My Best Friend's Brother: Forbidden Desire

Chapter 1

[Kendall]

"Thanks for inviting me," I say, smiling at Elora as I nudge her with my shoulder.

She laughs, lifting her champagne glass. "You needed a break, Kendall. It's about time."

I wiggle my toes in the clear, saltwater pool and glance at her perfectly manicured feet. "Yeah, I don't get out much."

Elora tilts her head knowingly. "Because you're always at home taking care of your dad."

I nod, the usual heaviness settling in. "He's not been the same since the heart attack. I've taken over most of the household stuff. Lucky he made enough money as a low-level guy before getting sick to take care of us. I owe him everything."

"You're a good daughter," she says sincerely before grinning again. "But today's about mimosas and sunshine, so drink up."

I smile, taking another sip of my drink. Elora's been my best friend since we were twelve, always dragging me into fun I didn't know I needed. Sometimes I think she tries to live enough for both of us.

When Marco Barone's voice cuts across the pool enclosure, my stomach tightens. "Elora"

Elora turns, her face lighting up. "Marco!"

I stay quiet, watching as he walks over. He's good-looking, but there's a coldness in his eyes that makes my skin crawl.

Marco picks Elora up effortlessly, making her giggle as she drops her mimosa glass. I lunge forward and catch it before it hits the ground, but neither of them notices. After a long, intense kiss, Marco sets her down.

"I gotta go now, bella," he says in a low tone.

Elora pouts. "Alright, if you must."

"The staff will lock up when you leave," he adds, kissing her again before striding into the house.

I let out a slow breath as he leaves, without even acknowledging me. Marco is the kind of man who makes me nervous just by being in the room.

His gaze is too sharp, his words too calculated, and Elora's confidence around him worries me. She thinks she can handle him, but I'm not so sure.

"Come on, Kendall!" Elora calls, splashing water in my direction.

I slide into the pool and let myself laugh, trying to push down the nagging unease. She dunks her head underwater and comes up smiling, her eyes sparkling with that mischievous glint I know all too well.

"Oh no," I say, shaking my head. "What are you planning, Elora?"

She swims closer, grinning. "The Espositos are having a party tomorrow night."

I groan. "You mean Bruno Esposito is having a party."

"Exactly."

"Elora, Marco is only out of town for two days. Don't you think this is a bad idea?"

She shrugs, unbothered. "What Marco doesn't know won't hurt him."

I bite my lip, the knot in my stomach tightening. Elora doesn't see the danger in what she's doing.

To her, it's just fun and games-Marco buys her expensive things, Bruno flirts with her at parties, she's playing both of them--and loving it.

Marco wouldn't just be angry if he found out. He'd be dangerous. And Bruno? He's no better. Elora thinks she's in control, but I've seen what happens to people who cross men like them.

I don't want to lose her.

"Elora..." I start, but she waves me off, already climbing out of the pool.

"Come on, Kendall. I know you're going to come with me to keep me out of trouble, so let's not have this back and forth," she says over her shoulder with a cheeky grin on her face.

She's right, of course. I can't let her go alone. I never can.

"I guess I'll get an Uber," I mutter.

"No way." Elora grabs her towel, grinning. "I'll call Camden."

My breath catches.

Camden Andretti.

Same sea-green eyes as my best friend, but this time with the longest, darkest lashes, the strongest Roman nose, a square jaw, and the fullest mouth.

Camden Andretti is absolutely gorgeous and I've had a crush on him since before I was fourteen.

Not that Elora will ever get that information out of me. And not that it matters anyway since I'm invisible to him.

When Camden's car pulls up, I rush to put on a pair of shorts and my tank top. I manage to get dressed before he walks in, thank God, coming through the back of the pool house and waving, jerking his head as if he's irritated.

I hurry over to his car while Elora takes her time.

"Thank you for the ride, Camden," I say as I slide into the backseat.

He hums in response, getting in the driver's side and revving the engine to make Elora hurry up.

She takes her sweet time anyway, just to be a brat, and I chuckle.

"You should've taken the front seat," Camden says, and I can't help the blush that spreads across my cheeks.

"I don't mind the backseat," I say.

Elora finally gets in the passenger side, flipping her hair dramatically. "You're driving us to the Espositos tomorrow night, right?"

