Chapter Twelve
“I’m going to swing by the pub and see if my phone is there,” Dallas said.
“You want to check on your brother.”
Dallas sent her a quick look before signaling a left turn. “That too.” Ten minutes later, he parked behind the pub and climbed out of his truck. “Are you coming?”
She nodded and joined him at the rear door. Gesturing for her to enter first, he silently applauded her courage. She had far more to lose than him. While his parents might express horror or anger at his choice of woman, they’d never reject him outright.
The pub wasn’t open yet, and he led her up to the top floor apartment.
“The windows are still intact,” she said.
“We hired a security company,” Dallas said. “The regular patrol acts as a deterrent.” He let himself into the silent apartment.
“He must be in bed. You’d better wait here. I want to make sure Patrick is wearing clothes when he wanders out.”
“Spoilsport,” she said with a wink.
He was still chuckling when he tapped on the bedroom door. “Hey, Patrick. Are you awake?”
“I am now,” Patrick muttered. “I didn’t get to bed until one this morning.” He shot upright in bed. “Bro, you left your phone here.”
“That’s why I’m here.”
Patrick climbed out of bed, glowering at Dallas the entire time. “Why do you have a photo of a Drummond on your phone? A naked photo. Are you fuckin’ crazy? Why would you hook up with a Drummond?”
“Shush,” Dallas said.
Patrick made a rude sound while he rubbed his face and ran a hand through his hair. When finished he resembled a spiky hedgehog—a perfect match for his testy mood. “The mystery blonde. A fuckin’ Drummond.”
“I was hoping you wouldn’t recognize her.”
“I told you I saw her in the pub a few weeks ago. Fuck, Dallas. A Drummond. She’d better be good in bed, that’s all I can say, because I can’t think of any other reason for you to hook up with the enemy.”
Irritation swooped through Dallas, and he glared at Patrick. “Don’t talk about her like that.”
“I’m very good in bed,” Laura said in a firm voice and stepped into the bedroom. “But I believe your brother likes my brain and my sense of humor too. Dallas looks better than you naked.” She sent Dallas a chagrined smile. “Sorry, I looked before I could help myself. I guess that means a punishment, huh?”
Dallas watched Patrick’s eyes widen, and his mood lightened. Trust Laura to diffuse the situation with humor.
“Besides,” she said in a prim tone. “If he’s seen me naked, it’s only fair I see him. He can tease me about my knobby knees, and I can poke fun at his beer belly.”
“I don’t have a beer belly,” Patrick snapped. “Christ Jesus, I need coffee.”
“I’ll make it,” Laura said, backing out of the bedroom.
“A Drummond,” Patrick said again with a shake of his head. A lock of black hair flopped over his forehead, and he shoved it away with an impatient hand.
“Put on some clothes.” Dallas’s glance drifted to Patrick’s middle, and he smirked.
“Fuck off with your girlfriend and help make coffee,” Patrick snapped.
Chuckling, Dallas scooped up his phone and sauntered out to the kitchenette, good humor settling on his shoulders like his favorite leather jacket. The very first hurdle over, and the sky hadn’t bombarded them with bolts from heaven.
“Okay?” Laura glanced over her shoulder, pausing in measuring the coffee grounds.
“Yeah.” Dallas went to her, gave her a hard, swift kiss.
