Cole's Mistake (Haven, Texas 8)

“Julian, bend down so kitten can see you,” he ordered in a quiet voice, being careful not to make the tone harsh.

Julian startled then crouched down. “Kitten?”

She reached out a shaking hand, cupping the side of Julian’s face. He moved onto his knees, his eyes drifting half-closed. “H-he hurt you?”

“No, kitten. I’m fine. Nobody hurt me.”

“P-promise?”

“I promise.”

“You can see Julian is unharmed, kitten. So now I need you to calm down. No, just sit still, you’re not getting up yet. Keira,” he said in a low, warning voice as she tried to push against him. “Look at me. See who has you.”

She froze. Stared up at him. Then she blinked. “C-Cole?”

“That’s right.” Relief swirled in his gut. To his shock, Julian moved closer to him right as Keira threw her arms around him. She sobbed, shaking against him.

“Easy, little bit. It’s all right. Julian’s right here. Nothing bad has happened.”

“It’s all bad. It’s all wrong. Nothing will ever be right again.”

“Oh, baby. It will.”

Julian draped himself over them. So that he was half pressed against Cole and half against Keira. Her breathing slowed down, becoming more even but he could feel the splash of tears against his neck. He ran his hand up and down her back, soothing her as best he could even as his insides shook.

He moved his other arm, wrapping it as much as he could around Julian’s back, giving them both as much comfort as he could. It took him a moment to realize Julian was shaking almost as much as Keira. Tears stung his eyes at the big man’s show of vulnerability. That the two of them could let him see this, could let him comfort them . . . gave him hope.

He knew he shouldn’t let himself feel that way. They weren’t exactly in their right minds, and it could all unravel in a few hours. But, right then, they needed him. And it filled something inside him that had gone empty for too long.

This was right. This was what he was meant to be. The anchor for the two of them in the storm. If they needed someone to deal with everything else, all the mundane life stuff so they could heal and breathe a little easier, then he was more than ready to do that for them.

He kissed the top of Keira’s head. Her tears had dropped off and, other than a few shudders running through her body, she seemed to be doing better. Uncertain what his reaction would be, Cole leaned slightly forward and brushed his lips across Julian’s forehead in a light caress.

The bigger man took in a deep breath then let it out in a shudder. Then Julian sat back and looked around the empty room. “Well. What do we do now?”

18

She was so embarrassed.

Keira couldn’t believe what she’d done. She’d completely wigged out. In the middle of the club. And she’d attacked a Dom.

She was never showing her face at Saxon’s again. In fact, she was never leaving the house again. Maybe not even her bedroom. Fuck. She leaned against the bathroom wall then slid down to the floor, landing with a thump. She drew her legs up to her chest. She buried her face in her knees.

How could she ever look at anyone again? Saxon had to be furious. Everyone probably thought she was a complete basket case. And Cole . . .

She let out a low moan.

A knock sounded at the door and her stomach threatened to empty its contents.

Please be Julian. Please be Julian.

She couldn’t deal with Cole right then.

“Keira? Keira, are you okay?”

Drat. Her luck really wasn’t holding out tonight.

Answer him.