Camden groans. "I've got to be there anyway. Dante is invited. So, I guess I'll drop you off."

Elora grins. "Perfect."

Camden raises an eyebrow at her as he pulls out of the driveway. "You know, Marco isn't going to like you going to Bruno's."

"Marco is out of town," she says breezily.

"You're going to get yourself in trouble one of these days, you know that?" Camden warns, but Elora just scoffs.

"I'm just having fun," she argues, and I look out the window to stop staring at Camden's profile.

I had the biggest dreams of growing up and marrying him when I was a teenager, and it all seems so ridiculous now.

As if he would ever want me.

"I'm going to drop you off first," Camden says to Elora. "I'm on my way to Dante's, and Kendall's place is on the way."

I swallow hard. I'm going to be alone in the car with Camden, which makes the blush on my cheeks deepen and redden.

I know I should be over my little crush by now, but I can't help it.

He's just so...Camden, you know?

He's unlike anyone I've ever met before. I wish that I had someone like him in my life, like a boyfriend or a husband.

I've always wanted a family, and I don't feel like I'll ever have one.

"You're going to the Esposito party?" he asks me, looking at me in the rearview mirror.

I nod slowly, keeping eye contact. God, his eyes are so pretty, his stare intense.

"Keep her out of trouble," he says, giving me a little smile, and my heart skips several beats.

"Trouble is my middle name," Elora chirps, waving her fingers at me as Camden pulls up at their place.

She lives in a pretty house. It's just Elora and their ailing mother living there now. Camden has his own apartment and comes to visit often.

Their father had done pretty well for himself before he was killed, so the house was all theirs.

He hadn't ever wanted to be anything but low level, but still he provided for his family. Gave them a roof.

My dad was the same. And I wouldn't have it any other way. At least I don't have to worry about watching my back and having someone come after my family.

I'm glad that my father was just a low-level thug and not a made man.

"Get in the front," Camden says as Elora makes her way to the front door.

It's almost demanding, and it sends a shiver down my spine. I do as he says and climb over to get in the front seat, my arm brushing against his.

"I'm glad you're going to be at the party," he says, and I blink, looking over at him as I buckle my seatbelt and he pulls out onto the road.

"You are?"

"You always watch out for her. Gives me less work to do," he says, and I swallow, feeling slightly disappointed.

What else would he say? That he wants me to go because he's secretly in love with me? I feel stupid.

Camden's quiet the rest of the way home, but just as I step out of the car, he calls my name softly.

I freeze, pulse racing, and turn to face him.

"You're a good friend," he says, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that steals my breath. His voice is low, barely more than a murmur, but it lingers, wrapping around me.

I nod, forcing a smile, and turn toward the door. But as I walk inside, his words echo, each step heavier.

A good friend.

Is that all he thinks I am?

Is that all he'll ever let me be?

Or... was there something more in his eyes, in his voice?

And why can't I stop hoping?

Chapter 2

[Camden]

I can think of about five things I'd rather be doing (three of them women) that isn't standing around at Bruno Esposito's stupid party.

It isn't even really a wiseguy party, just something that Bruno has thrown together for his birthday.

I ended up driving Elora here early because she couldn't wait, which left Kendall to finish getting ready on her own.

Elora bolted the second we arrived, no doubt hunting down Bruno or stirring up trouble somewhere else.

The mansion is huge, probably bigger even than Dante's-my capo. The Espositos are an old family, and Bruno is the next in line.

I guess that's part of the reason that Elora likes him so much. She's attracted to power, that's for sure.

I'm the guy that works for the men in power, and I like it that way. There's too much responsibility in being a made man to be honest.

Too many people trying to take what you have. I'm glad I'm under the radar and don't have to worry about looking over my shoulder at every turn.

I just want to protect what's mine-quietly.

I sigh, looking around for my little sister, but she's nowhere to be found.

I'm grateful that Marco's out of town, because he's a bit of a hothead.

I'm probably being generous. He's more like a loose cannon.

Elora is playing with fire, and she's bound to get burned, so I'm glad that her much more level-headed best friend is here to help me out.

Just like me and Elora , Kendall and my little sister are very different, even though they're both still young and immature.

