Page 2 of Shamelessly Loyal

“Oh, you've got to bekiddingme.” I did not want them here.

Adam Reed, the son of the man my mother acted as mistress for. I adored Adam’s mother, she was a kind woman. The absolute best. His father was awful and Adam couldn’t decide which parent to take after. Worse, he randomly decided he was the boss of me one day and seemed to make it his mission in life to control everything I did.

No, thank you.

Next to him? Ezra Graham. Clearly, because where else would Ezra be. He didn’t have a single thought of his own that Adam didn’t allow him. Except—every once in a while when Adam was absent, Ezra seemed to rediscover he had a soul.

Today was not going to be that day.

“Ignore them,” I told Em when she suddenly put herself between me and them. The utterly selfless act didn’t take into account how dangerous those two were. I’d seen them do some truly awful things, but I understood discretion. Maybe a lot more than they knew.

“Who is he?” Em asked and Adam flicked her a dismissive look before he focused on me. Yes, he hated the Sharpes. I was aware. He still didn’t get to tell me who my friends were.

"Do you have any idea how long it took me to find you?" Adam practically growled.

"Not long enough," I informed him. How had they even known I left the school? They should have only justnownoticed my absence. This was not acceptable. I’d been careful in my planning. "And this is my mother's lover's son, or as I like to refer to him the human version of period cramps."

Ezra burst out laughing, despite Adam’s glower. So happy I could entertain. Now, to get Em back inside safe and sound.

"If you wanted to come see your friend," Adam said finally, sparing her a brief look before he focused on me again. "You should have just said something."

"Adam Reed, I don't have to tell you anything. In case you missed the memo, let me be clear, you're like a cloud. A big, dark, ugly storm cloud and when you go away, it's a beautiful day. So, buh bye." I ignored the reproach in his eyes that quickly tumbled right back to fury.

Pissing him off had become my personal hobby even when I didn’twantto make him angry. He was always angry with me. I guided Em past him and did my best to ignore the snickers and snorts from Ezra. I had to wonder if he had been drinking or doing something else recreationally.

Nothing in this conversation was funny.

"We came all this way and we're not leaving until your ass is in the car with us and on the way back to school,” Adam informed me.

"Sorry, my ass doesn't detach—unlike your personality. Maybe you should put a bag over it or something,” I tossed the last comment over my shoulder as we went inside. All the way to the elevator, they shadowed us.

Apparently my lack of cooperation stymied them.

"Six in the morning," Adam ordered. "Meet us down here and don't try to sneak off somewhere."

"Six?" I snorted. "Too bad your brains don't match your looks. I'll be down by ten." I kept my composure as the doors closed and then added, "Maybe." All the way until the doors themselves shut, I’d expected Adam to just pick me up and march off.

He’d done that before. I was pretty capable, but he was a lot bigger than me. I didn’t want him to scare Em.

"That's Adam?" Surprise flickered in Em’s voice. She knew who Adam and Ezra were. I’d told her about them.

"That's Adam," I confirmed.

I used to have the biggest crush on them both. Adam had been my hero in some ways. Then one day, he’d turned into a demon and hated having anything to do with me. Yet, here he was, following me around.

Again.

"He must care if he came all this way." The hope in Em’s voice made me sad.

"Adam lives to make my life hell. So, if he wants to wait until morning. He can wait. It's your birthday and we're here to celebrate." I would fight them every step of the way if they tried to make me leave. “You shower first,” I told her. “I’ll get room service.”

I waited for her to get in the shower. I made the call for room service. They said that they already had the order, including the birthday cake.

Dammit, Adam.

I left her a quick note for Em having to go down for the room service. It was a little lie. But I wanted to check in with Adam and Ezra without Em to hear any of their cutting or abrasive comments.

Downstairs, they weren’t in the bar, but I spotted Ezra stalking out the doors in a fury. Fine, I followed him. The last thing I expected was to find them fighting with—the guy looked familiar. I didn’t know him, but I could have sworn I did…