never really thought about it. Never really allowed my brain to go there because I haven’t dated anyone seriously enough.”

“I get that,” I say. “In the beginning, Kane felt like he could be dad material. Now, I can’t think of a more unsuitable father if I tried.”

We lock eyes again. This time, I’m sure he’s going to kiss me.

Silas wets his full lips, gaze moving between my eyes.

“I’m not hiding anything else from you,” I say. “Kane’s number is still blocked, and it will be forever.”

He grins, obviously amused at how easily I can read his thoughts, although I can’t deny the relief as it flashes through his intense eyes.

“Nearly all of my life—whether on the ice or off it—I’ve let my fists do the talking, just so I don’t run the risk of letting people see the real me. But with you, Ves, you seem to have this way of making me crumble whenever I set my eyes on you.” He laughs to himself. “Like now, for instance. I should be climbing out of your bed, pulling on my shoes, and heading home. Not thinking about how I can kiss you and slide my hand from your hip to between your thighs.”

I squeeze my legs together, anticipation settling as a needy ache in my core.

“My brother, for all intents and purposes, is a fucking idiot.”

I almost choke on my own breath, caught between a laugh and a scoff. “Go ahead, Si. Say it like it is.”

At this point, our lips are mere millimeters apart, although I don’t think tonight will be the time he kisses me. If it was, then he’d have done it already. Silas has always struck me as a guy who will take what he wants when he thinks it’s right.

“Okay, Knockout, since we’re playing that game, then I’ll elaborate. He’s a fucking idiot to let such a beautiful woman slip through his hands and into mine.”

11

. . .

Silas

Kane’s place is worse than usual when I push through his partially open front door and step into the hallway.

An empty beer bottle sits on the console table, which I know belongs to Vesper because she came home with it one day after work, having found it in a thrift store. The way I want to rip it from his apartment and march it back to my girl only kicks up my rage another notch—something that’s already been simmering for the past five days since I left Vesper’s place the night after we shared a bed.

Nothing happened; we didn’t even kiss. Did I want to? Absolutely I did, but Vesper needed my presence to feel safe, not for me to take advantage of a situation, which she could go on to regret the next morning. If and when she ever wants me for more than a friend, it will be on her terms and because I’m certain she’s comfortable.

Unlike this fucking asshole.

“Kane.” My voice echoes through the apartment, a sharp edge to it, which I don’t attempt to hide.