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The resort's lavish breakfast buffet even further reminds me that we come from vastly different worlds than the Sharpes we now find ourselves tied to. I ignore the twinge of old insecurities, focusing instead on the tantalizing spread laid out before us.
As we sip coffee and eat piles of food, I observe my companions curiously. Beyond the bedroom, we three still have much to learn about one another. But the desire to do so has taken root within me.
"So Emrys, what drew you to animal rehabilitation?" I ask, genuinely interested to know more about the silent brooding man.
Emrys looks vaguely surprised to be asked, but takes a moment to consider his words carefully. "Always felt a...kinship with them. More than with people." He shrugs those massive shoulders. "Want to protect the vulnerable, save the wounded."
I nod slowly, glimpsing the bleeding heart beneath the gruff exterior. "A noble calling."
"And you, amigo? Can't imagine you defending criminals," Wilder chimes in, gaze curious. Though I still bristle at his prying, this newfound rapport demands honesty.
"I sought justice once, before realizing the system is flawed." I reply after a weighted pause. “I no longer wanted to be the reason that evil was set free.”
Something in my confession seems to land with my companions. We share a look of understanding. Our broken pieces recognizing each other. Perhaps together we can form something whole.
The conversation flows easier after that. Wilder regales us with humorous tales of his medical training escapades, coaxing even Emrys into reluctant chuckles. The lingering tension dissipates over steaming mugs and good food. But my thoughts keep wandering to Kathryn, wondering how her morning unfolds with wedding duties.
Do her thoughts stray to us too? Does she also feel this nebulous bond cementing, still tenuous as a spider's silken thread? My instincts say yes, but old doubts creep in unbidden.
Before I can even suggest that we set off and steal Kathryn away from whatever she’s doing, a grating voice interrupts us and all three of our eyes flick to the unwelcome interloper.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t Kathy’s boy toys all snug and cuddly together. Did she give you permission to sit at the adult table? Or are you hoping she'll pet you and call you good boys if you behave?” Brody kicks out a chair and takes a seat before kicking his feet up on the table, making himself comfortable as he snags a piece of bacon off Wilder's plate. "So tell me, which one of you is Kathy's favorite plaything?"
The cowboy’s entire frame goes dangerously still as his eyes flash with something menacing. I’m once more reminded that I need to know more about my two new friends. That sort of edge doesn’t come from nowhere. It’s the kind that simmers in the background for a long time.
Before he can retort, I raise a hand, a subtle reminder to keep calm. We cannot allow this antagonistic lout to goad us into losing composure.
"I suggest you leave," I state firmly, meeting Brody's mocking gaze head-on and refusing to rise to his crass baiting.
Brody just snorts, clearly enjoying provoking a reaction. "Or what? You'll sic your attack dog on me?" He gestures flippantly at Emrys' hulking frame poised threateningly nearby.
Emrys inches closer, limbs coiled with contained aggression, but holds himself back at my sharp look. Now is not the time for rash actions.
Turning my focus back to the smug nuisance lounging before us, I keep my tone steady and controlled. "Walk away now with some shred of dignity remaining, or you may come to regret it."
"She's got you so pussy-whipped you practically have little bows around your dicks." He shakes his head, reaching for Wilder’s plate once more. He glances at me in question and I shrug, letting him take whatever recourse he chooses this time. Brody is pushing even me too far now.
In a whirl of movement, Brody’s sleeve is impaled to the table by a glinting, silvery knife with the man attached blinking dumbly at the blade. “What the fuck?!” His face goes ashen before switching to fury as he grabs the knife and pulls it out of his sleeve. “You’re fucking crazy!”
“Don’t get between a country boy and his food.” Wilder merely grins and leans back in his seat as Brody whirls towards him. “And never speak badly about my Kitty-Kat again.”
“Don't tell me you believe her little act. The ice queen doesn't have a heart to give anyone. Kathy's heart is colder than her cunt. She's incapable of it."
Wilder is on his feet in an instant, fist swinging towards Brody's smug face. But quicker than a viper strike, Emrys catches Wilder's arm mid-swing, a clear warning in his golden eyes to stand down.
Wilder trembles with fury but complies begrudgingly. Inside, my own rage boils hotly at this reprehensible worm daring to insult our woman. But I keep the roiling anger locked down tight. Now is not the time to lose control.
Rising slowly, I step around the table and grip Brody's shoulder with bruising force, leaning in close. "This is your last warning. Leave immediately, or you'll quickly find how lacking your charms are against us." My tone remains lethally calm, despite the urge to break his jaw.
Brody attempts to jerk out of my hold, his bravado finally wavering. "Get your hands off me, asshole."
I just squeeze harder, satisfaction curling through me as panic enters his eyes. "Next time, we won't be so polite," I promise coldly, releasing him with a slight shove towards the exit.
Brody opens his mouth, no doubt to continue spewing venom when, suddenly, Kathryn materializes beside him, eyes hard as diamonds.
"You heard the man. Time for you to go," she states crisply, nothing but ice in her voice. I suppress a satisfied smile at her impeccable timing.
"We were just having a friendly chat. Weren't we, boys?" He shoots us an oily grin that makes my fingers itch to wrap around his throat.
