Cole's Mistake (Haven, Texas 8)

“Yes.” He moved his gaze between them. “And I’m not going anywhere.”

They were silent for a long moment then Keira turned her gaze to Julian. They seemed to have a silent conversation.

“What do you both want from me tonight?”

Keira cleared her throat. “Stay.”

Julian just nodded. Then he buried his head in Keira’s neck once more.

All right then. He breathed out a sigh of relief. It was a huge step, and he wasn’t going to do anything to fuck it up. He wasn’t going to make him verbally agree. Right now, he got that was all Julian could give. It was enough.

Christ, it was more than enough. It was everything.

Julian didn’t know if this was a good idea. Letting Cole close. Allowing him back in. If he hurt them again . . .

But this time, Julian knew not to let him into his heart. Then he wouldn’t shatter it.

What about Keira?

He could guard his own feelings, but his Keira tended to forgive too easily, and he didn’t want her hurt.

Tell him to go. Send him away. Keira will understand.

He moved his face from Keira’s neck to do just that. They were in the kitchen. He sat on a stool at the counter with Keira still wrapped around him like a security blanket. He glanced over at Cole, and the words dried on his tongue.

He’s here. In your kitchen. Making your wife food. He gave up his company.

He’d stuck around these past two weeks when Julian had given him nothing but a black eye. It didn’t have to mean anything. And yet . . . it kind of did.

And then there was what he’d done for them tonight. Somehow, Julian still trusted him enough to let him close. To let him help. He knew Cole wouldn’t never hurt them physically. He wasn’t Vincento.

Was it fair to stay so angry at him? And was he actually angry at Cole or was he using him as a target for all the anger he had inside him?

Maybe.

He settled his face back into Keira’s neck and listened to the two of them speak to each other.

He’d lost it tonight. Had gone into a dark place. That couldn’t happen. What if he’d hurt someone? Hurt Keira?

No, he wouldn’t do that. But she could have been harmed when she attacked that Dom. His judgment was off. He’d been the one to push them to go to the club tonight. Who’d thought they were magically good enough to cope with that.

Yeah, his judgment was fucked. He needed help.

“Okay, food is ready,” Cole said in a cheerful voice that was unlike the other man.

Cheerful wasn’t a word he’d ever use to describe him. Intense. Careful. Calculated.

But cheerful? No.

“Julian, can you let go of Keira so she can eat?” Cole asked.

No.

He shuddered. Wrong answer. See? His judgment was messed up.

“It’s okay, I’m not hungry.”

As usual, Keira was putting his needs above her own. Not fair. And unnecessary.