Ignite (Unbreakable Bonds 7)

JB stared at him for several long moments. “It’s not like those kinds of feelings just disappear. But what I feel for him now is more…nostalgic. Yes, there is regret I couldn’t make him care for me in the same way, and there probably always will be, but even then I knew I didn’t have all of him. He talked about you all the time, and it was in his voice.” He shrugged. “I came to terms with it.”

Rowe thought of how much he loved Noah and tried to imagine if those feelings weren’t returned. The pain this caused him made him catch his breath. He realized he had respect for JB. He didn’t think he could just stand back if he were in his shoes. No, he knew he couldn’t. Noah was everything to him, and he was selfish enough to want to keep that. To fight for him. He suddenly felt sorry for JB, though he was sure the man would hate knowing that.

“You guys have something really nice here. Together and with all those people you’ve introduced me to.” JB pointed toward the door. “It’s a great family and I’m happy for Noah, because he needed something like this. I can tell all those men care for him.”

“They do.” He leaned against his desk, deciding to let the love talk go. There was no reason to grill the man anymore. He knew where he stood. “How about a tour? An easy one in deference to your leg? I won’t even take you down to the basement to show off my toys. Those stairs are a pain in the ass. But I’d like you to meet some of our employees. Who knows? Maybe you’ll change your mind.”

“I won’t do that. My heart is set on the ranch. But I’d like to meet more of Noah’s friends.”

He led him out to the landing overlooking the first floor. “It’s not usually this quiet. Normally, we have self-defense classes running but we’re shorthanded right now, so we’ve postponed them.” He walked him down the hall toward the triplets’ room and introduced him to Quinn, Gidget, and Cole. Quinn’s boyfriend, Shane, was also there and they were all laughing as Noah regaled them with the story of blowing up that building.

“Only you, Rowe,” Quinn said, his lips twisted in a half smile. He was in his normal silly T-shirt and jeans. Shane stood next to him, with his hand on his lower back.

“Hey, I had help!”

“Yeah, you need help and I’m talking a completely different kind of help.” Quinn’s grin broke through. “But that had to be fun.”

“It was,” Noah agreed. “All except for JB getting shot.”

“I’m okay,” JB said, leaning against the doorjamb. “But I could do with this not happening again.”

“You want out on the plans, then?” Noah asked.

“Hell, no. I just don’t plan to get shot again.”

“Come on, I’ll show you around downstairs.” Rowe turned and headed for the stairs, taking them slowly so JB could keep up. They reached the first floor where he had exercise mats and different kinds of training equipment. It resembled a gym, but his cleaning crew had obviously been working, because it didn’t smell like one. “Like I said, we normally have classes going on in here. Classes or training exercises. We have people skilled in different fighting styles, including mixed martial arts and kickboxing. We have a shooting range for target practice downstairs, but I won’t make you take any more stairs.”

“This is impressive.”

“Thanks. I didn’t plan for it to grow quite as much as it has, but I’m proud of what we’ve built here. And it’s a group effort. I hire only the best.”

Royce, one of his shorter bodyguards, walked into the room and Rowe grinned at him. The man might not be as big as some of the other men here, but he was lethal. He had a sort of raw, restrained presence that put people on edge. Made them watch him. “Just the man I wanted to see.”

“Uh, oh, what did I do now?”

Rowe walked to him and threw an arm over his shoulder. “I’m going to need to borrow your house.”

“I’m assuming you mean the empty one in Morning View and not the one I share with Marc.”

“Of course!” Rowe said, sounding offended.

“Hey, I’m just checking. I heard you’ve already blown up a building this week.”

“Wow! Word really travels fast here,” JB breathed in surprise.

Rowe glowered at JB for a moment. “You have no idea.” He then turned his attention to Royce. “Yes, the Morning View house, and no, I’m not going to blow it up.”

“Sure thing. Wish I could be involved but I’m just here to get my next assignment. Got a gig watching some celebrity chef coming into town. He’s had some threatening letters. Someone must have gotten food poisoning.”