Page 8 of Trapped Truth

His lids falling to half-mast, I’m seconds from the liberation of his mouth recapturing mine when the door clatters again. I’d recognise the hollow thunk of Warner’s prosthetic leg even blindfolded.

“Blaine.” He sighs loudly.

“Yes, team leader?”

“While I’m making peace with your existence in our lives, don’t push your luck. Get your hands off my girl… Please.”

“Please?” I splutter.

“I’m trying.” Warner’s response comes through gritted teeth.

With his back to Warner, Blaine smirks at me in amusement. “Would you mind having one less boyfriend if I gut this one? He’s rather tiresome.”

“No! You can’t gut our team leader.”

“Is that all he is now?”

“Still no.” I push him away with one hand. “He’s also mine. Hands off Warner, or you risk losing them.”

“Thanks, love,” Warner vocalises in a tired voice. “Believe me, I wouldn’t be interrupting if it weren’t urgent. Family meeting at the main cabin. Willow’s orders.”

Frissons of tension and anxiety cut across my chest at the mention of Briar Valley’s resident matriarch. Little did I know, the victim credited to one of Sabre’s biggest trafficking cases isn’t such a stranger after all. That sure was a shock to the system when we landed in the middle of nowhere.

Over Blaine’s shoulder, two stern baby blues bore into me. Warner looks exhausted. His salt-and-pepper hair is mussed, untidy. Hastily changed clothing hangs in disarray. He even leans lopsidedly, taking the weight off where I’m sure his prosthetic is killing him.

“What’s the meeting about?”

“We need to bring them up to speed while we’re lying low here. Plus, you both have some explaining to do. Starting with how on earth you know each other and none of us were informed.”

“It’s a long story,” I hedge.

“I can imagine.” Warner jerks his head towards the wooden cabin. “Doc will stay with Axel so we can all attend. He’s out cold for the time being.”

“Fine. Can I check on him first?”

“Go right ahead. I need a word with Mr Madden here about boundaries if he’s intending to stay and see this case through.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” Blaine crosses his arms over his chest.

“I assumed as much.”

My focus bounces between the two men, eyeing each other with a wary kind of understanding. “No fighting?”

Blaine shrugs, his expression settling into a familiar blankness. “Only if he throws the first punch.”

“No fighting,” Warner promises. “Give us a minute.”

“Okay… One minute. That’s all.”

As I squeeze past him to re-enter our temporary home, Warner catches my wrist. He halts me long enough to plant a heavy, possessive kiss where the ghost of Blaine’s lips still resides.

I sink into his touch, dominating and firm, letting his rich patchouli and pine scent melt into my pores. Everything about Warner screams comfort. Reassurance. Safety and belonging. He’s the safe harbour in a storm, the constant thread that’s guided me through months of upheaval.

He’s more than my brother’s best friend.

This man… is my home.

All too soon, he releases me, gently pushing my shoulder to encourage me inside. Leaving the two men to hash it out doesn’t feel like the best decision. But the sooner our team pulls together, the sooner we can end this.