I grinned. “Probably because they would’ve bought anything the twins told them to.”
“Probably. Anyway, one of the twins told them that we’d shot the cover ourselves, so they brought them to the club tonight.”
“Why’d they want your autograph?” Knox asked.
Tonio put his hands on his hips, puffed out his chest, and looked off in the distance. “Because I’m the cover model.”
I couldn’t help giggling. “That’s not a romance cover model pose, that’s a superhero pose.”
“Same difference,” Tonio said. “I was going to get you to come over to sign their books too, but then all hell broke loose.”
Wow. I couldn’t even imagine autographing a book I’d written. I wish I’d gotten a chance to do that.
Tonio turned, and I followed his gaze. The twins were walking toward us, Denver in front, his step light and bouncy. Austin trailed behind him.
“Glad you two still know how to put clothes on,” Tonio said. “Did your guest leave?”
“Had a car waiting out back,” Denver said. “Hey, is that your book?” He hurried forward to examine it while Austin hung back.
I handed the book to Denver but walked over to his twin. Austin met my eyes as I approached but didn’t say anything.
“Thank you.” I wrapped my arms around him, pressing my head against his chest. After a long moment, his arms encircled me. He stroked my hair as we clung to each other. He didn’t make any jokes. Didn’t squeeze my ass. He just held me.
The others were probably ready to leave, so I pulled back gently. As he released me, I rose up on my toes. I was going to kiss his cheek, like he’d done to me earlier tonight, but at the last moment, I changed my mind and planted a kiss on his lips.
I reached for his hand and we walked over to the others who were waiting by the door.
23
Emma
Even though it was nearly three in the morning, no one went straight to bed when we got home. As if by unspoken agreement, we all settled in the living room. Knox brought an armful of beers from the kitchen. I passed since I’d had some at the club, but the others all took one, even the twins.
Austin was in one armchair, and we’d left the other one for Knox. It was the biggest one, where he was most comfortable. That left me, Denver, and Tonio on the sofa. I sat in my place in the middle, but after a moment, I leaned to the side and rested my head on Denver’s thigh. I pulled my feet up onto the couch, my knees bent to give Tonio some space. He patted his lap in a wordless invitation, so I stretched my legs out, my feet resting on his thighs.
We were quiet for a while. Denver stroked my hair absently, and Tonio had his hand on my ankle. Occasionally, he’d rub his thumb against my skin in a circular fashion.
After a while, Austin broke the silence. “Are you sure you’re okay, Emma?”
“Yes,” I said as firmly as I could. “That guy was a total creep, but he didn’t hurt me.”
“You should have been there.” Austin’s words were directed at Knox.
“He was breaking up a fight,” I protested.
“He wasn’t breaking it up very quickly.”
Knox’s voice was level. “What are you saying?”
I tried to sit up, but Denver put his hand on my shoulder, silently urging me to stay out of it.
“I’m saying that if it had been two men fighting, you would’ve thrown their asses out the door in record time. Then you would’ve been there when Emma needed you. You were soft on them because they were women.”
“Austin, that’s not fair—” I started, but then Knox’s voice cut over me.
“But it’s true. I don’t go around roughing up women if I can help it. But I’m more sorry than you could ever know that I wasn’t there for you, Emma.”
His blue eyes looked so concerned that my heart ached for him.
“The club wouldn’t do very well if word got out that the bouncer got physical with the female customers,” Tonio said quietly.
“Screw the club,” Austin said.
Wiggling out from underneath Denver’s arm, I sat up. “He was just doing his job. All of you were. Austin was able to see me because I was on his side of the room. If any of the rest of you had seen what happened, you would’ve been there. I know that in my heart—and so do you.”
There was silence for a moment and then Denver said, “We know.” The others nodded.
“It was no one’s fault other than that guy, and he was an asshole.” A wry thought hit, and I let out a rueful laugh. “I’ve been to your club twice, and both times, my night has been affected by a huge jerk.”
Tonio looked at me quizzically, and then his face cleared. “But the first time, the jerk contacted you by text.”