Roman-1(Lane Brothers, Book 5)(84)

It was perfect, right down to the exact shading.

It had taken every power of self-control I possessed not to break down and fling myself at her, but I couldn’t do it. For Bee to finally pull herself together and accept responsibility for the mess she’s made, she needs to suffer a little.

Plus, I’m still a little pissed at her.

So I’d thanked her stonily and retreated to my bedroom while everyone else went on to breakfast. Now, as I sit in the confines of Jeff’s luxury jet, making my way back to the city that is in my blood, I feel a sense of fearful excitement and a not too small amount of fear.

“Are you sure you want to do this? Stay with me for a few weeks. Just till we’ve caught Brennan,” Jeff begs, his deep blue eyes pleading with me. “I won’t impose any restrictions on you other than to ask that you let my security guy shadow you. Please, Sis, I won’t be able to sleep a wink knowing you’re alone with that asshole on the loose.”

I sigh heavily, acknowledging the fear that had been plaguing me since we’d taken off. Sure, I’d made that big speech to Vincent and then to my parents about not allowing Eric’s specter to rule the rest of my life, but I am all too human, and as the jet nears the city I have to admit that I am terrified of living alone. I still have nightmares about Eric creeping into my apartment while I sleep.

I could take the risk with my life, but not now, not when my child’s life depends on my continued survival.

“I-I think I’d be okay with that. I didn’t want to admit it, but I’m still a little shaky about his disappearance, and the thought of waking up with that madman in my apartment… Don’t tell Daddy?”

I breathe out a sigh of relief when he nods and pulls me into his chest, his strong heartbeat and the heat of his arms erasing the panic that’s bubbling beneath the surface.

Amazingly, since Vincent left, Jeff and I had spent enough time together that we’re now more friends than anything else. I’ve come to know him so much better than the controlling brother and autocrat that Bee had described.

Underneath all that fire and bluster lies a sweet man still recovering from a broken heart and the pressures of running a multimillion dollar empire.

“I wish I could have fallen for you before I met that harlot,” he sighs for the millionth time, stroking the hair back off my forehead as I snuggle closer.

“You don’t think that would be weird? You’re like a big brother to me,” I laugh.

“Yeah, but my offer still stands if you decide not to tell Blake about the baby. I’d be good to you and the kid.”

“Yeah, but that’s not right, for either of us. I want a man who’ll love me completely, and you, you deserve a grand love. I refuse to let you settle for companionship, and furthermore, I will not stop harassing you if you continue to lock yourself away, only accepting one night stands with those gold digging hussies you’ve been doing. Seriously, Jeff, you’re better than that.”

“Jesus, why did I ever think being your friend would be easy?”

“I dunno. You have been drinking more lately,” I giggle, scowling mockingly when he tweaks my hair.

“Only to get through Christmas without wringing Bianca’s neck.”

Yeah, you and me both, buddy. I’d been determined not to spill the beans on Bee, for obvious reasons, but Jeff had noticed my freeze out attitude and harangued me mercilessly till I’d finally blurted it all out to him.

Let’s just say that she’s lucky she’s his baby sister, or I really believe Jeff would have killed her for her stupidity.

“You’re going to have to forgive her eventually, you know. I’m just waiting for her to regrow her spine before I let her back in. I suspect that won’t be too long in the making, if Justin has anything to say about it.”

He snorts and presses a swift kiss to my hair.

“More power to your brother. I just hope she can be sensible enough to fall for the guy and isn’t just using him as a crutch to get over this shit. I’d hate to see his heart get broken. Bianca is spoiled, Sis, and I hate to say it, but if she doesn’t love him there’s no way a city girl like her will be content as a rancher’s wife.”

That’s my fear too, but I don’t say anything as the pilot activates the seatbelt light and we start our descent.

“At the very least, you staying with me should drive Blake crazy,” he laughs suddenly, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief.

“I don’t play games like that, Jeff,” I say, but I’m laughing too at the thought of the look on Vincent’s face if he should ever see us together.