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Editor: Laura Hampton

Photographer: Blue Sky Images

Introduction

What began as a half-baked scheme to help his brother win the man of his dreams has become a tailspin Joss can’t escape. His actions and secrets have kept him from making any real claim on the woman who captured his attention years ago.

But secrets have a way of coming to light.

Maddox has known from almost the beginning Joss has been playing games with his life. What he doesn’t realize is how deep the man’s deception runs. When Cade and Dylan’s wedding reception brings everyone together in one place, the entire story is revealed with a little help from Benton.

And Hell hath no fury like a man with nothing left to lose.

The implosion Joss has braced for has finally come to pass, changing everything forever. With Jamie and Hawke in another country, enjoying their happily ever after, Maddox is about to teach Joss a valuable lesson in toying with other people’s lives.

What happens when bad decisions, manipulations, good intentions, and misunderstandings combine? It’s an Ugly Eternity.

Dedication

For Robin French, who kept an open mind and believed in my vision even when Ugly Eternity pissed her off.

Chapter 1

The raucous nightclub seemed twice as loud as it should to Benton’s pounding head. Jamie and Hawke were damn lucky he loved them, otherwise he’d be lit out of his head and stumbling to bed about now. Not necessarily his bed or to sleep, but he certainly wouldn’t be at Khronos, pushing his way through scads of people to reach someone he didn’t care to see.

There wasn’t a band playing. Benton bit back a sigh. Ugly Eternity played every weekend. He’d been banking on it. It was just his luck he’d arrived while they were off stage. If they weren’t there, he would be mega brassed. Pushing his way toward the bar, Benton recognized a familiar face working on pouring a round of drinks. Of course, it wasn’t hard to spot Dylan. He stood a good foot taller than everyone else in the place. The man’s brown hair and blue eye combo had people begging him to take their money for drinks they probably didn’t want. Benton almost made it to the man’s side.

Warmth seeped through the rear of his pants, sliding across his ass before tightening and squeezing. Benton clenched his back teeth as he glanced over his shoulder. A tiny red-haired woman smiled up at him, unrepentant. Benton’s protest died on his lips. Hawke’s sister, Sophie, never pretended to be anything other than her real self—outrageous and totally shameless. He liked it. A smile stretched his lips to the point of making his cheeks ache. He’d fully expected this errand to be akin to a trip through hell, but Sophie … that was a different matter.

“You should see your face,” Sophie said, yelling to be heard over the crowd.

“I do, several times a day actually. It’s quite magnificent.”

Sophie’s eyes flashed with humor, but she didn’t argue. Huh. He really liked it. Someone knocked into her from behind, pushing her forward. Shifting the case he was carrying from one hand to the other, Benton reached out, steadying her.

“Are you unharmed?”

She shot an annoyed look over her shoulder before focusing on him once more. “Yeah. Let’s hit the bar. It doesn’t look as crowded over there.” She nodded toward the opposite corner. Following the line of her gaze, Benton spotted the empty space she’d indicated. Benton held onto her arm while making a path for them. By the time they reached their destination, he was considering the merits of buying a rape whistle. These people had no boundaries. He was certain two women and at least one man had grabbed his junk. It was no wonder Hawke hated this place. Of course, Hawke had bigger reasons, but still.

“Are you joining the band?” Sophie asked glancing toward the case in his hand. He’d almost forgotten he was carrying it. His whole concentration had been fixed upon the safety of the goods in his pants.

“Do you hate everyone here?”

A line appeared between Sophie’s eyes. “What kind of question is that?”

Benton shrugged. “I can only assume you hold some grudge toward the patrons of this club if you wish to thrust my musical hackage upon them.”

Instead of laughing, as he’d hoped, Sophie tilted her head to the side, inspecting him as if he was some never-before-seen object she found fascinating. “How did you end up in the music business if you have no musical ability?”

“I didn’t say that. While it’s true, I can’t play an instrument, I can hear every note and missed note. I can break down every song I hear by chord and rebuild it into something unique. More importantly, I’m very, very good at selling musical talent to the unsuspecting.”

By the time Benton finished his claim, Sophie’s playful expression had turned serious. She seemed genuinely invested in their conversation. Silence stretched between them as her emerald gaze searched his. He saw her brother in her at that moment. No one broke people down with their eyes the way Hawke did. It seemed Sophie shared his intuition.

“Be careful, Benton East,” she said, almost too quiet for him to hear. “You’re in danger of showing your true self.” At her warning, Benton’s practiced and carefree smile snapped back in place. Sophie smirked.

