The Everest Brothers: An Alpha Billionaires Series

by S. L. Scott

  Ally walks in, and asks, “How are you doing?”

  “I don’t know anymore.”

  “You’re safe. They didn’t get you guys in Paris, and they can’t touch you here.”

  “How can you say that with such certainty?”

  “Because this is our life. When you’re with them, you’ll never be safer. This building is a fortress.”

  “But out there isn’t.”

  Singer puts the bowl of lemon wedges between us on the counter and rests her palms on the marble. “It wasn’t easy for me to come to terms with this life and the changes required for me to fit into Ethan’s life. He’d give it up if he could go back to the simplicity of life before he made his money, but there is no going back. So I had to move forward and accept that my life would never be the same either unless I gave him up. I can’t deny my heart. He’s worth the risks.”

  Ally squeezes a wedge into her water. With her eyes trained on the lemon, she says, “We always have protection. As for me, I’m used to it from growing up in a royal family, but you’ll get used to it, too.”

  The assumption that Bennett and I will be together burns like a hot fire on a cold night in my belly. I want to feed the flame and keep it burning. Whispering, I ask, “How did you know you loved them?”

  “Because I couldn’t imagine living life without him,” Ally replies. “My destiny was found in that man, and I’ve never been happier.”

  Singer says, “There is no life without him, not before we met, and not after we leave this earth. It’s us. We were always meant to be, and he makes me laugh. Most of the world sees the demanding man behind the empire, but he’s actually very charming.”

  “Bennett’s charming.” My cheeks heat, so I press my hands to them, trying to cool them down.

  They both smile, and then Ally says, “He is. So are you. It’s no wonder you were drawn to each other.”

  Singer comes around and covers my hand with hers. “You risked your life to save Bennett’s, Winter.”

  “I didn’t do enough sooner. The guilt eats at me.”

  “I know you don’t see it that way, but every time I think about what could have happened if they had gotten him that day.” Her hand leaves mine, and she holds it across her stomach. “I know I’ll have nightmares about it.”

  “You saved him. Thank you,” Ally says.

  So many emotions have played through my heart today, but I’m blown away by how welcoming they are. It’s been so long since I’ve had friends who are willing to fight for me. A lump forms in my throat, and both of them are quick to hug me. “It’s okay,” Singer says.

  When we return to the living room, Lars and Aaron are there standing like guards in front of the window. They’re very intimidating even when dressed casually. I’m tempted to salute them, but I resist.

  I sit down and set the water on the table in front of me. “I wanted to say thank you to every one of you. You’ve seen my good intentions through my bad deeds and accepted me like I’m one of your own when I haven’t earned that right.”

  “You don’t have to earn it,” Hutton says. “You’re given respect until you lose it. Kurt McCoy doesn’t live by the same rules. When you said you were a pawn, I’m afraid you were. But you saved Bennett at the risk of getting hurt, or worse, so now we need to make sure that you’re safe as well.”

  “Thank you,” I reply meekly. The care that fills the room is larger than this space can hold. They take me at face value, so I’ll do anything I need to repay them.

  The next question Bennett asks isn’t one that’s expected. “How did you know those men at the park were going to hurt me?”

  Despite all that I’ve said already, this is the hardest for me to answer, and as I look up to say the words, I can’t find my breath. All I can feel is darkness, menacing voices, rough hands manhandling me . . . the scent of humiliation. Terror.

  26

  Bennett

  Cliffhangers are the worst, and when I swept her out of the room, I doomed the others to the edge. But what was I supposed to do? Leave her there to hyperventilate until she passed out?

  Winter tugs at the sweatshirt she slipped into as soon as we returned. My sweatshirt. Barefoot, baggy clothes, clean face, and gorgeous. My girl. It’s easy to pretend she lives here when she walks around like she does.

  “Don’t worry. They understand.” This has become the longest day in history. “Everyone needed a break anyway.”

  “You didn’t have to save me. I owe them the story.”

  “Tell me instead.”

