Page 43 of Fractured Memories

It is a fucking mess that I don’t want to deal with, so I haven’t been. Only, it’s about to turn into a complete disaster if I don’t find a way to get the two of them out of here.

Fighting to keep my temper under control, I try again. Rohan and Lochlan have just been staring at me, clearly tired of my shite.

“You know Miles puts me in a foul mood.” It’s a decent excuse because it’s true. “I was after a few glasses of whiskey and didn’t expect you two to show up.”

They share a look, and I already know that something isn’t adding up to them. Probably because I’ve never cared when they barge into my home. I always pour them a glass, too.

It’s obvious that there is something wrong, and I don’t know how the fuck to fix it.

“He thinks we’re fucking stupid,” Rohan mutters, and Lochlan nods along. It’s then I know I’m screwed.

And what finalizes it is the sound of the garage door opening and Mika’s voice. I’m tempted to shove the two of them out the door by force when I hear Eden’s laughter.

Jude rounds the corner, stride pausing as he takes in Rohan and Lochlan standing before me. He looks at Rohan’s frown and Lochlan’s pinched brow and, for the first time ever, fucks me over. “You told them?”

My eyes widen. But I don’t have time to tell him to shut up because Mika and Eden appear behind him, arm in arm. Their heads are tilted together as they talk, and I’m certain that Mika rode with Jude to pick Eden up—a habit she’s been developing.

They fall quiet as they take in the scene before them. The air is thick with tension, and I notice Jude shifting closer to Mika.

Before I can find any words, Rohan’s gun is out and trained on Eden. I instinctively step in front of him, and his eyes narrow. “Who the fuck is she?”

“Put the gun down,” I growl, ready to put a bullet in him myself if it would keep her safe. I’ve never felt anything like this surge of protectiveness flooding my system.

“You heard him, dog.” Eden’s voice is sharp from behind me as I hear a click. I glance back to see that she’s pulled out her own firearm and has her aim on Lochlan. “Follow your orders, and drop it.”

I’m not sure whether to groan or laugh. I’ve seen Rohan kill people for less, but I also love the way Eden never backs down from anything.

But then I see Lochlan’s hand shift. He’s got blades everywhere, and he’s deadly with his aim. I know that he’ll disarm Eden with one flick, and I refuse to let her get hurt.

“Stop it,” I snarl, shoving her arm down. My gaze lands on Rohan, who has trained his gun just over my shoulder. I step closer, blocking him. “Put it away.”

“There is a stranger in our compound⁠—“

“She is a guest in my home⁠—“

“You don’t have guests.”

“You don’t know a fucking thing.”

We are both fuming, chests heaving, and that fucking gun is still pointed at me. The fury coming off of him is so potent that I’m ready for him to snap and swing at me. And I have no problem settling this with blows.

But then Lochlan rips the gun from him and shoves between us. “Knock it the fuck off.” He jams the gun back into Rohan’s empty holster before turning on me. “You’re right. We don’t know a fucking thing, and that needs to change.”

Lochlan catches me off guard when he shoves me out of his way, his attention going to Eden. She’s still got her gun pointed at the floor, but her muscles are tense and ready to launch into action. I’ve memorized how her body looks when she’s preparing for a fight, and she’s more than ready to take Lochlan down.

It doesn’t escape my notice that Mika has disappeared. Jude has backed away, giving us space, but still close enough to intervene as necessary. I have no doubt he’s tucked his wife down the hallway behind him.

“Clearly, Kieran has no fucking manners.” Lochlan musters his charming smile as he steps toward Eden, who is watching him warily. “I’m Lochlan. That is Rohan.” He gestures over his shoulder, dropping his voice. “You’ll have to forgive him. He doesn’t like strangers.”

“Neither do I.” Eden adjusts her grip on her gun, eyeing Lochlan. But he just waits until she finally says, “I’m Eden.”

“It’s very nice to meet you, Eden. Why don’t we all put the weapons down and have a drink?” He looks between the three of us. “Maybe we can sort this out.”

Eden looks uncertain, eyes darting toward me, and I nod. It’s enough to get her to put her weapon away, and I realize, probably for the first time, that she truly trusts me. Enough to agree to join the three of us for a drink after Rohan pulled a gun on her.

Wanting to make sure she’s comfortable, I lead the four of us out to the patio. A little fresh air and whiskey will hopefully settle us.

Rohan waits until Lochlan has filled the glasses I set out, taking a long sip before nodding at me. “Explain.”