Dangerous Surrender(22)

“Oh, had Brannon pick her up after we got back from the hospital.” Nicholas Brannon worked security at the Serafina. Since Roman wasn’t sure what was going to happen with Taylor and he’d known his brother would be exhausted after his last job, he’d wanted to make sure the dog was taken care of for a while. And Brannon would spoil the dog more than Vadim. Clearing his throat, he continued. “Thanks for the clothes. Did you get her a sweater?” It was chilly outside.

Logan gave him a strange look and nodded at one of the chairs at the island where a black cardigan was slung across the back. “Yeah. Taylor tells me you two are headed to the police station.”

“Yeah.” He’d been scarce on information about her, only telling his twin the basics when he’d asked him to bring her clothes. And that wasn’t like him. But he felt a strange proprietary sense toward her. Even where his twin was concerned.

“Should I come along?” There was a note in his twin’s voice he recognized. It was subtle, but it almost sounded like Logan was baiting him. Or at least trying to push him for some reason. Probably because he’d been so secretive about Taylor and the whole situation.

“Nah, you just got off a long stretch. We’ll be fine.” It was true that Logan had just come off a longer than normal security job for their boss, Wyatt. He’d been on an out of town trip and taken on more responsibility since Wyatt’s normal right-hand man, Jay Wentworth, had some old SEAL buddies in town for the week and had taken off. Roman didn’t really care that Logan had come off a job though, he wanted Taylor all to himself, not around his charming twin.

His brother’s dark eyes narrowed a fraction, but he nodded. “All right.”

Roman looked back at Taylor and his heart rate kicked up about a hundred notches. “We’ve got insulated cups if you want to bring your coffee with you.”

She shook her head, her cheeks slightly flushed. “I’m good, but thanks. I just need to grab my shoes from upstairs and I’ll be ready to go.”

He nodded, watching as she said something else to his brother, then headed out of the kitchen. Even though it was instinct to trail after her with his gaze, he didn’t. Instead, he headed for the coffee pot and grabbed a mug from the cabinet above it.

“What’s going on with you? Why don’t you want me going along?” Logan asked.

Roman shrugged, but his shoulders were stiff. “I know you’ve got better things to do.”

“This isn’t about Taylor?” His brother’s voice was dry.

“No. I’m ready to get rid of her.” A big fucking lie. One that tasted bitter in his mouth.

Logan snorted. “Bullshit.”

He glanced over his shoulder at his brother. “You think I like dealing with this situation?”

“I think you like her and you don’t want me around.”

Damn his brother and their fucking twin bond. He could never hide anything from Logan. All he had to do was walk into a room and his twin just got a vibe for how he was feeling. It was the same for Roman. They’d driven their mother insane when they’d been kids.

“I also think salt is going to taste nasty in your coffee.” Logan tilted his chin toward the open cabinet where Roman had his fingers clenched around a container of salt.

Damn, he was distracted. He let it go and grabbed the sugar before turning to face his brother. “You’ve got a smug look on your face.”

Logan lifted his hands and framed his face with his fingers into a square. “This handsome mug?”

The corners of Roman’s mouth lifted. “Yeah. Why?”

“Why? Because you like this girl enough that you brought her back to our place.”

“I only brought her here to keep her safe. And she slept in your bed.” After that kiss they’d just shared, he really wished it had been in his bed instead.

“Too bad I wasn’t there. She wouldn’t have gotten any sleep.”

Before he realized he’d moved, Roman took a step forward—and stopped when Logan’s face split into a wide grin.

“You’re a dick,” Roman muttered.

Logan’s grin just grew wider. “Roman and Taylor, sitting in a tree—”

He groaned. “You’re so fucking infantile. Seriously, I don’t know how you ever get laid.”

Logan shrugged and moved past him, grabbing Roman’s mug, like he normally did. Roman started making another cup as his brother said, “You know how. It’s this handsome face and charming personality.”

“You’re in a mood this morning. Good trip?” he asked as the machine started brewing another cup.