Opposites attract, I guess.

As I'm scanning the room yet again looking for Elora , my eyes land on a woman coming down the stairs.

Her legs are thick and tanned, leading up to a little white club dress that hugs her generous curves. Her hips are wide and I can't help licking my lips as I look up at her.

Women could be my weakness, if I allowed them to mean anything to me.

I don't.

They are a liability. An anchor that forces you to stay in one place. A distraction, though that can be both a welcoming quality and a flaw, depending on the occasion.

But most of all, they are a weapon that can be used against you. If you take a chance on love, you are giving someone else the power to hurt you, directly or indirectly, and I can't afford that.

Especially as Dante's lead enforcer. I'd be putting both of us at risk.

But just because I'll never fall in love doesn't mean that I stay away from them.

I love women and they love me, so we have fun together but the stakes are always clear.

I like to enjoy a nice pair of legs, ample cleavage, or a wide pair of hips for a night, but that's as far as it goes. They know not to expect more.

I've always been attracted to curves, and this woman has them in spades. Her cleavage spills out of the low-cut top.

As I'm staring, she stumbles, her hair falling down across her face.

I take the steps two at a time and steady her with a hand on one hip and she looks up at me with a smile.

Shit.

It's Kendall.

I blink at her, shocked that I've just been checking out my little sister's best friend, and I let my hand linger on her hip a little too long.

"Jesus, Kendall," I mumble. "That dress-"

She blushes and looks down at herself. "I know, it's too tight. Elora talked me into it. I should have changed."

I shake my head fiercely, taking her chin in my hand and tilting it upward.

"No, you look amazing," I tell her, and her deep brown eyes search my face as if to see if I'm lying.

"You really mean that?" she asks softly.

"I do," I say in a low murmur, looking her up and down again, unable to help myself.

Kendall blushes and braces herself against the wall.

"I guess I should find Elora ," she says, and I let go of her hip reluctantly, watching her walk the rest of the way down the stairs, staring at her legs and ass.

When did Kendall Risi get so hot?

She's just a kid, I remind myself. Your little sister's best friend, you dog.

In my own defense, I am kind of a dog. I take advantage of my good looks whenever opportunity arises. That's one of the reasons I can't blame Elora for playing Marco and Bruno, I guess.

Maybe Elora and I are more alike than I realize.

A hand claps me on the shoulder and I turn, dragging my gaze off of Kendall's ample ass, and see Dante standing there, with his pregnant wife, mia, smiling at me.

"You picked out your newest conquest?" he teases, and I shake my head.

"Nah, nothing like that. That's Elora 's best friend. She'll look out for her tonight."

"Good to know. I need you to focus on work tonight," Dante says in a low tone.

I nod and he and Mia make it down the stairs to mingle and I head up the stairs, looking around for Bruno. There are people milling around upstairs and I don't find him, but I do find Angelo Bianchi.

Angelo does some muscle work for Dante here and there. We've been friends since high school, when we played basketball together, but I haven't seen him a few months.

"Camden," he says warmly, pulling me into a brief hug. "It's been a while."

"Not long enough," I say dryly, but then I break out into a smile.

Angelo laughs. "You bring a date?" he asks, and I shake my head.

"Do I ever? Need to keep my options open," I say, and Angelo shakes his head, smiling.

"You never change," he chuckles.

"Never will," I say matter-of-factly. "Have you seen Bruno anywhere?"

Angelo shrugs. "He could be anywhere, you know Bruno. Probably partying somewhere in a bathroom."

Bruno isn't a stranger to hard drugs, so it's not uncommon to find him doing lines in a bathroom. I let out a long breath.

At least he'll be talkative.

"Thanks," I mutter, and walk toward the balcony on the second floor. I look down at the people in the yard, seeing if I can catch sight of Bruno, but no such luck. I don't see Elora , either, so I assume they're together.

I wrinkle my nose. I don't want to walk in on that, so maybe I should just take a break. I pull out a pack of cigarettes from my jacket.

It's a habit I'm trying to break, so I only smoke once every blue moon, now, when things are really bad.

I put the cigarette in my mouth but don't light it. I like to just feel it there. I satisfies the craving somehow.

I stand there for a minute longer, breathing in the scent of the cigarette without lighting it, letting it calm me down.

