“True.”She shrugged.Again.
“If something happens to you, what happens to the money, El?”
“Why do you ask?”Hurt appeared in her eyes and it lanced him with molten heat.
“Because there has to be a reason for you to be targeted so often.I know you’re not even teasing about that night not being the first time it happened, and your guards?I mean, I know you’re wealthy, sweetheart, and families like yours need security, but for you to have three?To yourself?That’s excessive, surely?”
“Not really.My brothers have eight a piece, but that’s because they have a wife and two kids between them.Three was my bartering my father down.”
“And they’re seriously never targeted?”
“No.Rarely.If they are it’s not to do with their name but their political stance.”It was her turn to grimace.“They’re making waves.”
“Are those waves having repercussions with you?”
“No.The threats have been a part of my life for a long time.It’s why I’m pretty reclusive.”
He smiled.“I’m the same.”
“You are?”Her brows rose.“I would never have said that.”
“I work late into the night and sleep late usually… today’s a definite aberration.Working and sleeping late means I have to interact with fewer people which I love.Ryan’s more sociable because he has no choice.He works at Pride House though so I can sleep without being disturbed by his place in the Pride.”
“That’s kind of him.”
“We’re Triad brothers.We look out for each other,” he said simply.
She blinked at him.“You make it sound so easy.I really didn’t think three men as… Well, you’re all strong in your own right.I mean, I wouldn’t think you’d find it easy to get along as great as you do.”
He smiled.“You’d be surprised; we certainly have our moments, but that’s why the Triad bond is so special.It’s like living with yourself, but just another aspect of your character.So, I’m the recluse, but my more sociable part is Marcus.As he gets older, he’s less social, but people flock to him.He’s very kind and empathic, so that attracts a lot of our Pride.”
“As he gets older?”She cocked a brow.“Because he’s so ancient?”
Trip snorted.“He’s the same age as my parents.”
“No way!He looks so young.”
“He’s a hundred and fourteen.”
She gawked at him, then dumbly repeated, “No way.”
“Yes way,” Trip teased.“But we age differently… he’s not even middle aged yet.”
“Seriously?”she squeaked.
“Yep.When I first met him, he was, what you’d call, the life and soul of every party.But not anymore.”
“How come?”
He sighed, then dared to press his chin to the small divot her knees made where they met.She didn’t react poorly, if anything, she reached down and trailed her hand through his wet hair.He closed his eyes at the touch, tilting his head to give her better access.
“Your happy spot?”she teased, and he smiled at her but kept his eyes closed.
“A man has his secrets.You’ll know when you find them.”At her giggle, he grinned but said, “The longer we’re alone, the harder it gets.Marc’s been without a Triad for a long time.”
“How old are you and Ryan?”
“He’s sixty-four, I’m ninety-five.”
