I don’t know what Tom can do to make any of this right.For her.For Wyatt.For any of us.It’s not like we can cut him out of our lives.He’s Sara’s brother and our business partner.And while he’s done a shit job at it for the past few weeks, he’s been there for her before.
His impulsiveness never bit her in the ass though.
This time it bit hard.I want to be there when he tells his mother what he did and what happened to Sara as a result of his actions.
Sara sighs and I look over the top of my laptop as she stretches.
“Time for a break, flower?”I arch an eyebrow and her smile turns coy.Fuck, I’m in love with this woman.Every fucking inch of her.
When she squirms on her chair, she winces.Her smile drops and I’m the one sighing.
“Why don’t I go make lunch and bring it to you?”I offer.
Her smile returns.“That would be nice.”
Her gaze darts to the kitchen door.Yeah, that’s the risk with one kitchen.We might run into Tom.Which reminds me, Drew and Wyatt have already punched him…
I smirk when Sara’s eyes meet mine.“I’ve got this, flower.”
When I stand, Wyatt watches me like he knows this is going to end in a fight.Fuck or fight.It’s the Lawson way.The kitchen is empty when I enter and I ignore the twinge of disappointment in my gut.
Fuck, fight, or food.Apparently.
The guys did well on their grocery trip.I find some pasta and veggies and some sauce.It shouldn’t take me long to whip this up.After putting water on to boil and cutting the vegetables, I slide the pan into the oven to roast the veggies while the pasta cooks.
As I pour the pasta into the pot, the door opens behind me.I stiffen, set the box down, and start my timer before I turn.
Tom walks in with his hands up.“I’m just here to get Natasha some crackers.”
I lean back on the counter and cross my arms and ankles.My gaze narrows on him as he walks to the pantry.
He sighs when I don’t say anything.He steps back from the pantry and meets my eyes.“I didn’t know?—”
My disbelieving noise stops his words.
“I never meant?—”
“Honestly, do you think Sara’s going to buy any of that?”I let my hands drop to my sides and step forward.
He steps back and I can see the shadow of a bruise on his jaw from the others, and maybe Sara.
“Don’t come in here and try to bullshit me, Tom.Maybe the others, but not me.”I shake my head and stir the pasta.“It’s offensive.You did it to get laid.”
“It isn’t like that.”Tom steps in, probably feeling safe since I haven’t made any moves to hit him.Good.“How well do you know Young?”
“Drew?”I cock an eyebrow as Tom leans against the counter next to the stove, looking into the pot.
“Does she know he runs a gentleman’s club?Peter used to take me there to discuss business.”Tom looks at the floor before lifting his gaze to the door leading to their section of the house.“How is Wyatt dealing with it?She and Drew seem close.”
I set the spoon down and check on the vegetables.“What do you want to know, Tom?”
He runs a hand through his red hair.“She and Drew must be serious if he tagged along with you guys.He and Wyatt got along pretty well when they were punching me in the face.”
I reach up and grab his jaw.The way he flinches away from me is satisfying.I dig my fingers into the bruises.Turning his head to the side, I look over the discolored skin.
“You got off easy.”
Tom steps back and knocks my hand off his face.“I told her to go to you guys.That you would protect her.What else was I supposed to do?”