  Her foot starts bouncing again, but on an exhale, she says, “They’re the men who kidnapped me for Kurt. He doesn’t usually do his own dirty work.” She walks to the window, a great distraction that I seek for myself sometimes. “I heard the name Everest when I arrived at the park. It caught my ear. When I turned back to look, I knew who they were. Instantly. But they also knew who I was.”

  “That’s why it was best for you to come with me. I know you didn’t want to, but I don’t regret insisting.”

  “Your insisting saved my life.” Looking back over her shoulder, there’s the smallest of smiles but no anger. “I don’t think I’ve thanked you.”

  “Not in words, but I don’t need them. You’ve shown me.”

  I come behind her and wrap her in my arms. When she leans back, I can feel her heart pounding in her chest. “I’m sorry I’m not who you thought I was when we met. I was . . . not myself. It took me a week after arriving in Paris to orientate myself and try to make sense of my situation—how I got there, how long I would be there. I took Paris as an opportunity to be someone else, to be someone who people on the street admired instead of how I felt inside. It probably makes me sound crazy, but the little excursions kept me sane. Ish.”

  I turn her around and hold her face in my palms. “You’re exactly who I want and need.”

  “That’s what you are to me.” She lifts up and kisses me.

  Then I take over, kissing her because she needs to be kissed how she deserves, and because fuck, I need to have my mouth on hers, her lips parting, her tongue not sharp with words but soft with devotion.

  As I run my hands up the back of her shirt. Her skin feels like cream and is scented with fields of strawberries I start to pull the shirt off, but she stops me, and her gaze moves behind her to the windows.

  Protect her.

  I promised I would, so taking her by the hand, we move to the bedroom. I take my time to lower the blinds and turn on a lamp, keeping it dim, and then find a condom. I don’t want to ruin the mood by stopping later, but I don’t want to rush through it either.

  When I turn back, she’s standing naked before me. The confidence she showed in Paris is on full display here. The only differences are the grayish spots that line one side of her ribs and her jaw. I’m going to repay that fucker twofold for touching her and then make sure that the company doesn’t survive to the New Year.

  It’s not just the physical pain he’s caused her that I worry about. She fights between the low self-esteem other men decided she needed and the cultivated strength of a lion I know she can be. Going to her, I take off my shirt and the rest of my clothes. Standing in front of her naked, to show her she has nothing to fear. We’re equals. Equally vulnerable. I reach to caress her chin, and say, “I won’t hurt you. Not ever.”

  Her gaze drops to the floor. “I don’t remember what it feels like to live without pain. At least the bruises will go away.”

  “I can’t erase the past. I can only promise you the future and that I’m waging my life on.”

  She holds me as tight as she can. “I don’t want your life on the line. I don’t want to lose you.”

  And that’s when I realize that we may not have been together our whole lives, years, months, or even weeks, but my heart recognized hers the moment I laid eyes on her. Taking the days we’ve had and adding them to this feeling that we’ve known each other for a lifetime and cared about each other longer, it’s easy for me
to believe. “I’m not going anywhere except where you go, sweetheart.”

  Kissing her again, I pick her up and move to the bed to lay her down. She holds me to her, her arms locked around my neck. “You called me sweetheart, and there wasn’t a hint of sarcasm.” Sprawled on the bed like the lioness she is, she grins. “I think you like me. You might even more than like me.”

  “Busted. What gave me away?”

  She glances down. I could be embarrassed that my dick is bumping against her leg, or by how hard she gets me, but there’s no shame in it. She says, “You asked me my favorite song the night we met.”

  I climb on the bed and maneuver between her legs. Discovering the myriad of blues—cloudless springtime sky, deep ocean water, moonlight at midnight—buried in her eyes, I say, “I asked because I wanted to know.”

  “You asked because you cared to know. I don’t know that I’ve had anyone ask me a question that tells you who I am so simply. I’ve gotten by with a pretty face and prettier lies.”

