Cole's Mistake (Haven, Texas 8)

“Keira, I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings,” he said stiffly. Apologizing wasn’t something that came easy to him. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d said sorry to anyone.

Maybe you’re more like good old Dad than you think.

He gritted his teeth. Julian watched him warily, and he was suddenly all too aware they were standing in the dark in a bad neighborhood. Christ, if he left his car, would it still be there when he returned.

Be quick. Say what you need to say then leave.

“As you know, sometimes I speak without thinking first.”

“But you always tell the truth, don’t you, Cole?” Julian said with more than a little hint of bitterness.

Fuck. Shit.

“Can we go inside?”

“What? You want to go inside this piece of shit house?” Julian mocked. “Aren’t you scared it will fall on your head? Or that you’ll catch something?”

“Julian, please,” Keira said, snaking an arm around her husband’s waist. Then she moved out from behind him, looking up at Cole. She looked exhausted. Drained.

He ran his hand over his face. “I’m sorry. I really am. Tonight, what happened in the club . . . I didn’t mean to—”

“Humiliate us?” Julian queried. “Interrupt our scene? Make it so we can’t ever go back there?”

No. Well, no to all except the last. He didn’t want them returning to the club, but he’d intended to duke that out with his brother in private. Fuck. How big of an audience had they had tonight? How many people would talk?

“They all sign contracts stating they won’t talk about anything that goes on in the club,” Keira said quietly, able to read him easily. “If anyone says anything, Joel will sue.”

The damage would be done first, though. Hopefully, everyone there tonight was too scared of his brother to say anything.

He didn’t like his chances.

“Can I please come in and talk to you both? I promise I’ll rein in my mouth and my temper.”

Keira nodded but Julian still looked reluctant. Cole understood. Keira didn’t have it in her to hold a grudge. She was too soft-hearted. She needed a protector. Someone to set boundaries for her. He just wasn’t certain Julian always managed that. Not that he couldn’t physically protect her. But he’d seen her get her way with Julian when she wouldn’t manage that with. . . him?

He swallowed heavily. Having them both was just a dream. Unrealistic. Unattainable.

“Julian, let’s go in,” Keira told him. “You know he won’t give up, and I’d really like to sit down.” She swayed as she spoke, and Cole leapt for her, but Julian had her in his arms before h

e could even get close, cradling her against his chest.

“Keira!” Cole said urgently.

“Keira, baby, you okay?” Julian raised his gaze from Keira to him.

In that instant, Cole knew a temporary truce had been formed over their concern for Keira.

“I’m okay,” she told him, but her voice sounded funny. Faint. As though even talking was too much effort.

Alarmed, Cole reached out and took her hand in his. “She’s cold.” He placed a finger over the pulse point in her wrist. “Pulse is a little fast. I think we should get her inside.”

“Guys, I’m fine. It was just a bit of a dizzy spell. Nothing to get worried about.”

“That’s your second one tonight,” Julian said to her in a gruff voice. “I think that’s plenty to worry about. Especially since you’re as pale as a ghost and weak.”

“Her second dizzy spell?” Cole asked. Why the hell wasn’t she at urgent care right now? “When was her first one?”

“It was nothing.” Keira waved her hand in dismissal. “I just got up from the floor too quickly and felt a bit light-headed.”