Chapter 2

If Toby kept a chaotic, upside-down sleep schedule, then Shane's routine was almost scarily strict.

He was always in bed by ten o'clock, unless he had urgent business to attend to.

But tonight, it was already past midnight, and the spot beside me was still empty.

Was the news of Toby's return really that big of a shock to him?

Was Shane worried that Toby would try to take a piece of the Beasley family's business?

Or was he staying up late to make plans for Toby, out of sibling loyalty?

I didn't want to guess, and honestly, I was too afraid to.

All I wanted was to make a break for it.

The things one of the Beasleys had said at the dinner table kept replaying in my head.

Someone said, "Toby might seem cheerful, but he's obsessive. If he wants something, he has to have it. If he can't get it, he'll just destroy it.

"His father locked him in the study to stop him from painting once, and he started a fire in there with a stick and some wood.

"He's actually volunteering to come home for the holidays this time. Says he's looking for someone, but he won't say who. We could help him look if he'd tell us."

I had been terrified listening to it then, and just thinking about it now sent a cold sweat down my spine.

I grabbed my phone and started booking a ticket in the middle of the night.

If I could lay low for a bit, maybe Toby would calm down and forget about it.

I was just about to pay for the ticket when the bedroom door was suddenly thrown open.

I didn't have time to hide my phone. I locked the screen, closed my eyes, and pretended to be asleep.

Shane carried a trace of alcohol on him, with a barely there hint of tobacco.

He didn't get into bed. He stood still, right in front of me.

I heard the soft rustle of his clothes, and then warm, slightly damp breath fanned across the side of my neck.

Then his fingers pried my hand off the phone, one finger at a time.

He laced his fingers through mine, his touch slow, soft, and careful.

Shane's voice came out cold and dark. "You're not going anywhere until Toby gets here."

Every alarm bell in my head went off.

Did being platonic run in the family? What about being obsessive and possessive?

Were the two brothers going to team up to get back at me?

I'd run first thing tomorrow morning.

*****

I had always been someone who got things done quickly and efficiently. Shane left the house bright and early the next day.

I packed my bags and made my escape just as early.

Micah Gordon, the driver, had worked for me for years.

As soon as he got the word, he found a nondescript van and waited by the back gate of the house all night.

I dragged two suitcases behind me, huffing and puffing.

I stopped to wipe sweat off my forehead, and a nice voice suddenly sounded beside me. "Let me help you with those."

The weight was suddenly lifted from my hands.

I rambled out my thanks, straightening up to see who my helpful stranger was.

Then I saw a face I knew all too well.

His skin was flawless, his eyes hazel, and when he smiled, those sharp canine teeth flashed.

It was Toby.

I hadn't seen him in six months. He had lost a little weight.

His eyes looked bigger, his long lashes casting shadows down his cheeks. The bright, sunny boy I had known had a dark, unhinged edge to him now.

But to my surprise, he didn't seem to recognize me.

The next second, Toby grabbed my wrist hard.

His grip was so tight I could feel my bones grinding together.

"Stealing in broad daylight? Did all the security guards die or something?" he snapped.

I opened my mouth to cry out in pain, but his words made me freeze.

I suddenly remembered I was wearing sunglasses, a face mask, and a baseball cap.

There was a van parked a few feet away.

Yeah. I definitely looked like a thief.

I lowered my voice, trying to sound apologetic. "I'm sorry, Mr. Beasley. I'm just a maid who got fired. Please, let me go."

Toby tilted his chin up slightly. "Mr. Beasley? So you know who I am?"

I froze, not daring to utter a single word.

Damn it. I had forgotten this house was the one Shane had bought after we got married.

The Beasley family had kept Toby so well hidden that they had never even told the public he existed.

There was no way a random maid would know who he was.

Backed into a corner, I went for broke.

Toby was a bit of a neat freak and couldn't stand physical contact.

I threw myself at him, wrapping my arms around him tight, and leaned in like I was going to kiss him through my mask.