  She kisses my nose, then my lips, and adds, “I know that I was rebelling to get my father’s attention. And I know why I dated the devil. So you and I may have met under terrible circumstances, but I don’t regret a day we’ve spent together.”

  Kissing me lower, she rolls me onto my back, and wet lips trail down my chest. Her breath is hot against my skin when she stops above my abdomen to say, “One way or another, because of fate or destiny, we were meant to be together. If only for a week or for eternity. I don’t know what’s in store for us, but I regret not valuing myself enough to wait for you.”

  I move her hair, so I get the full view of her lovely face. “There’s no point regretting what we can’t change. I don’t need to be your first, but I’m thinking last sounds pretty damn good.”

  “Charming.” She smiles like she stole a kiss from her crush.

  “Beautiful.”

  “Movie star.”

  “Cactus flower.”

  That makes us both laugh. But then her eyes dip closed as she slides between my spread legs. Peppering kisses around where I need her mouth, she teases, causing my eyes to fall closed. Keeping one hand in her hair, I sink into the mattress when she takes me into her mouth one torturous inch at a time. One of her hands covers the base while she uses her tongue and the lightest pressure of her teeth.

  Fuck. No way will I last.

  “Do you want me to come like this or be buried inside you?” I leave the question and then lie back, drifting back into the sensation. Her answer comes in the form of her mouth tightening around me. I place gentle pressure on the back of her head and let her devour me whole.

  There’s a freedom in falling, in letting yourself go as the heavier parts of life float in a different direction. It only lasts a few seconds, but there’s magic in making you forget your problems for just a little while.

  Winter looks up, a sexy grin in place. Her palms are on my abs, her fingertips tracing the ridges of my muscles. She lifts and slides up next to me, curling into my side. With my arm around her, my eyelids are heavy, the strain of the day beginning to get the better of me.

  Her eyes are closed, but I kiss her head, rousing her once more. “I want to make love to you.”

  “Is it okay if we stay like this?”

  “If we sleep, our night is fucked.”

  “Maybe we’ll fuck all night instead of sleep.”

  “How is it possible that I met my match?”

  That leaves her laughing. The sound is better than my favorite song. Rolling to the side, she rests her hands and chin on my chest. I open my eyes to find her sleepy blues looking at me. I want to devour her for the way she took me in her mouth, but for the first time in my life, lying next to a beautiful, naked woman isn’t all about sex. This—cuddling, talking, trusting—is both soothing and an aphrodisiac. Tracing my fingers down her spine and lower to her fine ass, I cup a cheek, and ask, “What?”

  “I hate to bring the negative to bed with us, but I’ve been wondering if you contacted my father or if he contacted you?”

  “Yeah, not exactly pillow talk.” Shoving a hand behind my head, I lift enough to keep my eyes on her. I’m not going to deny her the conversation since it all has to come out eventually. “He contacted me.”

  “Because he set us up.” The way she says that is so interesting. She’s sees him for who he is.

  “I stupidly believed he was worried.”

  “He plays a good game of poker.” Rolling onto her back, she flops her arm across my middle while the other hand’s off the bed. “How much was I worth?”

  “The deal?” She nods. I feel like such an asshole, but I have to tell her. “Eight million.”

  “He wasn’t going to sign the contract, Bennett.” She drags her hand across my body and then rests it in her lap.

  “I know that now.”

  “He doesn’t have the money. The company is in dire straits.” She sits up and straightens her legs on top of the covers. “I just remembered I told Singer I would go to the spa with them. I can cancel if you want me to.”

  I don’t want to ruin her time with my sisters-in-law, knowing all of them could use the peace. “You should go.”

  “I’ll just be gone for an hour or so.”

  “Take your time. Enjoy it. Do you mind if I tell the team what we’ve talked about?”

  “Of course not.” She leans over and kisses my head.

  Just before she climbs out of bed, I catch her by the wrist. When she turns back, I sit up and give her a kiss. I can’t believe those three little words are on the tip of my tongue. I scramble to replace them with four others. “You matter to me.”

