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“Just like that?” Nova asks.
Bane spins his coffee cup around on the table, keeping his gaze on his cousin. “If you wanted all the details, you're gonna be disappointed. It was a long time ago.”
My gaze cuts to him as soon as the lie rolls off his tongue. There's no way a man who remembers my coffee order after I mentioned itoncecan claim he doesn't remember anything.
“So, eight years ago, and then now? Nothing in between?” Nova asks, eyes narrowing.
I reach over and place my hand on his wrist to gain his attention. I keep my voice low and say, “I met Bane at a bonfire on the beach the summer before I left for college. It was one night.”
Nova opens his mouth like he's about to say something but quickly closes it again without uttering a word. His expression is still unreadable, but the fluttering muscle in his jaw gives him away.
“He only just admitted it was him last night, and with everything that happened and the hospital, I didn't have time to tell you. But I was going to. I wasn't hiding it or anything, okay?” I scan his face, looking for the small clues that he's still with me.
His gaze softens and he gives me a small nod. The tension in my chest loosens immediately. It's not gone, but I didn't realize I was so nervous about his reaction until right now.
And I guess that answers any questions I might have about my feelings for the St. James men. Well, some of them. I studiously avoid Silas's gaze, even though I can feel it burning into the side of my face.
But whatever is happening here, between me and them, it's something worth exploring. Worth nurturing and protecting. I can't deny the pull I feel toward all of them—even if one of those strings is pretty superficial.
“What a tangled web you've spun, butterfly,” Silas mumbles.
Bane cuts him a sharp glare, confusion pinching his mouth into a frown.
Nova flips his arm over, dislodging my hand so he can thread his fingers through mine. It's a statement of acceptance, one I'm more than happy to make.
Determined to get back to the matter at hand, I look at Bane. I watch the way his eyes flick from my face to my hand in Nova's grip and back to my face again.
I internally sigh. Okay, so this little triangle is going to be trickier to navigate than I realized. Though, to be fair to me, I haven't really put a whole lot of planning or thought into it. I was cultivating my carefree, spontaneous side, which means I was out to just have some fun.
And I still am. But I might catch some fucking feelings for these men if they're not careful.
“I'm sorry, but one night doesn't hold the same weight as a lifetime when it comes to trust.” I try my best to convey my regret, but I stand by it.
Bane's brows raise toward his hairline and he nods a few times. “If Nova asked you to trust him, would you?”
I rear back a little, shock parting my lips. I pull my hand from Nova's and sit back in my chair, leaving my hands in my lap. “What? No. This isn't about him or you or even Silas. But this is a big ask. I don't even know what they took. What if it's priceless family heirlooms? What am I supposed to tell my family?”
“Tell them the truth,” Silas says.
“You were robbed and we're taking care of it. Your family is generations-deep in Rosewood. They'll understand,” Bane says.
“And if they don't?” I press.
“Be persuasive,” Silas drawls. “I think you can manage that just fine, yeah?”
“What's that supposed to mean?” Nova snaps, sending Silas a dark look.
Silas just shrugs and glances to the side. “We about done here? I got a garage to open.”
I take the opening and scoot my chair back, the noise jarring in the quiet kitchen. It's the kind of absence of sound that you experience after a storm.
“I'm going to get going. It seems like you guys need to talk about a family thing. Or a club thing. Or—I don't know. I'm going to go though.” I trip over my words a little, but I'm trying to give myself grace.
Bane pushes to his feet at the same time Nova does.
“I'll drive you,” Nova offers, taking a step toward me.
“Oh.” I pivot to look at him, offering a small smile. “I have my car here, since Bane drove me last night. Besides, I have to meet Cora soon anyway. But thank you.”
