Page 5 of My Ex's Billionaire Brothers

That’s what’s buzzing in my head. I can’t shake it. I’ve been waiting for the kind of person who’s wide-eyed and curious, not jaded or performing a role. A part of me wonders if that’s too tall an order in a place like this.

I glance back at the crowd, letting my gaze drift. After a moment, I spot Theo emerging from the back office downstairs, flipping through some papers. He looks irritated, probably found a discrepancy in our finances. He’s a perfectionist, always has been.

Movement by the entrance catches my eye. The bouncer steps aside to let a woman pass, and my pulse stirs when I recognize her. Everything in my head, the music, even the people gyrating on the dance floor, it all stops.

The woman is wearing a tight black dress that hugs her curves in ways that make my chest constrict. Loose brown waves cascade around her face, cheeks flushed as she looks around anxiously.

Anya.

My mind staggers for a second. Anya Markoff is my half-brother Calvin’s fiancée. The last time I saw her was almost a year ago. She was in pearls, a conservative little skirt, and a sweater set, smiling sweetly at family dinner in Mom’s mansion. And now here she is, stepping inside Sins alone, wide-eyed, obviously nervous.

I head down the staircase immediately, weaving through the crowd. If there’s one person Ineverexpected to see at a place like Sins—especially without Calvin—it’s her.

As I head toward her, I see one of our more aggressive doms approach, a man named Derek. He’s tall and broad, wearing a leather harness over his chest. He’s experienced, but a bit pushy in how he recruits new play partners. I watch as he leans in, speaking to Anya. She looks like a startled deer, eyes darting around like she’s trying to avoid a hunter.

I close the distance and place a firm hand on Derek’s shoulder. “This one’s with me.”

He lifts an eyebrow but steps aside. “Of course, boss. Didn’t realize she was spoken for.”

Anya exhales in visible relief, turning to me. The second our eyes meet, I see her tremble. She’s clutching her small purse so tightly her knuckles are white. Something’s definitelyoff.

I lower my voice, trying to sound calm and nonthreatening, but it’s hard to sound calm and nonthreatening when the music is this loud. “Anya. What are you doing here?”

She looks like she might burst into tears on the spot. Her lashes flutter, and she swallows hard. “Gage…I—” She falters, glancing around. The swirl of club music and the neon haze can be overwhelming if you’re new. Finally, she manages, “I just—I don’t know.”

I step closer so I can hear her over the music. “Are you alone?”

“Yes.”

“Where’s Calvin? Is he okay?”

The truth is, I’m more worried about her at this point.

Her expression crumples, tears glistening along her lower lashes. She attempts to speak, but her throat constricts. That’s it. I wrap an arm around her shoulders, gently guiding her toward the stairs at the side of the room that lead to the balcony offices. “C’mon, let’s get you somewhere quieter.”

She doesn’t resist. Up close, I catch the faint scent of her perfume, something floral and soft that I remember from that Christmas dinner. It stirs memories I shouldn’t dwell on. Likehow I couldn’t stop myself from wanting to slug my younger brother for talking to her first. Or wondering what her lips might taste like. What sounds she makes with that breathy voice of hers when she orgasms.

I tuck the thoughts back into my spank bank as I reach the balcony office door. No good comes from thinking about what might have been.

3

HUNTER

Not everyone can handle Sins.Some people come in, realize their mistake, and dart out. Others stick around, not knowing their limits until it’s too late. But for those of us weirdos who like their power games and pain play, Sins is home.

It gives me something to be proud of and a sense of independence from the rest of the Carver family madness. I need that more often than not.

Just as I’m about to head to the bar for a quick chat with the bartender, I see Gage move like a heat-seeking missile toward the entrance. There’s something in his stride that sets alarms jangling in my head.

Usually, the only thing that gets him moving like that is lack of consent in a scene.

I glance around to see who—or what—he’s after, and my heart about jumps into my throat when I spot a familiar curvy brunette in a tight black dress, looking like a lost lamb in a den of wolves.

What the hell is Calvin’s fiancée doing here?

A second later, I see Derek, one of our more forward doms, corner her with the sly grin he saves for when he’s sniffing out fresh blood. She’s obviously uncomfortable, but he doesn’t back off.

My gut twists. I’ve only met Anya a few times, but those times were enough to know she’s sweet and a bit shy. She has no business getting cornered by an overzealous dom on her first trip to Sins.