  A sweet smile anchors her there, admiring me. She finally touches my cheek, running her thumb over my stubble, and says, “You matter to me.” Stretching back, she kisses me before she leaves.

  Smiling like a fool, I lie back with my hands behind my head. I think we kind of said it without saying it, but that will do for now.

  27

  Bennett

  I pull the food from the bag and set the containers on the island. For a brief second, I wonder if she’ll like what I ordered. Avoiding Italian, delis, burger joints, a repeat of steak from the other day, and knocking heavy carbs out of the menu made it tough to figure out what to serve for dinner.

  Ten minutes later, the wine is on the table, the dishes, silverware, and glasses are set. Since I’ve lived in Manhattan, I’ve not had a woman to my apartment for dinner. I’ve always taken dates to restaurants. Before Winter, I never felt this need to impress someone, to bring them into my home, and to have them be a part of my life long term. I do with her.

  Ally and Singer have stocked my place, so I light a few candles I discovered in the hall closet a few weeks ago and wait.

  . . . And wait.

  I should have ordered her a new phone today. Sucks not having contact when I want it. Checking my watch, she’s been gone an hour and a half. She must have gone for a longer treatment. Massages. Facials. These things take time.

  When my watch ticks to forty-five after the hour, I take a sip of wine, and then I just finish it. That was a bad pour. This time, I refill it with more than four ounces. I go for six. Then drink some more until our glasses are even again.

  Two hours . . .

  I get up and pace to the door and back a few times. “Fuck it.” I call down to the spa.

  “Good evening, Mr. Everest, this is Wendy. May I book a relaxation treatment for you?”

  “No, Wendy. Thank you. I’m calling to touch base with Ms. Nobleman. Is she available?”

  “No, sir, she left just about an hour ago.”

  “What do you mean?” I ask dumbly.

  “Ms. Nobleman checked out and left with Mrs. Everest and Mrs. Everest.”

  “Thanks, Wendy.” I hang up and call Singer. The words rush out as soon as she answers, “Is Winter there?”

  “Oh hello, Bennett. Nice to talk to you, too.”

  “Hi, is she with you?”
>
  “No—”

  “Call Aaron. She’s missing. I have to check the security video.”

  “Bennett—”

  I hang up and turn to run for the front door but am halted when I see Winter standing in front of me. “Winter!” I grab her, pulling her to me.

  Her arms come around my back and loop to my shoulders, her head tucked in my arms. “What’s wrong, Bennett?”

  “Thank God, you’re okay. I thought something happened to you.”

  The door flies open, and Lars rushes in but stops abruptly when he sees us. “Is she all right?”

  Pulling back, I look her over. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine. What’s going on?”

  “You worried me. You said you’d only be an hour. It’s been two, so I called the spa, and they said you left earlier. When I called Singer, she said you weren’t there.”

  “Because I was on my way here. The door was unlocked, so I came in.” Her eyes move past me, and she sees the table. “Is that for me?” she asks, smiling.

  I take a breath and step away. Rubbing my temples, I try to figure out why I lost my shit. She was in the building. She was safe. Turning to Lars, I say, “My apologies. I overreacted. Everything’s fine.”

  Walking to the door, he says, “You shouldn’t leave your door unlocked, Bennett.”

  “I know. I left it open for her. Now that she’s safe, I’ll triple check the locks after you leave.”

  He chuckles. “And so another one falls.”

  “Another what?” We step into the hall.

  “Brother.” He shakes his head, still laughing. “Call me anytime. That’s what I’m here for.”

  “Do you ever sleep?”

  “No.”

  “You need a life, man. Watching over ours twenty-four seven can wear a man down.”

  “When all is calm on the Everest front, I’ll take some time off. Until then, this is where I’ll be.”

  “Thank you.” We shake hands. “You’re a good man, Lars.”

  I walk inside and see Winter standing near the windows. Looking out into the night, she has a wineglass in her hand, her sneakers still on, and a small purse strapped around her.