Breathless (Steel Brothers Saga 10)

The clock was nearing nine p.m. when the doorbell rang.

My heart leaped. Bryce had returned! Not that he’d be here to see me, but I couldn’t help the way my body responded. My sisters-in-law were still in the family room. I was nearest the door, so I walked through the foyer and opened it without looking in the peephole.

I smiled brightly, and—

Then frowned.

Bryce Simpson did not stand in the doorway.

Colin Morse did.

Colin Morse had come to my home…while all of my brothers were here. Not a good combination.

“Hey, Marj,” he said.

“What are you doing here, Colin?”

“After you canceled on me today, I got worried. Is Jade all right?”

“She’s fine.”

“You didn’t give me much of an explanation.”

“I told you something came up and we couldn’t make it. I didn’t owe you anything else.”

“May I come in?”

“I don’t think that’s a good—”

“Who is it, Sis?”

I turned at Talon’s voice. This was, after all, his home too.

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could—

“What do you want, Morse?” Talon asked, not overly nicely.

Colin cowered slightly. He tried to hide it, but his discomfort in Talon’s presence was apparent. Talon had pummeled him once, and since then, Colin had been through torture and rape at the hands of Bryce’s father.

“Tal…” I pleaded with my gaze. Talon, of all people, knew what had befallen Colin.

“I just want to make sure Jade is okay,” Colin said, not meeting Talon’s gaze.

“It’s late.”

“I know, but she and I were supposed to talk today. I was worried.”

“She’s fine, as I’m sure my sister told you. She’ll reschedule your meeting.”

“Come in, Colin,” Jade said from behind me. “We can talk now.”

Talon’s facial muscles tensed. “It’s late, blue eyes.”

“I know, but I’m feeling okay for once, and I’d like to get the talk with Colin over with, honestly.”

Colin stepped inside tentatively.

“Fine,” Talon said. “I’ll be joining you.”