Crave (Talon Security #1)(47)

After a breakfast that I didn’t eat much of, we crawled back into bed with Trixie nestled between us. I was still wrung out and my face hurt, though thankfully, it didn’t look as bad as it felt.

“This is either the best or worst time to bring this up,” I ventured when we’d been lying quietly for awhile. “But Piper’s wedding is coming up fast. It would mean the world to me to be able to go, especially since I’m her maid of honor.”

His body stiffened only for a moment and I soldiered on.

“With Osip locked up, I figure it’d be okay now—or at least a lot better than before,” I rushed to add.

His hand splayed across my back. “I’ll talk to the guys.”

It was more of an answer than I’d gotten before so I nodded, deciding not to press further, at least for now.

“Should we start looking for a place? Brad should be back soon—though he was vague on the details last time we talked,” I added as it hit me, really hit me for the first time, that Sid and I were going to build a home together.

He pulled me closer, kissing my head. “Yeah, babe. I have a few ideas about that.”

I propped my chin against his chest, looking up at him. “Oh?”

“There’s a place right near Danny and Cade’s for sale. I thought we’d go look at it. Figured it’d be best if you were close to them for the times when I’m gone.”

We hadn’t talked much about when life returned to normal—when I wasn’t under threat and he went back to taking dangerous jobs overseas.

“Sid, I don’t have the money to buy a house,” I protested.

He shrugged. “I do.”

I knew he did well, working at Talon, but we’d never talked specifics.

“Sid....” I trailed off pensively.

“Baby, I make really good fucking money—more than I can spend. The trade-off is that my job can be dangerous. When I’m gone, it would put me at ease knowing you’re near my brother and who I hope someday soon is his wife. Just look at the place, okay? Please?”

I bit my lip, thinking about that. Then I looked into his hopeful eyes and couldn’t do anything but nod. “All right. But just to look,” I warned with a severity we both knew was bogus.

He smiled, his dimples on full display. “Just to look.” His gaze grew serious as his eyes swept my face. “Why don’t you sleep a little longer? Do you need anything for the pain?”

I shook my head, realizing how exhausted I was. “I’ll be fine, but yeah, some more sleep sounds good. Will you stay? Just for a little while?”

“Not going anywhere, sweetheart,” he murmured, taking my lips in a close-mouthed sweet kiss before situating himself in a way that told me that no, he wasn’t going anywhere.

****

The distant clang of the doorbell woke me from a deep sleep. Trixie came out from her place buried underneath the covers with a quiet woof.

I rubbed my eyes, feeling groggy as I sat up, noting that Sid’s side of the bed was empty. He stuck his head in through the door a moment later. “Hey, babe, your brother’s here.”

I nodded as Trixie jumped down from the bed, undoubtedly ready to be let outside. “Okay, give me just a minute and I’ll be out.”

I dragged myself to the bathroom, feeling stiff from sleeping so hard. I started the shower, needing the warm water to pull me out of my groggy state before I was ready to face anyone, even Travis.

I knew why he was here. Of course he wanted to check on me; he was a good big brother like that. But no doubt he also needed to finish his conversation with Sid from earlier.

After a relatively quick shower, I got dressed and put on some makeup, needing to feel more like myself. My nose looked much better with just some minor swelling along the bridge and some light bruising under both eyes. With one final look in the mirror, I noted that my green eyes were bright with determination instead of the fear that had been pervasive for the last few days.

“Hi, Trav,” I greeted him when I found both guys drinking coffee in the living room. He rose when he saw me, walking over to wrap me in a gentle hug.

“So glad you’re okay.” He blew out a relieved breath. “How’re you holding up?”

I looked to Sid, feeling as though our bond had cemented that much more following our conversation. “I’m doing okay. I’m in good hands.” I looked back to my brother, determined to appear confident. “I know I need to make a statement. Let’s get it over with.”

“Sam...,” Sid’s concerned voice sounded as Travis looked down at me worry evident in his brown eyes.

“Really,” I reiterated. “I’d rather just do it now rather than feel like I’m moving forward and then have to relive it all again.”