Page 89 of Forbidden Bond

“We were on the road together for the better part of a week. Guys get to know each other when they’re pissing together in the bushes.”

“What do you think of him now? What did you think of him on the road?”

“Guy’s got a lot going on in his life. Grandfather’s dead. Father’s a wrong ‘un. His life’s in the hopper.”

Didn’t help that his relationship with Imogen ended not long ago, and his ex just got with another guy. Not just any guy, her brother’s best friend, which kinda made them keepers from the get-go.

Oh, yeah, and his baby sister was screwing the city’s most dangerous crime boss. She couldn’t forget that one.

Her up wasn’t up. With Conn back, it was getting close. Or it had been until her brother… Lachlan didn’t have any anchor, anything to keep him on course. Where was his up?

“I’m worried about him.”

“Yeah, that’s what you’re supposed to do with family.”

“No, I’m… It’s not just any worry… He’s different, changed, something’s… something is going on with him.”

And she’d been so caught up in her own shit that she hadn’t noticed it happening.

“Guy’s got a lot to process. He hurt you?”

“No!” Offense hit hard and fast, even more than it did when people suggested Conn was violent with her. “Lachlan would never hurt anyone. Not unless it was absolutely necessary.” Like in the line of duty when some fucker had a weapon trained on him. Even then he’d hesitate. “Lachlan is a good man.”

“Good doesn’t have to mean good. You’re friends with me, and your boyfriend’s not exactly…”

“Not exactly what?” Conn asked, startling them both.

Damn the McDades and their stealth. She spun on the chair to see her guy entering.

“We’re talking about Lachlan,” she said as Conn went to the fridge. “I’m worried about him.”

“That’s what you’re supposed to do with family.”

Some of Strat’s concern gave way to a smile. He’d used exactly the same words. “Guy knows what he’s talking about.”

“You two don’t know him, not the way I know him.”

“Could be argued…” Strat started.

Conn closed the fridge, glass of juice in hand. “Finish.”

With her, Strat might refuse. When it was her guy giving the order, Strat had no choice.

“Little sisters don’t always know everything about their older brothers.”

“Imogen and Ford didn’t live together growing up, not full time. You can’t use them as your example.”

“I’m just saying, you don’t know everything about your brother.”

“He’s been my touchstone for as long as I can remember. I never knew mom and my dad…” She exhaled because no one had time for ancient history, both men knew the details already. “He’s never been like this.”

“Like what?” Strat asked.

Conn’s dark, brooding stare enchanted her. “You trust me?”

“You know I do.” She clutched the back of her chair. “I love that you and Lachlan communicate, it means a lot to me. I love you both. The closer you are, the more security I have because you two can watch each other’s asses. I want both of you coming home at the end of every day.”

“So what’s the problem?”

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