Page 104 of Silver Sweet

“Phoenix, go,” Tom insists. “Go.”

Before he can try to drag me, I lead him toward another corner of the club where the couches are so worn that the leather is flaking. Unfortunately, all the seating is taken—some guys have their heads between their knees. Some girls are nudging water against their friends’ lips.

I take Tom’s arm and wrap it around my shoulders so he’s holding on to me, then I support him with a strong grip around his abs.

RJ has followed us, of course.

“Shitfuckshit,” Tom curses, eyes darting every which way. “He’s gone?”

“Your brother?” RJ whirls around toward the dance floor. “No. There he is.”

What…the fuck.

This isn’t the same brother who resembled Tom. Another one barrels toward us with a lengthy stride. His angelic face is the main similarity I’m able to distinguish in the strobing nightclub.

Flashes of red lights go in and out, illuminating the sheer purpose and intensity in his features, and then he’s cast into darkness. Only to appear five feet closer bathed in red. It immediately puts me on the offense.

His dark hair, with slight wave, curls at the tops of his ears. Three buttons of his shirt are popped open. Sleeves rolled to reveal floral tattoos ascending his arm.

A stoic man in a slim-fitted suit follows close behind, tugging at his own collar, lips moving like he’s speaking into a mic.A bodyguard, I assume.

Great.

Fuckinggreat.

Which Cobalt brother is this now? Why the fuck are there so many of them?

I’m still supporting Tom against my side. His weight must all be on me because I’m flexing hard to keep him on his feet.

RJ seems on edge, his gaze pinging from me, to Tom, to the incoming Cobalt. Is he scared of Tom’s brother?

“Fuck,” RJ mutters, then says a word or two in Russian, which might be another curse. He’s staring right at the dark-haired Cobalt like he recognizes him.

I assume this one must be the ballet dancer. The mutual connection.

RJ takes one step toward him. “Beckett. You remember me? RJ, Roxanne’s cou?—”

“You can go,” Beckett says in a leveled tone. It sounds like a firm command. And I know, right now, that this is not going to end well for me.

RJ exhales a long breath, then nods. “Yeah…okay.” He folds fast. “But Beckett.” Or not? He seizes Beckett’s yellow-green eyes that shift with threat. “Don’t leave Tom with him.” He motions his head towardme.

I narrow my eyes athim.Fucking really?

Turns out, it did matter that RJ doesn’t trust me. Because with five words, he just dropped a hydrogen bomb on my first impression with Tom’s older brother.I’m so grateful I’m holding Tom right now, or else I’d try to fight this motherfucker.

“Hey,” I call out to him. “What do you think I’m going to do?” I challenge RJ. “Fucking say it.”

RJ hoists his hands like he’s leaving Beckett to handle me. Then he raises two middle fingers at me while he walks backward toward the exit.

I grind my teeth and stop myself from worsening this situation.

Tom has a palm against his face. He’s peeking—and cringing—between his fingers at Beckett. “Heeeyyyyy, so funny seeing you here. Beckyyy.” Tom doesn’t reach out to his brother. He tilts his head against my bicep.

No part of me wants to let him go. I’m not going to, and I already know it’s about to be a battle between me and his protective older brother.

Beckett’s brows furrow in deep concern at Tom. But as soon as I come under his piercing gaze, I match the intense heat.

He looks at me like he could saw off my arms just for touching Tom. “I have it from here,” he says calmly but coldly. “You can go.”