Page 18 of Filthy Twisted Devil

Luke shakes his head. “Of course not. Please, stay as long as you want.”

“Don't say that,” Jasper advises. “Reed will drink you out of warehouse and home.”

“We should be going anyway,” Wade grunts. “We’ve got a flight to catch.”

Relief floods through me as we stroll toward the exit. Wade hasn’t canceled their tickets, which means they bought my performance. I was supposed to go with them when Brinley drives them to the airport, but it’s probably best for me to eliminate any chances of accidentally blurting out the wrong thing.

“Actually, I’m gonna stay with Luke, if that’s okay.” I raise my brows at the Lockes. “Since some people rudely interrupted our date last night.”

Wade sighs and pulls me into a tight hug. “Just remember to call Mom.”

“I will,” I promise.

“Make sure you read that article I sent you about the woman who got kidnapped in Quebec,” Jasper says. “I know you didn’t read it the first time.”

“I will.” That one’s a lie.

Reed pats me on the back. “And don’t forget, you owe me forty bucks.”

“What? No I don’t!”

“Poker game, 2019. You lost on a pair of jacks. A Locke and a Lannister never forget.” Reed turns to Luke then, giving him a look that’s some combination of I see you and good luck with my sister.

As the guys leave, Brinley pauses and mutters, “See you back at the apartment in a bit? Then you can tell me what really happened.”

I nod. I know I owe her an explanation for what I was doing in that elevator with her brother. First, though, I should probably have a conversation with said brother, considering that I have no idea where we stand.

When the door closes behind Brinley, Luke locks it.

For the first time since those elevator doors opened, Luke and I are alone with nothing but the ambient sound of the distillery. Humming air conditioners, the whir of a dishwasher, and pure awkward silence.

Luke clears his throat and strides over to the bar, where he pulls out two glasses. He's halfway through filling the second one with straight whiskey when he looks up at me. “Sorry, did you want a mixer?”

“No, thanks.”

He finishes the pour, then tops us both off with a few drops of water. I know from the tour that it should bring out the whiskey’s aroma. He hands me my glass and takes a seat at a barstool. I sit next to him.

Then, I get to enjoy a long beat of silence as we both try to figure out how to act. Other than at the St. Regis yesterday, I can’t remember the last time Luke and I were alone together, without anyone else in the room.

“So,” he says.

“So,” I reply. “How did it go with my brothers? I didn’t hear all your conversation.”

“Oh, you know.” He shrugs. “Wade showed me the knife he planned to castrate me with if I took your virtue. It’s serrated, for the record.”

I perform a literal facepalm. I know Luke isn’t joking about that knife, because Wade has shown it to every boy who ever looked twice at me. “I’m so, so sorry Luke. My brothers are insane. Clinically. Which is most of the reason I’m still a virgin.”

“Makes sense. Reed told me that my rope days are over, too. That a real man wouldn’t sleep with you until you made a serious commitment to him.” Luke taps his ring finger suggestively. “Don’t worry. I convinced them you’re not just another notch on my bedpost. They may or may not be planning our wedding as we speak.”

I groan. “Those hypocrites! All of them have gotten around plenty, but I have to wear a chastity belt?”

“You’re right,” Luke says with surprising vehemence. “You’re a grown woman. It’s none of their goddamn business, and you’re allowed to do whatever the fuck you want.”

“Even sell my virginity to a stranger?” I can’t resist adding.

Luke sighs. “It’d really rather you didn’t, if it’s all the same to you. So, are we really in a relationship now?”

“As far as my brothers are concerned,” I say, shrugging. “They bought it.”