Page 40 of Lost in the Light

“Fuck,” he growled as he looked to me with frustration. “Fine. My head does hurt like a sonofabitch.” He turned to Adam and Jordan. “Make sure she damn well eats something, and stay with her tonight,” he growled at them.

“Yes dad!” Jordan threw back dryly.

“Jordan…” Kane began, but Adam cut him off.

“Addy will be fine. Calm the fuck down and get some sleep.”

Kane turned to me and gave me a longing look. I wanted him to hold me at least. A kiss like the unexpected one we shared before would have been even better, but instead I just got the stern look, then he turned and stalked from the room.

“What was that all about?” Eli asked as he looked to his brother.

“I think we all need to have a long chat,” Asher said as he looked from the door Kane had stormed through, to Jordan, Adam, and finally me. I knew I was blushing furiously, my face aflame with heat. Asher obviously sensed something between the four of us, and even though we hadn’t technically done anything much, I was filled with guilt. Would Asher and Eli be mad at me for having feelings for their friends? Was I going to mess everythingup for all of them? “But it can wait. Let’s get something quick to eat, then head to bed,” Asher added, much to my relief.

That was a conversation I would be avoiding for as long as humanly possible, I decided as I slid from the bed. Asher wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his side as we left the room.

“Stop worrying so much, little dot. Everything will work out just fine. I promise you that,” he told me confidently and I chose, for that moment at least, to believe him.

CHAPTER 12

ADDY

The next morning had been quiet so far. Asher had insisted on staying in my room with me, for the rest of the night, after we all had a quick bite to eat. Adam had tried to convince him to go to his bed and sleep properly, but it seemed my brother was in full protector mode and had been determined to stay with me. Eli had stayed with me too, mainly, I thought, because he seemed as worried about Asher as I was. So we’d had something of a sleepover in my room, Eli and I laid on the bed - me under the comforter, and Eli on top - and Asher in the uncomfortable armchair as usual.

I’d gotten a few hours sleep before the early morning sunlight had roused me. Now Ash, Eli, and I were all in the kitchen drinking coffee together. Eli was sketching something in the book he seemed to have taken to carrying around with him, since he didn’t have access to his studio, where he usually disappeared off to. No one else was awake yet and I knew it was because they all had to be exhausted after the events of the previous day and night. Because of me.

“Any idea about when we can go home?” I asked from where I sat at the counter in the kitchen. I turned to Asher, sitting at the table looking at his e-mails on his cell.

“Soon, hopefully. The contractors are already working to repair the perimeter wall and rebuild the security office. Harris and Aleks have agreed to set up an even more modern security system for us as soon as the office is finished. Once that’s done, I promise I’ll get us all back home,” Asher explained.

“Where are Harris and the guys?” I asked.

“They’re staying at a hotel close by. There just isn’t enough room here for all of us.”

“We should invite them here for dinner. It seems the least we can do,” I suggested.

“That’s a good idea, sweetheart. I’ll ask them when we speak later,” Asher nodded.

“What will happen next, with the investigation, I mean?” I asked reluctantly. I was curious to know, but also afraid of any more secrets being uncovered and hurting my brothers more than they already were.

“All I care about is finding out who poses a threat to you. Harris and his team have agreed to keep investigating it for us. Everything else the FBI or local police can handle. I honestly don’t think I want to know anymore about the depravities of Joseph Lyle. It makes me feel sick just to share a name with the man anymore.”

“You think there’s still a threat? What if the explosion was just a distraction to destroy the evidence at the family home?” I mused aloud. “If that was the plan, they succeeded. They might not care about me, or what I do or don’t know.”

“Maybe, but until I can be sure, I’m not taking any risks. We will continue to look into things,” Asher said firmly.

“Okay,” I nodded. I wasn’t going to argue. There was no way I wanted to take any chance of being hurt or taken again. Or worse. I was happy to be careful and take precautions for as long as Asher felt it was necessary.

“I did want to talk about something else while it’s just the three of us,” Asher spoke again, gaining not just my attention, but Eli’s too. He stopped whatever he was drawing and turned to face Asher on the stool he sat on.

“I think I know where this is headed,” I uttered with despair as I looked to Asher pleadingly, begging him not to open this particular can of worms.

“I know, sweetheart, but I’m your big brother. This is part of the job,” he chuckled.

“What is? What’s going on?” Eli asked.

“I’ve noticed, so I’m sure you have too, Eli,” Asher began, then he looked to me. “You seem to be getting very close with Kane, Adam, and Jordan. When I tried to question Kane yesterday he didn’t deny that something’s going on between you.”

“He didn’t?” I gasped, my eyes lighting with hope at that tid bit of information.

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