At his cold reiteration of her hasty text, Darci winced at the unintentional provocative wording. Ugh, she’d had to text fast with her brother and Grace hovering. “I’m sorry. My brother and sister-in-law turned up. It’s their anniversary. They wanted to go out—”
“Dars? What’s going on?” At her brother’s sharp voice, she froze.
Blaéz’s eyes narrowed as Declan stepped protectively to her side. Somehow, he must have seen Blaéz drag her off.Damn, damn, damn!So not how she wanted this first meeting between them to occur.
Grace appeared, her expression alive with curiosity. She handed Darci her evening purse. At another’s presence on her right, Darci groaned. Alex had turned up as well, probably as backup for Declan. With Blaéz dressed in leathers, and that cold stare, appearing all badass lethal? No, he wouldn’t inspire the confidence her protective family demanded.
Darn it! Why did these things only happen to her? And why couldn’t Alex act gay or something?
Blaéz folded his arms over his chest, looking too big, too dangerous, too…everything.
Aggression oozed off Declan.
Before things got out of hand, she hastily made the introductions. “Blaéz, this is my brother, Declan. Grace, my sister-in-law, and that’s Alex, a friend. Dec, Blaéz was the one who rescued Daniel and brought him to me.”
His narrowed eyes filled with suspicion, Declan cut her a sharp look. “Why didn’t you tell me this?”
“You were upset that night. You just came in and hauled Daniel home, remember?”
“Honey.” Grace rubbed his biceps. “Why don’t we go outside and have this conversation? It’s far too noisy in here.”
His jaw rigid, Declan nodded.
Blaéz grasped her hand again and pulled her along with him like she had no sense of direction. Some distance from the club, he stopped next to a black SUV parked at the curb near a gloomy building. His fingers slid to her nape, warm and heavy, he drew her against him.
Darci thought for sure her heart would crash through her ribs and land at her feet at his possessive gesture in front of her family. And there went her brother’s eyes again—narrowing. Grace smiled. Yep, her sister-in-law already knew Blaéz was the one Darci had spoken of.
“What exactly is it you do?” Declan demanded of Blaéz.
Darci answered in a breathless rush, “Blaéz is, er, special ops.”
She could practically feel Declan struggle to accept what she’d revealed. That Blaéz wasn’t really a thug.
Good manners finally won over. “Thanks for saving my son.”
“No thanks necessary, just doing my job.”
“No,” Grace said softly, a hand on her pregnant tummy, “if it weren’t for you, I dread to think what could have happened to Daniel.”
Declan rubbed Grace’s arm in a soothing gesture. “Daniel will be fine, love. He’s safe with your parents now.” He glanced back at Darci. “I think we should head home. Alex will drive you.”
Declan obviously refused to give up on his matchmaking.
“There’s no need. I will.”
At Blaéz’s resolute tone, Darci knew nothing would shift him from what he wanted.
Declan looked ready to peel her away from Blaéz and drag her off himself.
To avoid any more discord, Darci told her brother with quiet determination, “Dec, I’m leaving with Blaéz.”
His features tightened. When he didn’t say a word, Darci swallowed her sigh. She hugged Grace and hissed softly, “Tell him about Alex.”
It was the only way Declan would ever give Blaéz a chance.
* * *
As they drove toward East Village, possessiveness and betrayal tore through Blaéz. This surprised him since he’d felt nothing when he’d received her text, he only knew she’d broken her promise to him.
