“Hey, buddy.What’s wrong?”I ask.
Liam gestures toward the kid’s other arm and responds, “He was being too rough with the dog, so it nipped at him and ran off.”I glance at the sleeve in question but find no proof of a bite.“We already checked, and he’s fine.Not a mark on him.”
A shadow falls over me.The hairs on my nape rise and terror clogs my throat, but the dog’s soft fur and happy lick ground me in the present.
I rise and move away from the newcomer even as he speaks.
“Of course my son is fine.He just needs to toughen up and make sure the dog knows who’s boss.Stop crying, Clark,” Taylor Devon demands.
The second son of a billionaire, Taylor Devon has never had to work a day in his life, but he stands as though he’s the most accomplished man in the building.
Pure disgust twists my insides as my ex-stepfather’s voice rings through my memories.He often berated my stepbrother for the most ridiculous things, and after Brennan left, he turned his attention to me.
The boy quiets.My heart hurts for him.
“He pulled the dog’s tail,” Liam says.The contempt in his tone relays his disgust at the chauvinistic opinion.
“The dog doesn’t care.He’s already forgotten.Hell, I would too for a taste ofthat,” Taylor says.
I follow his gaze to my breasts.Worms crawl on my skin, turning the dog’s innocent licks to something more sinister.With a few gentle strokes of its head, I guide its mouth away from my chest.
Liam offers Taylor his son’s hand as Carlos walks around them and takes the dog from my arms.I step partially behind him as he returns the animal to its owner.
The ache in my heart worsens.
“Thanks for watching the runts for me.I’ll take them to my wife now,” Taylor sneers.After glaring at Carlos for ruining his opportunity to cop a feel of my breasts, he turns and stomps away.
As he leads the child down the hall toward the atrium with the dog tucked against his side, I take a deep breath and grimace at the saliva on my skin.
Carlos offers me a tissue from his coat pocket.
“Thank you, Mr.Lopez,” I say as I accept it.
“You’re very welcome, Ms.Tripp,” he responds.
The ball of dread lodged in my chest remains, but my fight-or-flight response dissipates as Carlos and Liam use their bulk to shield me from the guests at the end of the hall.
These are the only two men in the entire world I trust to stand so close.
“We should tell him we’re gay.He’ll never thrust his kid on us again,” Carlos mumbles.
Mirth tugs at my lips.His sass never fails to amuse me.Our irreverent humor is how we slowly became friends over the years.
I look down to hide my face as I wipe the slobber off my cleavage.
“Neither of us knows how to act gay enough for him to believe us,” Liam deadpans.
I choke on a laugh and shake my head despite needing another tissue.When I lift my gaze, quiet relief shines from both men’s eyes.Guilt tightens my chest.I should’ve hidden my emotions better, but I haven’t been that close to a meltdown in over a year.
Their lack of sexual interest in women has helped me move past my trauma over the years while their kindness has earned them a rare spot on my very short list of friends.
Carlos offers me more tissues.
Liam crosses his arms over his muscular chest and glares at Carlos.
“Why are you carrying two tissue packets?”he demands.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mr.Brunswick,” Carlos snarks.