My heartbeat's still pounding in my chest, like I've just run a mile. What is it about Kendall that's got me all twisted up?

Maybe it's the way she looked tonight, soft and innocent but somehow tempting. That dress hugged her curves in all the right places, and I can't shake the way her skin felt under my hand. It was like touching silk, warm and smooth, her body fitting perfectly against mine in that brief moment.

I should go find Bruno, get this job done, but my mind keeps drifting back to her. To the way her eyes had lingered on mine, a hint of something there I couldn't quite read.

For a second, it felt like she wanted me as much as I wanted her. I shake my head at myself, trying to push those thoughts away.

I'm their protector tonight. That's it.

Besides, Elora would kill me if she even suspected what was going through my head.

I remind myself of that, again and again, hoping it'll stick this time. But damn if it's hard.

I keep thinking about that body on Kendall. How the hell have I never noticed?

She's too young for you, I tell myself. Off-limits. So why can't I stop?

But the image of her tanned, thick thighs is seared into my mind, there every time I close my eyes.

How did this happen? When did she start getting under my skin like this?

I've got to get it together.

But... can I?

Chapter 3

I've never been particularly popular, but there must be something to this dress, because men keep coming up to me, introducing themselves.

Alessandro Barone, Marco's younger brother, walks up to me, looking me up and down.

"What's your name, pretty girl?" he asks in a low tone, and I snort out a laugh.

"You've known me since high school, Alessandro. I was the year ahead of you? We were in choir together?"

He just looks at me blankly.

"Kendall Risi," I say, sighing, and his eyes widen.

"No fucking way," he says in a mumble, and for the first time I notice his eyes are a bit glassy. I don't smell booze, though, so I suspect drugs.

"You've been hanging out with Bruno too much," I accuse, and Alessandro shrugs, smirking.

"Maybe. I can't believe I didn't recognize you," he says, stepping closer. I back away, not wanting to get cornered by him.

"I guess that's a compliment?" I say dryly.

"Of course it is. Look at you," he says, licking his lips. "I never noticed you before, but that dress..."

"Well, you can go back to not noticing me again," I clip flatly.

"I'm looking for Elora ," I say finally, wanting to get to her before she starts taking hits, as well.

I hate it when she does hard drugs, she turns into a person that I don't really like. I know that Camden worries about her, too.

"I saw her with Bruno in his office earlier," he says, and I nod, making my way up the stairs, wobbling a little in Elora 's tall heels.

I can't believe I let her talk me into this outfit and these shoes, but here I am.

I push the thought out of my mind, not wanting to think about that while I'm trying to have fun at a party.

I guess I have been having fun, especially when Camden gave me a compliment. I can still feel his hand on my chin, how he tilted my face up to his like he was going to kiss me.

I have to keep myself from shuddering in pleasure just thinking about it.

Did he really think I looked beautiful tonight? Elora 's giggle sounds from inside a room with an open door as I walk down the hallway. I smile, rolling my eyes.

I knock on the doorjamb and Elora is in Bruno's lap and they are both sniffling, so I know they've been partaking in Bruno's stash of drugs.

"Kendall!" she squeaks, standing up and coming toward me, hugging me tightly.

She also smells like that fruity wine she loves, so I guess she's been partying hard. "Let me pour you a glass of wine."

I take the glass but only take a small sip, looking over at Bruno who is just gazing adoringly at Elora .

If I were to pick which of the men Elora is seeing for her, I'd probably pick Bruno.

Marco is a violent man, and I've heard some horror stories, while Bruno is younger, a sweet guy for the most part, even though he may have a bit of a drug problem.

That's not unusual in his line of work, though, and he's certainly got the money and support for rehab if he ever needs it.

Marco may be more straight-edge, only partaking in a couple of drinks socially and never overdoing it, but his personality is a lot more cut-throat, and I think Elora deserves someone who looks at her the way that Bruno does.

Not like he owns her, like Marco does, but like he just loves every move she makes.

I wish I had that.

I wish Camden would look at me like that.

I flush just thinking about it and take another gulp of my wine.

"We were about to put on some different music," Elora says, wrinkling her nose. "The stuff they're playing downstairs is so...old."