“Do you know if Joss is here?” he asked before she could say whatever was in her head. Benton intentionally kept everyone except Hawke at arm’s length. He’d seen too much in his life. People were users. All of them—everywhere. Once again, Hawke was the only exception. That’s why the man was his best friend. Sophie was Hawke’s sister. Best he moved along.

Glancing around, Sophie went up on her toes. “He is … somewhere. Hold on.” She waved at Dylan, snagging the man’s attention. He moved to their end of the bar, all smiles and youthful good looks. It was no wonder Ugly Eternity’s sexy drummer, Cade, was enamored with his other half. There was no denying the pair made a delicious couple—if not an odd one. While Dylan was a bit hipster, Cade was hardcore tattoos. The story of how they’d ended up together was one Benton would love to hear. For now, he had more pressing issues.

Dylan’s gaze moved between them. “What can I do for you?”

Sophie beat Benton to the punch. “Can you snag Joss for me? I’m too short to find him in this mess.”

Dylan inspected the room before focusing somewhere over their heads. With two fingers in his mouth, he released an ear-piercing whistle before motioning toward the bar. He focused on them once more. A boyish smile flashed across his face. “Does that work for you?”

Sophie’s flirtatious nature never wavered. The fact that it was wasted on Dylan didn’t seem to affect her in any way. “Thanks, doll.”

Dylan dipped his chin. “Is there anything else I can do for you?” He switched his attention Benton’s way. Dylan’s eyes hardened when they landed on him. An inner sigh rang through Benton’s head. He would always be that interloper who’d stolen away with a member of the band by signing him with Guillotine.

“I’m good, but thanks.”

Sophie scoffed. “Awww, come on, Benton. Don’t get all stuffy Englishman on me. Let me buy you a drink.”

Joss appeared at her side, saving Benton from responding. Snagging Sophie’s waist, Joss pressed several loud kisses to the side of Sophie’s face before he spotted Benton and froze. Benton’s eyebrows hit his hairline at Joss’ actions. Not his business. He would not get involved. Joss’s happy visage drained away at the sight of Benton. He straightened away from Sophie.

Joss reached past Sophie, holding out his hand. “I didn’t realize you were in town.”

In spite of his dislike of the man, Benton accepted his handshake. “Just passing through.”

“Business or pleasure?”

“Neither,” Benton admitted. “I’m here for you.” He didn’t care if he sounded like a dick. This man had done harm to his friend. Benton wouldn’t soon forget it. Perhaps Hawke was willing to forgive and forget. Benton wasn’t as nice. Once he met a son-of-a-bitch, he never forgot their name. If anyone other than Hawke had asked him to do this, he’d easily have said no. Unfortunately, he’d never been able to deny Hawke. He tried not to let his bitter feelings toward Joss interfere. “Your brother is in Canada. His schedule is too fierce right now for him to do this personally, but he didn’t want you to think he’d forgotten your birthday.”

Joss snorted. “Being as how we’re twins, the idea never crossed my mind.”

“Nonetheless,” Benton said, passing the case over to Joss. “He wanted you to have this on your birthday, and he didn’t want it to arrive by some cold deliveryman.”

A humorless laugh filled the space between them as Joss accepted. “Yeah, ‘cause this is so much better.”

Sophie elbowed him in the ribs. Joss winced but pressed his lips together. Dylan, who was still lingering at their side and shamelessly hanging on every word, cleared a spot on the bar so Joss could set the case on top. He flipped open the lid. A white 1949 Fender Broadcaster caught the light and gleamed at everyone leaning over the open guitar case.

“Holy shit,” Joss said, dragging out each syllable. He gently pried the guitar from its case, holding it reverently. “This must’ve cost 300K at least.”

“Three seventy-five, actually,” Benton said without an ounce of shame. “Although Jamie and Hawke understand this in no way replaces having them here in the flesh, they hope you know they’re thinking of you and will forgive them.”

Joss didn’t look away from the work of art in his hands. “Are you kidding me? I can totally be bought.” He finally focused on Benton. “Thank you. I know this is probably the last thing you’d choose to do with your time.”

It was the man’s birthday. For that reason alone, Benton swallowed his dislike for a moment. “Hawke is the one you should thank. I did it for him.”

Joss turned his head, hiding his reaction. “Please pass along my thanks.”

“I will, but you should tell him yourself.”

Even with his face turned away, Benton caught Joss’s rueful smile. “He doesn’t want to hear it from me. This is awesome,” Joss said, changing the subject. Benton let it go. Not his business, he reminded himself once more.

“Your brother would be thrilled if I could report back you’d played this beauty while I was here.”

Dylan snagged the case and slid it behind the bar. “I’ll keep an eye on this for you.”

BOOK: Heart's Duo (Ugly Eternity #4)

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