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When Travis turns his head, his genial mood is immediately wiped off his face as he shuts down, giving me that damn stone-walled expression. I die a little on the inside knowing it’s me who put the cold glare in his eyes. He has all his walls back up, and his fortress is locked down tight as he continues to penetrate me with his hard scowl. He then scoots back his chair in a dramatic fashion, making a loud scraping sound against the tiled floor as he stands to his full height.
“I’m out of here, guys,” he says heatedly, and with that, I feel like I’ve just been punched in the gut. His curtness and coldness has me feeling embarrassed, and I feel the heat of my humiliation turning the tips of my ears red.
“Where you going, man?” Stryker questions with a confused look on his face.
“Out. I’ll be back later.” As if he’s speaking to me personally, he continues, “If she tries to escape, tie her up, and lock her in the basement.” I choke on the air in my lungs, my hand pressing against my racing heart.
Chase speaks over the collective, shocked stares of everyone in the room, “Dude, I don’t think that’s necessary.”
Travis whips his head around, and the tone of his voice sends a chill down my spine. “Perhaps you didn’t hear me correctly, so let me rephrase. If she tries to cut loose and isn’t properly restrained for when I get back, someone’s head is gonna roll for it. You wanna oppose me now, let me know,” he snarls as his fists ball up, readying for a fight.
“Whoa,” Chase leans back in his chair and raises his hands high in the air in mock surrender, “I got your back, man. I’m on board.”
With those last words, Travis turns away from Chase and looks to Stryker. “Just leave my handgun alone. I’ll finish it when I get back.” He grabs his keys off the kitchen counter and doesn’t even brush past me to leave out the front door. Instead, he leaves out the set of French doors just off to the side of the kitchen, where the den is. I jump back, startled when he slams the door behind him.
The room goes completely quiet as I just stand here awkwardly, feeling more stupid by the second for wearing his clothes. As I look around the room, all the guys stare at me in silence with a bit of sympathy.
I bite my bottom lip out of nervousness, and I wonder if they’re all upset and blaming me for Travis’ bad mood. I’m seconds away from doing an about-face and running back to the bedroom to drown myself in self-pity and tears, but Quinn catches my attention. He shoves his seat back and gets up, quickly making his way toward me in a determined manner.
When he reaches me, he holds out his hand for me to take in a silent gesture of amity. “You hungry?” he gently asks. Looking like a lost kitten, I nod, not saying a word. He gestures with his outstretched hand again, softening his eyes as he wills me to accept his hand in an act of kindness as he prods, “C’mon, I’ll find you something you can eat. We have a little bit of everything here.”
I tentatively slip my hand into his and he pulls me into his side, wrapping his arm around me in a comforting hug. His warm embrace settles me, reminding me of the brotherly love only Jake could provide. God knows it feels good to have someone show some empathy. I have to admit; I didn’t expect Quinn, of all people, to show any compassion. His exterior is always so Rambo-like, but come to think of it, so is Jake’s.
With his arm around me, he guides me to the refrigerator, and as he opens the door, he leans down to whisper in my ear, “Don’t take it personally. He didn’t get his beauty sleep last night. Had to sleep on the sofa with Ranger, who snored in his ear all night.” He tilts his head down to meet my eyes with a silly grin playing on his lips, looking to get a reaction from me. “Sometimes his hormones go all dysfunctional, and when they do, he’s worse than a houseful of women PMSing with no chocolate.”
Stryker overhears the conversation, and mumbles under his breath, “You fuckin’ got that right.” My lips curve into a small smile. I can’t help it, and Quinn’s goofy grin is a bit comical, along with Stryker’s comment. His bright, blue eyes twinkle with satisfaction when I return his smile, and he gives me an extra squeeze in what only feels like a brotherly hug.
“He’ll blow off some steam and get over it.” Quinn reassures me, and then gives me a playful wink. “Okay?” Still feeling shy, I nod my head once again.