I chuckle. Classical music plays quietly downstairs, and I guess she's right, it's centuries old. She puts on a record, some hip-hop song, and bounces around to the music, shaking her hair all around.

Bruno looks at her like she's the only woman in the room, and I can't help but smile. I hope in the end, she chooses Bruno.

Elora finishes her wine and then pulls me into dancing with her. I laugh and sway along with her, moving my hips and taking hold of hers to dance with her. Elora is always fun, and that's one of the reasons that we've always been so close.

Another reason is that she's always been there for me, good and bad times.

She's never made me feel like lesser, even though sometimes I feel like I'm in the shadow of her great looks and big personality, and I'm grateful to her for being my friend.

Bruno stands up and starts to dance behind Elora and she leans back against him. He kisses her throat and I cough to make my presence known.

"Get a room," I mutter, and Elora belly-laughs and pushes away from him.

"She's right," she says. "I'm here with Kendall, you know? She's really my date."

She links her arm through mine, leaning her head against mine. She's taller and thinner than me, but we fit together well.

I smile at Bruno and he smiles back but only has eyes for Elora .

"Isn't this dress gorgeous on her, Bruno?" she asks, and Bruno nods but he's still looking at Elora .

"Everyone's complimented me on it," I say. "Even Camden."

Elora 's eyes widen. "Even my brooding brother says it's a nice dress? You really are wearing it, then, Kendall!"

I smile at her and she leads me over to the desk, where there's a mirror and white lines spread out on the table.

I feel myself go pale.

"You know that I don't like this kind of stuff, Elora ," I mutter, and she pouts.

"I know, Kendall. I'm just having a little fun," she says and does a line. I frown but at least she's not pushing me to try it.

I know that my mother has issues with addiction, or at least she did before she disappeared on us, so I never want to put myself in that kind of situation.

I look out through the window and see a familiar-looking car pulling up. I frown even deeper and grab Elora 's arm.

She sniffles and stands, looking out the window.

"Tell me that's not..." I trail off and look at Elora , who goes instantly pale.

"Shit," she curses under her breath, and grabs onto my arm, dragging me out into the hallway and into a closet with towels and linens folded up on the shelves. She puts a finger to my lips.

"Be quiet," she whispers.

I groan inwardly but keep my mouth shut. It's Marco's car I saw pulling up through the gates, and I should have known that he would get wind of this.

Elora is in trouble now, and I need to try and keep her out of it, as much as I can.

We stand in the closet for what seems like forever, and finally I put my hand on the doorknob.

Elora grabs my arm and pulls me back toward her. "Don't go out there," she hisses.

"I just want to talk to them," I say calmly. "Maybe I can keep Marco from beating him up too bad."

Elora nods, her perfectly manicured brows drawn together. "You're right," she breathes. "You're calm and you can talk to them. I can't go out there, though."

I nod. "I don't want you to," I reassure her and hug her tightly before opening the door.

I shut it behind me quickly and hurry toward Bruno's office. He's sitting in his chair, facing Marco, whose shoulders are stiff.

"So, you're fucking my girl," Marco says slowly, and a grin spreads across Bruno's face as I watch from the doorway.

I swallow hard, about to say something, when Marco pulls out his gun and shoots Bruno directly in the face.

There is hardly any sound, with the party still going. That's when I notice the gun has a silencer.

Bruno jerks once, and his head is tilting up, as if he is staring at the ceiling, but the thin red trail coming down his forehead tells me the bullet was true to its mark.

I make a squeaking sound in the back of my throat and that's when Marco turns around, locking eyes with me.

A scream builds in the back of my throat and I look around desperately but it's just the two of us.

Everyone else is either downstairs or on the balcony.

Marco advances toward me, and I do the only thing I can think of – I run, my heart pounding like it's about to burst. I sprint past Elora , who's come out of the closet, her wide-eyed stare catching mine just for a second.

"Kendall!" she yelps as I push past her, but I ignore her. She didn't see anything – she doesn't know what I just witnessed.

She isn't the one with Marco's shadow closing in.

I am.

Adrenaline surges through me as I stumble, desperate to stay on my feet, every instinct screaming to get the hell out of here before Marco turns that gun on me.

Mio Dio.

Did I just witness an execution?!