Page 23 of Stolen

He and his brother picked up their stuff and headed for the third bedroom.

Hawk turned to Ariana, who had dissolved into giggles. He didn’t think he’d ever seen her actually giggle before, and it was adorable. He felt a stab of jealousy that it was Boomer who had brought that out in her, and not him.

“Sorry about that,” he said. “Boomer is… Boomer. He’s totally inappropriate, but he won’t really give you trouble.”

Ariana said, “He’s actually kind of likeable. It a weird, scary way.”

Hawk said, “I guess you’re used to being around armed, scary guys.” He touched her cheek briefly. “Maybe one day you won’t have to be.”

She put her hand over his. “I’m grateful that they’re here.” Heat rose between them, and she stepped back, looking self-conscious. “So, what’s the brother’s actual name?”

Hawk racked his brain, trying to remember if he’d ever heard it. “I don’t know.”

She stared at him. “Seriously?”

He shrugged. “I don’t think anybody knows. Except maybe Thanatos. Boomer’s brother is paranoid about everything. I think he thinks that if no one knows his name, he’s invisible.”

Ariana stared at him. “So… what do you call him?”

“Um. People try not to talk to him, actually. He mostly just growls back, anyway.”

“Right.” She thought for a moment. “I can’t just call him Boomer’s brother, like he doesn’t even have an identity of his own.”

He could see her thinking of a name. He should have known; she’d always treated the men in her brother’s compound like people—whether they deserved it or not.

He gave a little shake of his head. Her giving the guy a nickname likely wasn’t going to end well. But Boomer’s brother probably wouldn’t hurt her, so… it would also be funny.

And he so fucking needed something to make him laugh right now.