He nodded to his twin, who didn’t look much like him at all except for the gray eyes. His face was a blank mask, the exact opposite of August.
I gave them the best smile I could manage. “Hi, I’m Palmer.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” August grinned.
Fox merely nodded in acknowledgment.
“I would say it’s good to finally meet you as well, but considering the circumstances, that’s not exactly true.”
August chuckled low. “Fair enough.” He glanced at my bandages. “I’m sorry about everything that’s led up to this.”
I shrugged, not knowing what to say in response.
Fox stepped forward and silently took Hailey from Roman’s arms. His face, which had seemed so hard and unreadable, softened as he held her.
“She’ll be safe with us,” Fox told his oldest brother.
Roman nodded, though he seemed strangely lost with his empty arms.
August stepped closer to me. “You’ll be safe too, Palmer,” he murmured. “I’m not sure what my brother has told you, but if you come to the safe house, you will be protected.”
I nodded, even as another wave of apprehension rolled through me. I didn’t want to go, but staying felt like a betrayal.
Fox walked Hailey to the SUV and buckled her into a booster seat in the back.
August turned to Roman, patting him on the shoulder. “I think it’ll be a couple days yet before we’ll make it back to EmberHollow. I have a few things I need to put into place at the safe house first.”
Roman nodded, dazed.
“You gonna be all right by yourself until then?”
Roman glowered. “I’ll be fine,littlebrother.”
August rolled his eyes. He was anything but little. He was almost as muscular as Roman.
“Right,” August drawled. “Just watch your back, old man.”
Roman huffed, but there was a hint of a grin at the corner of his mouth.
Before August walked away, he held his hand out toward Roman, who studied it briefly before his face softened. The two of them clasped hands, and then pulled each other into a quick, tight embrace.
It was raw and real and so brotherly, my heart swelled.
When they broke apart, August grabbed our bags and returned to the SUV. He put the two suitcases in the trunk before opening the driver’s side door and shooting me an expectant look.
I took a hesitant step toward him, but Roman grabbed my wrist.
His chest rose and fell in heavy pants, like he couldn’t catch his breath.
The SUV door closed behind me, and for a moment I wondered whether they would leave me. Perhaps I wanted them to.
Roman stepped closer, until our bodies were almost touching. His warmth wrapped around me; his familiar cedarwood and smoke scent filled my lungs and made my blood hum.
He kept one hand wrapped around my wrist, and with the other, he cupped my cheek.
“Stay safe,” he whispered.
My pulse thrummed.
