Claimed by My Brother’s Best Friends

Chapter 4 Rising Suspicion

The afternoon sun poured through the heavy glass windows, but the atmosphere inside the large dining room was thick and extremely tense. I sat at the long wooden table with an open book in front of me, but I could not focus on a single word printed on the white pages. My body felt warm, and my heart was beating fast in my chest.

Every single time I tried to turn a page, I felt the heavy weight of three pairs of eyes watching my every move.

Lucas stood near the double doors, leaning his wide shoulders against the dark wood frame. His mess of brown hair fell slightly over his blue eyes as he stared directly at my lips. He was not even trying to hide his stare. Every time I looked up, his tongue would slowly move over his bottom lip, silently reminding me of the way he kissed me in the dark hallway last night.

Across the wide table, Luis sat comfortably in a leather armchair. He held a small glass of ice water in his right hand, swirling it around slowly. He had a knowing, wicked smile on his handsome face. Whenever I glanced his way, he would raise his glass slightly toward me, his dark eyes sparkling with dangerous secrets.

Sandro was standing quietly near the tall balcony window. He had his hands shoved deep into his black dress pants. He did not smile, and he did not move. He just stood there like a statue, his cold gray eyes locked onto my neck and chest. I could still feel the phantom touch of his large hand squeezing my waist and pulling me against his hard body.

Having all three of my brother's best friends in the same room, all silently claiming me with their eyes, was driving me insane. The heat rising under my skin was unbearable. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, squeezing my knees together as a quiet shiver ran up my spine.

"Why are you three standing around like guard dogs?" I whispered softly, keeping my head down so my voice would not carry across the house.

"We are just enjoying the view, little girl," Luis said smoothly, taking a slow sip from his glass. His low voice sounded warm and seductive in the quiet room. "You look very beautiful in that dress today. It hugs your body in all the right places."

"Stop talking like that," I muttered, my cheeks turning bright red. "Someone will hear you."

"Let them hear," Lucas growled softly from the doorway, taking three slow steps toward my chair. He leaned down over my shoulder, his broad chest almost touching my back. His hot breath brushed against the sensitive skin behind my ear, making me gasp. "You know you like having us watch you, Isabelle. Your heart is racing so fast right now."

"Lucas, back away from me," I begged in a soft breath, though my body betrayed me by leaning slightly back into his heat.

"Make me," Lucas whispered, his thumb lightly brushing against the bare skin of my shoulder.

Before I could answer, Sandro spoke up from the window, his low voice sharp and full of warning. "Step away from her, Lucas. You are being too loud."

"Do not tell me what to do, Sandro," Lucas snapped back, turning his head slightly but keeping his body close to mine.

"Both of you need to calm down," Luis chuckled quietly, setting his glass on the table with a soft clink. "There is plenty of Isabelle for all of us to share."

I bit my lower lip hard to suppress a soft moan. The way they spoke about me made my blood run hot with dirty desire. I wanted them to stop, but at the same time, I wanted to feel their hands on my body all over again.

"Is something happening here?"

The loud, harsh voice shattered the heavy tension in the room like glass.

I jumped in my chair, pulling away from Lucas instantly. My brother Nathan walked into the dining room with fast, heavy footsteps. His dark eyes were narrowed, and his jaw was locked tight. He looked furious as his gaze swept across the room, taking in the strange scene.

"Nathan!" I said quickly, my breath coming out in short, nervous gasps. I stood up from the table so fast my chair dragged loudly against the floor. "Nothing is happening. We were just... talking."

"Do not lie to me, Isabelle," Nathan said coldly, stepping closer and looking at me with deep suspicion. He turned his harsh gaze toward his three best friends. "Lucas, you have been staring at my sister all day like a starving animal. Luis, you keep smiling like you own everything in this house. And Sandro, you look like you want to kill anyone who steps within five feet of her."

The room went dead silent. My palms were sweaty, and I held onto the edge of the table to keep my hands from shaking.

Lucas let out a low, confident laugh, placing his hands in his pockets as if he did not have a care in the world. "You are worrying way too much, Nathan. We are just being nice to your little sister. She was feeling lonely down here."

"She is my sister, not a game for you three to play with," Nathan said angrily, his deep voice shaking with real rage. He pointed a finger at Lucas, then at Luis and Sandro. "I know how you guys operate with women. But Isabelle is off limits. If I find out any of you are playing dirty games with her behind my back..."

Nathan did not get to finish his sentence.

Suddenly, the loud, sharp ringing of a cell phone broke through his angry speech. Nathan reached into his suit jacket and pulled out his phone. He looked down at the bright screen to see who was calling, and in an instant, all the rage vanished from his expression.

His face turned completely pale with pure fear, his eyes widening as his hands began to tremble.