: Prologue

It’s the crying I hear first, and I can’t help but sigh. Always the crying. This time it’s closely followed by the sound of footsteps thundering down the hallway. My concentration broken, I discard the magazine I was reading and glance across the room to Xander. Rolling his eyes, he pushes himself up from the sofa and goes to head her off so he can prevent another tantrum.

Xander’s always been her favorite—the one who could talk her down. I suspect she’s only stuck around for as long as she has because of him. However, I doubt even he can convince her to stay now. I must admit that with her experience and previous references, I thought she’d last longer than this, even if her presence has made the atmosphere in our penthouse increasingly tense.

Ebony—currently headed along the hall and into Xander’s waiting arms—is our latest test subject. Our guinea pig, as Zeke likes to call them. She’s lasted three months, which is longer than most. But that’s because Zeke has been on his best behavior for her. Until today. We warned her how he could be, and she swore she could handle it. Seems like she can’t.

She’s pulling one of Xander’s old hooded sweatshirts over her head when she comes into view, but I catch a glimpse of the bite marks and purple welts on her torso. “He’s a fucking animal,” she cries, wiping tears from her cheeks.

I grind my jaw, forcing myself to keep my mouth shut and let Xander handle this. He found her—it’s up to him to let her go. But Zeke is no animal. He has issues, sure, but don’t we all? Ebony included. Fuck me, does she have issues.

Xander whispers words of comfort in her ear, and she clings to him, her hands fisting in the fabric of his T-shirt even as he gives her his well-practiced speech about how it’s time for her to leave. He had such hope this one would work out. Not because he’s particularly attached to her, but because we swore she’d be the last one we attempted this with.

On paper, she seemed like the perfect fit. But no woman will ever come between Xander, Zeke, and me, although that hasn’t stopped every single one of them from trying.