“No. Why don’t you tell us what happened last night?” Ryker asked quietly, determination threading through his tone.
Heath drew up short, and it took several seconds for him to realize Ryker was asking about the fight, not his sexual escapades. “Oh. Well, you already know. Carl was mean to Anya, it triggered memories of my mother, and I saw black.”
“It was different,” Denver said. He cleared his throat. “Different.”
Heath replayed the night in his head. His rage had felt personal . . . and painful. In the moment, all he could think about was protecting Anya from pain. Any pain. It wasn’t about women or bullies. It had all been about Anya. Only her. “Yeah, I guess it was. Anya is different.” He sighed.
Ryker cut a look at Denver. “That’s what we figured.”
“I don’t need another warning,” Heath said, his chest heating.
“Not gonna give you one.” Ryker drank his beer. “If you want to tell her the full truth about us, it’s okay. We talked about it earlier while you were at the FBI.”
Heath blinked. He coughed out. “You did?”
“Yep,” Denver said.
No. Definitely no. “I’m not looking for a permanent relationship, you guys. This is temporary, because as soon as we’re done here, we’re going after Madison and Cobb. To the death.” The words burst out of him in a rush, and he quickly calmed himself down. A part of him wanted to tell Anya everything, but then she’d be smack in the middle of his fucked up world. Could he keep her safe from Sheriff Cobb? How could he take a chance like that with her life? “I appreciate the support, but I can’t do a relationship now.”
“Sometimes they grab you by the neck, toss your ass on the ground, and grind your heart into pulp until you give in,” Ryker said, flashing a dimple.
Heath snorted. “Graphic.” His brother had a way with words. Had he been tossed on his ass? Sometimes it felt like it.
The idea of letting Anya go curled his fingers into a fist. So he controlled his voice. “I’m fine. Stop worrying.”
Ryker rolled his eyes. “Don’t be a dork. We just wanted to give you the all clear in case you wanted to tell her the truth.” His phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen. “They’re ready to go to the cocktail party. We’d better get a move on.”
Heath glanced at the bird.
“I’ll take him outside and let him free,” Denver said. “No problem.”
Heath settled into the fact that his brothers would back his play, no matter what it was. Even if it put them in danger. “Thanks, guys.” He led the way through the garage and up to the apartments. “I need a quick shower and will be out in a few minutes.”
“I’ll be ready in a few.” Ryker disappeared into his apartment.
Hey. They hadn’t talked about Denver’s drinking at all. Being silent was sure working in his brother’s favor. Heath shook his head and shoved open his door, then stopped cold at seeing Anya in the middle of the room. He whistled.
She turned. “Like it?”
His heart rolled over, and his cock sprang to attention like he’d swallowed an entire bottle of those blue pills advertised on television late at night. “Yeah.” A deep green dress stretched across her high chest and fell to almost her knees. The back was bare. Her stunning back was revealed . . . with no bra. “I like it a lot.” His voice turned hoarse.
She smiled, and her entire face turned pink. Deep smoky eye shadow brought out the amazing hue of her eyes, and a muted pink curved along her pretty lips. “Thanks.”
“You’re missing something, though.” He wandered around her, pretending to take note.
“What?” She messed with her hair, which fell in long curls to her shoulders. “What did I forget?”
He reached for the box in his jeans. “This.” His hand almost shook as he held out the square velvet box. None of this was real, but still, he held his breath. “It’s yours.”
CHAPTER
26
Anya’s nerves fired, and it wasn’t just from alertness about the case. She blinked rapidly, trying to focus. “What is that?” she asked. She couldn’t look away from the velvet box. A small box—small enough for a ring. Was it a ring? What was going on? Her heart clamored.
For an answer, Heath flipped open the top. “It’s your engagement ring.”
She gasped. Diamonds surrounded the most stunning emerald she had ever seen. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed, almost afraid to touch it. Wait a minute. Confusion clouded her mind. She focused on his face and not the rampant emotions running through her. Those were totally out of place. “I don’t understand.”
