Crave (Talon Security #1)(12)

“Sorry, still working through the downstairs remodel. Shit timing,” he grumbled as he walked with me upstairs.

“It’s okay. I’m sorry to intrude,” I rasped as he showed me to his guest room. I looked around the simple bedroom, outfitted with a bed and not much else.

I’d been to his place a few times. The location was amazing, walking distance to the beach, but I’d always been on him to decorate. He’d bought it as a fixer-upper and had been gradually doing work on it himself. In my opinion, his place felt barren and cold, in need of a woman’s touch—if he ever got around to letting a woman into his life.

“You’re not intruding, you know that,” he replied firmly as he watched me with concern.

I sat heavily on the bed, looking down at my hands twisted in my lap before staring up into the eyes of my very worried big brother.

“I’m okay,” I lied, wanting to reassure him.

“You aren’t okay,” he gritted out, his eyes blazing with murder. After a few deep breaths, he composed himself, outwardly at least. “You got the shit beat out of you. And what the hell was that with Sid?” The question weighed heavily in the air.

“That was a culmination of years in the making.” I sighed.

His brow pinched in confusion. “Is that Greek? Speak English here, Sam.”

“It’s Greek for something happened between us before he left and it’s clear he doesn’t see me like that,” I retorted. “And that’s all you need to know and all you want to know,” I clarified.

“You need me to kick his ass?” he asked, and I knew he wasn’t entirely kidding. They were both powerfully built men with combat experience; truth be told, I wasn’t sure who would come out on top if they were to ever come to blows.

I snorted through tears. “Not at the moment.” I looked up at him imploringly. “What was he doing there tonight anyway?”

He looked apologetic. “I called him when I was en route. I knew things were tense between you, but I didn’t know they were that bad. I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have called him had I known.”

“That’s okay.” I sighed. “Who the hell were those guys, Trav?”

His eyes darkened. “It sounds like Osip Ivanov. He’s a Russian mob boss. I can’t confirm yet, not without more intel. But I’ll find out, Sam. I’ve got my entire team on this. Nothing’s gonna happen to you.”

I nodded, my fingers twisted in my lap.

“I think you need some sleep,” he assessed. “Do you want to call Piper?”

I shook my head, lying down on the bed on top of the covers. “Too tired,” I mumbled.

“I’ll let you be. Get some rest, okay?”

I nodded, tears burning my eyes.

I fell into a deep sleep, my body shutting down, forcing itself to escape from reality.

When I woke up, familiar arms were wrapped around me from behind. Two thoughts simultaneously entered my mind: I couldn’t believe she’d flown out here, and I must have been asleep a hell of a long time.

Piper.

“How’d you know?” I grated out, my throat like sandpaper.

“Travis and Sid called,” she replied, simply giving me a squeeze. “I’ll kick your ass later for not calling me.”

“I can’t believe you flew out here,” I marveled, turning to face her.

She rolled her eyes, shoving me gently. “Of course I did. You’d do the same for me. When was the last time you ate?” she asked quietly.

“It’s been a while,” I admitted. “What time is it?”

“Just after two.”

I gaped at her in shock. “Holy shit, I can’t believe I slept that long.”

She squeezed my hand briefly. “You must have needed it.” She sat up and I knew she was in take-charge mode. “Now, go wash your face, change your clothes, and come down. Your brother cleared some space down in the construction zone,” she muttered.

“Fine,” I mumbled, feeling like I could stay buried under the covers for a week.

I winced when I got a look at myself in the mirror. My left eye was nearly swollen shut, my nose was swollen, and my skin was puffy and pale. I looked like death warmed over.

“Trav went to work?” I asked when I wandered into the kitchen after cleaning myself up. I looked around. Trav had obviously cleared away some of the plastic wrap covering the countertops, and had pulled out a table and chairs from somewhere.

“Yep, but not before showing me five times how to work the alarm and telling me that some guy named Theo is parked out front. Now, sit,” she ordered, pointing to the eat-in kitchen table and depositing a plate of grilled cheese and a cup of coffee down. “Eat.”