When the door finally opens, Mikey steps out first, one hand resting on her back, like he is protecting her from the world.
All I can do is stand there and stare at her. She is clinging to my brother like he’s the only oxygen left in the room.
Mikey notices me and narrows his eyes.
“Don’t,” he warns.
I lift my hands in surrender, even though my blood is boiling. “Relax. I’m not here to steal your girl.”
His nostrils flare.
Julia looks between us, confused.
“Are you okay?” I ask her gently.
She nods, but I can tell it’s a lie. I can see her fingers are still trembling.
“Let’s get out of this hallway,” Mikey says as he guides her past me.
But as she walks by, I lean in just enough for her to hear me, “Whatever you’re scared of… we can handle it.”
She freezes in her tracks, and her eyes snap up to mine.
She stares at me for a split second, I hear her breath stop, and I can see in her eyes that she believes me.
Kai Monroe–The fuck up, fighter, smart ass twin– just made her breath stop.
Mikey notices and glares at me. “This isn’t a fucking competition,” He grits out.
“It never was,” I say quietly. “But she’s not just yours.”
His jaw tightens, and his hands ball into fists. He is ready to hit me.
Julia steps between us and looks from me to Mikey. “Please…” She whispers. “Not here.”
We both shut up instantly. Neither of us can say no to her, and honestly, that should scare the shit out of us.
She turns and walks ahead of us toward the bar, and for once, Mikey and I are both silent.
But I know he can feel the shift in the air, and the truth hanging between us.
We are both in this now, we’re both hers now.
And whoever she’s running from? They’re not taking her from either of us.
The second we step back into the main part of the bar, the noise hits me. The music is thumping, glasses clinking, and guys yelling over a pool table. The rest of the team is crowded around two high-top tables pushed together, already halfway through their drinks.
The moment they see Julia between us, everyone goes dead quiet for a half a second, then the chirping starts.
Luca whistles low. “Damn, she didn’t run away from you two? Miracles do happen.”
Cross elbows Sinclair in the ribs, and smiles. “Look at them. Twin guard dogs.”
Sinclair nods like he is analyzing a fucking crime scene. “If one more person even looks at her wrong, Kai’s gonna break a chair over someone’s spine.”
He’s not wrong.
Mikey guides Julia to the table and pulls out her chair. He claims the seat to the right of her, so I take the seat on the left side, trapping her between us.
