I shove my hands in the back pockets of my jeans. “Maybe. But that’s only because I can take better care of her when she’s like this than she can.”
Adrian exhales, then starts reaching inside his suit jacket pocket. He pulls out a slim, gold-plated case.
“What are you doing?”
He pops the case open. “What does it look like? I need a smoke if I’m going to listen to this shit.”
“Don’t smoke in the house. What if that bothers Haven? In fact…” I free one hand, grabbing Adrian by the crook of his elbow. “Having you here bothers her, bro. I love you, but you gotta get out.”
He jerks his elbow, breaking out of my hold. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. She… she’s not doing as good as I thought she would. She needs more time. I’m gonna give her that, but if having you here is upsetting her, next time we’ll meet up at your place. Better yet, call me. I keep the volume low enough, she can’t hear your voice, I won’t upset my wife.”
“Wife?” Adrian takes a cigarette out of the case, slipping it behind his ear so that it’s within reach the moment he can light up. “What happened? I miss the wedding? If so, I owe you a gift.”
“Don’t worry. When I let Haven know that we’re getting hitched, I’ll convince her to let you come. Just make sure you stay away from the altar, Kingmaker.”
Adrian snorts. “You’re fucking nuts, Con.”
I rub my thumb over the ‘H’ that’s been scarred on my arm for almost a decade. “What was your first clue?”
Adrian studies me for a long moment. “It’s me. Be fucking honest. You sure you have this under control?”
No. “Absolutely.”
“Connor...”
“If I need help,” I concede, “you’ll be the first one I call.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“It’s the only answer you’re going to get.”
His mouth tightens, but after a second, he nods. “Keep her away from Jack.”
“I plan to keep her away from everyone,” I tell him honestly.
He exhales, almost amused despite everything. “Fair enough. Hey. Connor?”
“Yeah?”
“We’re here if you need us. You know that, right? If you’re determined to do this… you don’t have to do it alone.”
I know. With brothers like mine, Iknow.
By the timeI walk Adrian out, watch him drive away while already puffing on his cigarette, I’m desperate to return to Haven. My fingers twitch, the key nearly slipping out of my hand as I try to unlock the bedroom door. Pushing it in, I’m prepared to tell Haven I’m just checking on her before I start dinner when I peek my head inside and see that the room… it’sempty.
For one horrible second, my heart just about stops—and that’s when I notice that the sliding door that leads to the small balcony off of my room is open, and my stomach lurches so violently, I almost hurl.
Next thing I know, I’m racing across the room, dashing through the open doorway. Haven is on the balcony, one bare leg hooked over the railing, the hem of my shirt riding dangerously high on her thighs as she tries to pull herself over the edge.
Fuck, no.
Before she can, I grab her around the waist and haul her back until both of her legs are on this side of the railing. As I do, she actually fights me this time.
That’s fine with me. Good, baby.Fight.Just don’t fall…
Her elbow clips my jaw. Her nails rake my forearm. She bucks hard enough that we nearly go down together, but I get us both back inside. Freeing one hand, I slam the balcony door shut behind me.
