Page 132 of The Hero Within
"Then give me the fucking short version. Riley sent her friend Jimmy to track me down and tell me I better get my ass back here as soon as I could. Something about a plague, and Lily dying, and you all wrapped up in it." Adam scraped a hand through his short tawny hair. "We returned as soon as we could and went straight to Luc and Riley's house to find you and Lily, but you weren't there."
Eden tried to work out what to say. "I—I...."
"The plague hit, Eden learned there was a cure in Cortez City, but she needed a guide to cross the Rim, and what do you know, but there I was, trying to drown myself in good whiskey in the bar she walked into. Your sweet sister mercilessly blackmailed me into being her guide, and so we broke into the city, stole the cure, found the Confederacy asshole who unleashed the plague, and worked out a deal with a general, giving him the Copperplate mining rights." Johnny yawned and stretched. "I think that's the short version, yeah?"
Both of them blinked at him.
"You missed the part where you put your fucking hands on my sister." Adam took a dangerous step toward the bed, but Eden darted between them again.
"And you missed the part where I put my hands all over him. Hello? I'm over thirty. You do not make my decisions for me. Jesus, Adam, if you start a fight I will throw you out of my home. Johnny's a guest. My guest. And yes, we're sleeping together. Get over it. I'm a big girl."
Adam froze, and then turned toward her incredulously. "Ibuiltthis fucking house. You can't throw me out."
"You put the deed in my name when you walked out—"
"I seem to remember the story a little differently. I was forced to leave when this bastard"—Adam stabbed a finger toward Johnny—"shot me in the chest, and you took the amulet off to save my life."
"I thought we'd gotten past all of that?" Johnny arched a brow, joking lightly. "When I saved your ass in Rust City. Twice."
Eden glared at him, knowing he liked to lighten the mood whenever things got serious. "Not. Helping."
He held his hands up in surrender. "Sorry, my love."
"Love?" The word sounded like it got caught in Adam's throat—or up under a rib.
An amused chuckle sounded behind them. Mia leaned against the doorframe, her arms folded just under her breasts and her legs crossed. "Eden, have you been drinking? This is very much outside the rules."
Eden turned toward her sister-in-law. "Ha. Ha." Mia often mocked her for coloring inside the lines. "It was a stressful time. Johnny got under my skin before I even knew it."
Warm arms enveloped her from behind, and Johnny rested his chin on his shoulder. "I'm here to stay, McClain, so you'd better get used to me."
"Like hell I will."
Eden's heart fell. She adored her brother. But if he forced her to choose.... The mere thought of it sent her pulse racing.
"You said we were friends," Johnny protested.
"I didn't say we were friends." Adam was turning an alarming shade of red. "I said we weren't enemies anymore."
"Adam," Mia called, locking eyes with him. "Why don't you walk it off? This is not fair to Eden. This is clearly her choice and once you've calmed down, I'm sure you'll be able to accept it too. Stop being a dick."
There was some serious eyeballing going on between them, and Mia arched both brows. If there was anyone who could rein Adam in, it was Mia.
Adam glared between them all, his nostrils flaring. "Fine," he snarled, and then he stomped out the door, slamming it behind him.
Johnny cursed under his breath, looking at her guiltily. "You okay, angel?"
I'm not sure. She wrapped her arms around herself. She knew Adam was only worried about her. Ever since the mess with Cane, Adam had been overprotective. At least he was aware of it. Most of the time.
Johnny sighed, bending to kiss her cheek. "I'll handle him."
"I'm not sure that's a good idea right now."
He cupped her face in his hands. "If it's making you unhappy, then McClain will get over it. He'll have to. And I'll be on my best behavior with him." His expression softened. "You always take on the weight of the world, angel. I know this will eat away at you, so I'll deal with it. You shouldn't have to worry about us. McClain and I are fucking adults. We can sort it out. Because we both love you, and neither of us wants to hurt you."
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. Then stepped back and nodded politely toward Mia.
"Long time, Mia. You look well."
