I feigned indifference and turned away, only to catch sight of Lexi cautiously walking down the stairs. When she neared the bottom, she turned around to run back up, but then Austin caught her arm.
She not only stole his breath but also his words. Austin pulled his mask over his head and gaped at the beautiful woman before him. All he could do was look upon her with reverence. I felt as if I’d been transported back in time, watching a courtship between two lovers amid the glow of a magical evening. He lightly bowed, giving her a mischievous look as he coaxed her down to the bottom of the stairs. I’d never seen a man so proud. His chest must have doubled in size when she took his arm.
I’d honestly expected the man to back her into a wall and yank up her dress. Maybe my idea of what Shifters did at these parties was all wrong. Austin led her around the room as a gentleman would a lady.
I waved at Moreland, who was preoccupied at the snack table. They’d locked him in one of the cells when Delgado’s men had captured us, but he hadn’t been hurt.
An arm snaked around my waist from behind. “You’re under arrest,” Wheeler whispered. “Come with me.”
Wheeler turned us around with his arm still hooked around my waist, and we slipped into the lounge where April often read. When the door closed, he pinned me to the wall and pressed his entire body against mine. All I could see of him were his eyes and mouth.
I let my hands slide around his belt. “Mmm, are you going to perform a search, officer?”
He growled and then his fingers carefully worked at the laces on the back of my dress. I furrowed my brow when he suddenly unzipped his pants. “Suck on me.”
“Kiss me.”
He leaned in for a kiss, and that’s when I knew. I pushed him away and he moved back against me, trying to kiss on my neck.
“Hurry,” he whispered.
“Get off me, Ben.” I shoved him again.
“How did you know?”
“Do you really think you’re that much alike? You might fool me with your eyes and height, but when I get close enough, the differences are obvious. I know Wheeler’s smell, the taste of his kiss, and the way he undresses me. Wheeler would never haul me into a room and demand I get on my knees. Do you know why?” I moved away from the wall. “Because he’s not selfish.”
Ben reached out and cupped my elbows. “You’re not just a little bit curious? No one has to know. We’re alone in here. Even if someone finds out, they’re not going to blame you. Come on, it’s not like it’s cheating. Same body, same large cock—”
I slapped him so hard his head turned to the side. Not the same impact as I’d hoped for since he had on the facemask made from a thin material. Ben turned his sharp eyes back to mine and I slapped him again. His police hat fell to the floor and I shoved him back.
“Don’t you ever put your hands on me again, and don’t compare yourself to Wheeler. You’re not even in the same league. I may have to live in this house with you, but there’s nothing in the rules that says I have to like you. And while I don’t know what happened with Delgado capturing Wheeler, I’m positive you had something to do with it. Wheeler told me all about you.”
Ben slowly pulled off his mask and tossed it to the ground. “What the hell did he say?”
“That you’re a manipulator, a liar, a thief, and selfish. Don’t you even care about him? He’s done so much for you since you were little boys. Can’t you appreciate all that he’s sacrificed for you? He’s the one with the tarnished reputation—all because he was protecting you. Wheeler loves you. Why do you keep using him?”
“Shut your mouth. You don’t know a goddamn thing. Nothing but a stage whore, and that’s about the best he can do. I’m sick of his guilt trips. You help family; no questions asked. I bring money into this house, and so-fucking-what if he has to lend me some?”
“What about the cage fights!” I shouted.
Ben came at me like a hurricane and covered my mouth. “Shut your mouth before someone hears. I feel like shit about it, but better him than me. He’s nothing but wasted talent.”
I knocked his hand away. “You ruined him. After the cage fights, how could he go back to his life with a damaged reputation? What sense of normalcy could he possibly feel? Did you even ask him what he suffered through—what he had to endure for your freedom?”
“What’s done is done,” Ben said ruefully, and I could sense he wasn’t an evil man. There was no black sheep in this duo; there were only two brothers struggling to make sense of their identity.
“How many times are you going to keep doing it? When does it end? He’s mine now. You can’t have him. I won’t allow you to use him anymore to save you. What you’re doing is out of control, and you need help. It’s an addiction, and you don’t even recognize it. You keep justifying your actions because it brings money into this house. The next time you’re in trouble, you better find a way to save yourself.”
“You fucking whore!”