He shrugged. “Probably from one of you.”
“What do you mean really related?” Teague narrowed his gaze at his brother.
“Shall I rip the Band-Aid off?” Lincoln asked, looking at Beau.
She straightened. “Cal and I got married this morning.
An collective gasp filled the room.
Teague bolted from where he leaned against a chair. Pepper tried to catch his arm but was too late.
“What did you say?” He stalked toward us.
I had the urge to put Beau behind me, though he’d never hurt her and she was more than capable of taking up for both of us.
She rolled her eyes. “You heard me.” She put a hand on his chest. “Would you prefer I marry Alex?” she asked sweetly.
“No, but you shouldn’t be with him either.”
“He just saved my ass. How about a little gratitude?”
She took up for me.
Teague looked as startled as I felt.
“He’s not good enough for you.” He scowled. “Nobody is.”
His words were like a punch to the stomach, confirmation of what I’d known all along. I wasn’t good enough for her. Never had been.
Somewhere the hope I hadn’t realized I’d been holding on to, the hope that maybe I was, burst into oblivion.
“I’m keeping her from marrying that woman beater,” I said darkly. “That’s it.”
Beau flinched.
Teague seemed somewhat satisfied. “That better be it.”
“Woman beater?” Lexie rushed over. “Did he hit you?” Her gaze roved over Beau, looking for any indication. The moment she saw the bruises along Beau’s jaw, she stepped back, horror on her features.
“I’m okay.” Beau pulled her friend in for a hug.
“You can talk to me,” Lexie said in her ear. “I know things have been crazy for all of us, but don’t forget you have people who love you.” She let go and her gaze zeroed in on me. “I don’t know what kind of relationship you two have, but whatever it is, you better respect Beau.”
I shuddered a little. That woman was more frightening than the threat of a punch from Teague.
“I do.”
Lincoln held up his phone. “I’ll call Zegas. You can fill him in on the pertinent details.”
I guessed the threats were over, much to my relief.
He dialed before I could protest. I’d heard of that Zegas guy. He was notorious for getting criminals off the hook. And he probably cost a fortune. How the hell was I going to find the coin for that as well? I could only hope for a deferred payment setup. And then I looked at Teague and bristled again at the anger in his eyes. You’d once been like a brother to me.
“I don’t like that you were sneaking around behind my back with my sister,” Teague said where only I could hear.
“You’ve made that clear.”
“But you’re separating when we’re sure it’s safe for her?”
My nostrils flared. “I’m doing what she tells me.”
While I wanted her to be free to return to normal life as soon as possible, part of me wanted her to need to stay married to me for an extended period. Probably was best I didn’t let Teague in on that.
“Keep your hands off her.”
“Should’ve told that Davenport ass that,” I returned coolly.
“If I’d known anything about him, I would have.”
“I plan to pay him a visit as soon as we figure out what angle we’re playing. I’ll let you know when.” I might’ve married Beau without his blessing, but I could let him and Lincoln come with me to teach that scum to never lay his hands on a woman again. If it were up to me, the bastard wouldn’t have a choice because I’d like to break his fingers off one by one.
“I’ll be there.”
“If you wanna move past all the bullshit, I’m game.” I shoved my hands in my pockets.
Lincoln extended the phone. “Here’s Zegas.”
Chapter Ten
Beau
“Spend-the-night party.”
Vivian clapped her hands as we dug into sandwiches from a nearby deli.
“We’ve invaded your home long enough,” Lincoln said.
Our entire family was in the Elliotts’ apartment. Literally. Nine humans and I’d lost count of how many dogs. But it had been at our hosts’ insistence.
Cal gently pulled me to the side. “These people are nice, but we can’t stay the night here.”
We? As in he and I? Or everyone?
It was weird thinking of us as a we, even though technically we had been for about six hours.
“You know why we need to,” I said.
His jaw worked. “Yeah. Your dad is a psychopath stalker. But I gotta go to work early in the morning. And as nice as this place is, we aren’t living our lives locked up in Tribeca.” His expression turned worried. “I have to go see Joe and check on Ma.”
“Did Zegas think he could help him?”
We hadn’t had much of a chance to talk because of the chaos. Most of the time had been spent lining up security details and schedules. All of us had lives to live. None of us wanted them to be dictated by one man any longer.
But we’d yet to figure out how to get out from under him once and for all.
“I’m not sure. I felt a little like I’d been slapped after the conversation.” He rubbed his cheek.
I hadn’t had much experience with the lawyer, but from what I knew of him, that was an accurate assessment. He was a lot to take in, but a brilliant attorney.
Cal ripped off a bite of his sandwich and seemed to swallow it without chewing. Was that because of being a fireman? I imagined they had a lot of interrupted meals.
“I’m supposed to meet them at four at the jail,” he said after taking a swig of water. He checked his watch. “Which means I have to get going soon.”
“I’ll come with you.” The words were out before I could think them through. Cal had been there for me. Going with him to see his incarcerated brother was the least I could do.
He blinked at me. I supposed I hadn’t been the most supportive person since I’d been back. Mostly, I’d taken.
“It’s probably safer if you stay here,” he said slowly.
“I thought we weren’t staying locked up in Tribeca?” I smiled sweetly.
“Maybe I should learn to keep my mouth shut,” he muttered under his breath.
“Or use it for other things.” My face flamed. I was flirting. And not making a secret that I wanted him. Two absolute no-nos.
He leaned in close. “Like kissing you.”
It wasn’t a question or suggestion. My lips tingled, desperate to feel his mouth on mine. Did he still kiss the same? Would it be like it used to be? Judging by the flutter in my stomach, it would be more . . . everything.
“Not that,” I whispered. I meant what I’d said. I only kissed people I loved. And my feelings toward Cal were a jumbled knot I hadn’t even begun to untangle.
His lips ghosted my cheek. “Definitely that.”
When he pulled back, I missed his heat. Felt the loss of his nearness.
And shuddered.