Page 10 of Bulletproof Love

“We got one part at least—the breadcrumb that led us here. Now if I could just crack the rest of this mess and figure out where in this city to look.” Leon taps away at his keyboard, head slumped. We all look exhausted, except Blake. She’s goddamn glowing.

Damon makes his way over from their bedroom, freshly showered and dressed in black. I bet he used all the hot water… That would be so Damon.

“You two look adorable,” I say. “Like the perfect emo couple. And so well rested, almost like you weren’t up all night screwing each other’s brains out.”

Damn, I’m grumpy. I wish I could blame it all on lack of sleep.

Blake’s cheeks flush pink as Damon puts his hand on her lower back. “I’m going to take your compliment and leave the rest for another time. Did you eat? You sound hangry.”

“Not yet.” I huff. “You can’t just shove food at me whenever I’m pissy.”

“I’ll order something,” Falin says, swapping her laptop for her phone. She looks at Leon, adding. “Thai?”

“That works,” he answers.

Am I fucking invisible?

“What if I want something else? Like Mexican or Italian,” I snap, crossing my arms.

“Oh, this place has five stars. The best Pad Thai in the neighborhood,” Falin says, ignoring me.

“We’re going to head out,” Blake says carefully. “See you guys later.”

“Call if anything comes up,” Damon adds. They’re out the door before any of us get the chance to say goodbye.

“I’m gonna go check on the kittens,” I grumble.

Leon finally notices that I’m in the room. “Did you mention them to Blake and Damon?”

I stop halfway to Falin’s door and turn. “Not yet. They weren’t exactlyavailablethis morning.”

He stretches his arms above his head, settling them far too close to Falin’s shoulder for my liking. “I’ll look up the nearest shelter. We can take them in after we eat.”

All at once, emotion floods my system. With my teeth clenched, I grit out a simple, “No.”

Falin cocks her head, eyeing me closely. “Jasper, you know we can’t give them a good life.”

“She’s right. You can’t possibly want to keep them.” Leon adds.

“Try and take them,” I say. “You won’t like what happens.”

Maybe I’m being a dick, but I’m tired of having no say in what goes on around here. I haven’t been of much help since before the accident and I need something, anything to keep me going.

They exchange glances. “Alright… Well, maybe you should go pick up some stuff for them. A litter box, real food bowls.”

“We’ll see what Damon thinks,” Leon says, keeping his voice level. I’m not stupid. What he’s really saying is, ‘I don’t want to be the bad guy, so I’ll let Damon take one for the team’.

“They stay,” I repeat. “We don’t just give up on the people—animals—we love.”

Falin stands, eyeing me like I’m a flight risk. “How about we go get them some supplies? I’ll come with you.”

I can read her expression. She doesn’t actually want to come with me. She wants to make sure I’m not going to score again. Well, I don’t need a babysitter. Especially one who looks at me with pity eyes.

“Stay here, eat your Pad Thai or whatever it is you ordered. I’ll be back later.”

“Brother—” Leon starts. I put my hand up.

“It’s fine. I’m a grown ass man. I don’t need your food and I don’t need a babysitter.”

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