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“Oh, fuck! I didn’t think. I just got so excited about TJ being here. I’m so sorry. Oh, introductions would probably help now that we’re not shooting anyone or scaring the shit out of them. TJ, this is Dominick. Dominick, this is TJ.”
I pause, my eyes flickering back and forth from Allie to TJ. He doesn’t move, and while he’s lowered his piece, this close, I can see it’s a decent little Smith & Wesson.
“So I’ve surmised. What I don’t know is who TJ is to you, Allie.”
She flushes and rubs behind her ear as she glances at him, and he lifts a brow slightly in a way that I’ve seen across from me at breakfast for the past few days, telling me the answer even before the words come out.
“TJ’s my brother.”
In an instant, my world is set right once again.
Not kidnapped.
Not with another man.
Just willfully and knowingly putting herself in danger as if she’s not my fucking heart, walking around at risk. My relief swirls with frustrated anger at her lackadaisical attitude.
No, not her attitude. I’m angry with myself, for not using my head and realizing that Allie has people in her life. Decent people whom I have yet to meet. I need to leave, get myself under control.
How ironic is that?
The man of utmost control almost spinning out because his woman went out for an impromptu dinner with her brother?
My jaw muscles nearly cramp as I gnash my teeth, trying to force out some words that might explain my actions without making too much of an idiot of myself.
“I thought you’d been kidnapped, Allie,” I say quietly, her eyes softening when she sees the emotion underneath my voice. “I feared I would be painting the streets red with the blood of whoever dared to lay a finger on you. While you were out having fun and sipping smoothies, I was trying to determine whether I would have to save you or avenge you.”
Her chin drops and her eyes go to the floor. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t think. I’m not used to all this yet.”
I nod my head and clear my throat. “Look at me.”
She looks up at me, and I realize . . . there’s no reason to apologize. The fault is mine and mine alone, and it’s my responsibility to educate her about my life. Something I’ve been woefully inadequate with if she didn’t understand the possible ramifications of her actions. A simple phone call is all it would’ve taken, from either of us, and this whole mess could’ve been avoided.
“We’ll talk about this later, but you did nothing wrong. I’m sorry. Logan will be downstairs tonight. Enjoy your visit with your brother.”
I take the few steps toward her, laying a kiss to her temple as I hold her hand for a brief moment. I can feel the tension through TJ, and his grip on the gun tightens ever so slightly, though his finger is off the trigger. He’s still uncertain whether I pose a threat to his sister.
There are times to answer a question with words . . . but I believe TJ needs a more visceral demonstration. Before my lips even lose contact with Allie’s skin, I make a grab for the gun, quickly and easily twisting it from his hand, a maneuver I learned years ago and still have the occasion to use from time to time.
“Motherfuck—” he stutters loudly. Instead of turning his gun around on him, though, I take a step back, dropping the clip and clearing the chamber before I offer it back to him, grip-first.
“A hint. In my line of work, if you pull a gun, you’d better be prepared to use it without hesitation. If you don’t, you could end up having it taken from you, or worse.”
His face flushes with indignation at being disarmed, but he reaches his hand out and takes it. “I look forward to our next meeting,” I tell him.
In the silence of the moment, I leave, not sure what to make of everything that just happened. It’s an uncomfortable feeling, not one I commonly feel. Simply put, Allie has me on such a tight rope, so readily able to pull me this way and that. It’s discomforting.
But at the same time, I want nothing more than to be on her string, and her on mine, endlessly tied up in one another. I stride to the elevator, getting on, and though I have every intention of hitting One, my finger hovers and I press Four, admitting to myself at least that I can’t leave her tonight.
Not after all the ugly images my fear played through my head, like a horror movie I couldn’t escape. Before I call Logan and inform him of my change of plans, I place a call to another old friend.
