Rules Of Our Own (Rule Breaker Series Book 3)

“LOOKS like you’re all settled in,” Alex says, standing just inside my apartment door. He’s close to me but not touching. Instead, his hands are buried in his pockets.

“You didn’t have to do this, you know?”

“Kitten, the proper response is thank you. Maybe throw in some adoration. A little how will I ever repay you?”

A laugh bursts from my chest, and he grins mischievously. The last twenty-four hours have been rough, but he’s all fun and playful with a large spoonful of sexy as fuck. I shouldn’t be able to laugh. Not after getting fired, being terrified I was about to be attacked, then leaving my life behind to come here.

But here I am, cheeks burning from the pinch of my grin. That’s Alex though. It’s like a freaking superpower.

“I’ll make sure to remember that the next time I move into some guy’s house.”

He groans and stalks toward me, his eyes hot on mine. “Not funny, Kitten.”

I dance away from his attempt to grab me and smile impossibly wider. “You’ve always been so easy to tease.”

“Maybe I’m done teasing. Maybe…”

A thrill shoots down my spine. “Maybe what?”

Alex looks at the ceiling, taking several deep breaths before letting out an exasperated sigh. “Fucking River.” He rubs the back of his neck, shaking his head like he can’t believe what he’s about to say. “Nothing. We’ll talk about it another day.”

I raise a brow. I’m too unsure of my own feelings to push, and maybe that’s exactly why he stopped.

“Okay then. Thank you.”

His grin shows off his dimple. “My pleasure to have you, Kitten.”

My skin heats, and there’s a tug in my stomach to move close. If his first talent is hockey, and his second is making me laugh, then his third is the ability to make a simple sentence dirty.

He rubs his hand on the top of my head like you would a child, effectively breaking the moment. He’s already walking out the door when he calls back. “Don’t be a stranger. I hear your neighbors are superhot.”

“You are so corny.”

“You love it.” He winks, and then he’s gone.

And I’m left standing in my new entry. I kick off my shoes before exploring. I’d been so focused on the guys I hadn’t processed how huge this place is.

It’s a similar layout to River’s, but the windows face the west instead of the east, and the vibe is completely different.

River’s place has a crisp, modern aesthetic with clean lines and neutral colors, while Alex’s place is the epitome of relaxed comfort. Warm-toned wood cabinetry runs along the walls with built-in shelves that are filled with books. In the center of the room, an enormous L-shaped sectional takes up almost the entire side, its luxurious cushions beckoning me to sit down. A giant flat-screen television, equipped with surround-sound speakers, hangs on the wall, and an Xbox controller lies carelessly on the floor. An involuntary smile creeps onto my face as I think of Alex and River still playing video games like they did in college.

The place has notes of sweet coconut with salty undertones, and I can’t stop myself from collapsing into the leather cushions to take a second to process everything.

I’m living in Alex Grayson’s apartment while he lives next door with River Davis.

A giggle bubbles up my throat at how ridiculous it all is.

There’s a sharp knock against the wooden door, and I snap to face it. My heart pounds against my chest when it happens again. I freeze in place, every muscle on high alert.

“Mia Brooks. Open this door right now!” Piper shouts, and a wave of relief washes over me as my body relaxes. I stumble toward the door and swing it open to find Piper standing there with her hands balled into fists, her face red with anger. She pulls me into a breath-stealing embrace and whispers, “Are you okay? How could he do something like this? Why didn’t you tell us?” As she goes to pull away, a fire lights up her eyes, and she growls through clenched teeth, “I’m going to kill him.”

“Get in line,” says a muffled voice that sounds distinctly like Sidney.

Piper holds up her phone, and I bite my lips as Sidney glares at me through the glass. She looks like a concerned mom whose teenager came home after curfew. She takes a few visible breaths before asking, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m good.”

“Don’t I’m good me,” she shouts. “Your ex got you fired, then attempted to break into your home.”

“I wouldn’t go that far. He banged on the door.” I do my best to brush it off.

“Were you afraid he’d break in?” She searches my gaze, seeing the answer there. “Just as bad. It’s okay to be upset about this, Mia. We’re here for you.”

It’s like a dam breaks in my chest. I’d been holding myself together with the thought that I was overreacting, nothing happened, but with those quick words from her, the weight of the fear I felt hit my shoulders.

My eyes burn, and I sniff. “I didn’t think it would get this bad. I should’ve told you then he could have—”

Sidney’s voice is low and serious. “Listen to me, Mia, and listen well. None of this is your fault. Do I wish you’d told me he was escalating? Yes, but don’t think for a second you’re to blame for this. Now, tell us what happened.”

“Okay, but I’m going to need a drink for this.” I walk into the kitchen, open the fridge, and have to do a double take. River’s filled it with an impressive array of fresh produce, lunch meats, and snacks. There are tomatoes of all shapes and sizes, squash interspersed among kale leaves, lunchmeat piled high between bright orange baby carrots, and my favorite cheese slices tucked neatly in the corner. A warm hum fills my chest, thinking about him going out to get all this. I push a jug of milk to the side and smile when my fingers land on the cool metal cans.

I take the seat beside Piper and pass her a can of hard apple cider. She’s propped her phone on the coffee table so we can both see Sidney, who is looking at me with one raised brow. I explain everything that’s happened, their eyes growing wider with each revelation from Jason being at my apartment when I got home from Napa, him waiting at the hospital, getting me fired, and finally showing up at my place.

“Okay, so we’re agreed he has to die, right?” Sidney says, completely serious.

I choke on my drink. “You’re in politics. You can’t talk like that.”

“It’s only a problem if we get caught, and I’ve watched enough true crime to get this done,” Piper adds helpfully.

Can’t deny I’ve thought about it. I’d love to have the control over him he’s been using against me, but the reality is, the only thing I can do is stay away from him.

“Yeah…well…I’d settle for getting him nailed for stealing painkillers.” I take a long drink.

“Do you really think he did it? He has a lot of money,” Piper asks.

I put my cider down and rub my temples. “There’s a lot of things I thought I knew about him that don’t make any sense anymore. And yes, I think he used me as a fall guy to cover up whatever he was up to.”

“So we just need to prove it,” Sidney says, face filling the phone screen.Content provided by NôvelDrama.Org.

I rub one hand over my face. “Easier said than done.”

“We just need someone on the inside,” Sidney adds coaxingly.

The corner of my lip tilts up as an image of Kristie’s fierce smile comes to mind. “I’ve got someone. She’s another doctor on the unit, and I trust her.”

Sidney smirks. “Good because once we get a lead, I know a guy who can look into stuff like this.”

Piper and I both raise a brow at her, and I say, “What do you mean ‘know a guy.’ You sound like you’re in the mafia.”

“How do you think we dig up dirt on our opponents? Everyone has a guy in politics.”

A laugh escapes me, tumbling from my chest. It feels good to talk to them about it. And I know I should’ve told them right away. It just sucks so freaking bad.

I wipe away a traitorous tear and try to hide my face. “He ruined everything.”

Sidney’s eyes grow glossy. “We’ll figure it out. Jax and I are flying in tomorrow.”

I shake my head. “You don’t have to cut your trip short.”

Piper laughs, speaking to Sidney. “I’m honestly surprised you aren’t already here.”

“If flights weren’t so stupid from the Maritimes, I would be. Tomorrow, we’ll send the guys off to hang out, then we’ll come up with a plan. Everything will feel better when we nail down a plan to ruin that asshole.”

A smirk curves my lips, and I hold up my drink. “Cheers to that.”