Page 14 of Too Guarded to Love

He thought back to the look in her eyes when she’d noticed his arm. The something, along with surprise he couldn’t define, had been recognition.

Fuck. When she’d touched him and said, “You can feel that,” she hadn’t needed confirmation. She knew damn well he could feel her touch.

She knew exactly who he was.

Nic bit back telling Kane his sister was the kind of pretty little liar he avoided. His face hurt too much to get pummeled again. So did his pride. He’d only wanted to run off some anger for fuck’s sake, not embroil himself in a woman’s drama. He’d been led down that path and had scars inside and out to show for it.

Kane pointed a finger at him. “I don’t care how it happened. I heard you say, ‘clothes came off.’ Those clothes came off my sister.”

“I’m sorry.” The back of Nic’s neck buzzed along with the hum from the vending machine. “We didn’t do anything but⁠—”

But what? He’d let the last woman he should be screwing around with press those pretty heart-shaped lips to his cock. Felt her touch on his flesh and sensed it in his steel, stronger than he’d experienced any sensations since VIPER imbued him with voodoo magic.

Based on Olivia’s fascination with his steel parts, she’d geek out over a conversation with Scarlett, Chris’s wife, and one of the geniuses behind his technology. And Olivia was the perfect sister-in-law match for Beth, Kane’s fiancée, who worked for the National Health Agency. Scarlett and Beth were brilliant scientists and passionate about their work.

And both dedicated to his VIPER brothers they’d fallen for.

No way in hell was the lying sirena going to be in that last category.

Ever.

Kane slapped his hand against his super leg, jittering beneath his jeans. “Don’t finish telling me what you did with Livvie if you know what’s good for you. In fact, don’t even think about finishing anything when it comes to my sister or else I’ll punch the other side of your pretty face. The only thing I want you to tell me is why the fuck she was shot and then get the hell out of my sight.”

Nic sighed. The heavy sound bottomed out in his heart. “I have a theory. I was going to talk to you guys about it tomorrow, but…”

Kane’s phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket and tipped it toward Nic like a knife. “This isn’t over.” He threw open the door and stepped into the hall.

Linc laughed. “You are so fucked, dude.”

“Yeah, I know.” He rubbed the back of his neck, bracing himself to face the consequences for his actions. “I swear. I had no idea.”

“What?” Kane’s voice boomed through the door as he turned to face them. “Where is she?”

Nic hurried into the hall, Linc on his heels. “What’s happened?”

The color drained from Kane’s face. “Gran collapsed at bingo. I’ve got to go.” He pointed at Nic. “Stay with my sister. Keep her safe.”

Cold sweat trickled down Nic’s back. The nurse’s desk across from him blurred. The faces of the patients and caregivers buzzing around him morphed into another time.

Another place.

Another woman he’d been responsible for.

He’d tried. Damn, he’d tried to keep her safe, but she’d lied, and it had cost them both. He couldn’t afford any more surprises shooting out of the shadows. Surprises spawned from withheld information. Olivia not telling him who she was before she demanded he take his pants off had birthed a fuckton of chaos.

Nic paced in front of the room where a doctor finished stitching up Olivia. Kane’s words rushed through his brain. “Stay with my sister. Keep her safe.”

Kane’s fucking sister.

Nic still couldn’t wrap his head around what he’d done, let alone halt his fears from spiraling. As soon as Kane got back, he would hand over responsibility for Olivia’s safety and tap out of the situation. When they met again at Beth and Kane’s wedding in a few months, which fell on his birthday, he’d pretend to barely remember her name and never think of her again.

What a fun way to roll into thirty-four.

But nobody, not even the wet, willing, mesmerizing creature who’d kneeled at his feet, would jeopardize the career and the family he’d found in VIPER.

A woman in scrubs came out of Olivia’s room. “I’m Brittany. Ms. Darren’s nurse. Are you Nic Romero?”

“Yes. Thank you for taking care of my friend.” He turned on his charming smile. Flirting with the staff never hurt. “How’s Olivia?”