Page 56 of Their Reluctant Catch

Realization slams into me like a zap from a spark plug. “And the dumb fuck assumed I was leaving.”

Todd shrugs, but there’s no humor in it. “I can’t blame him. I was worried for a moment myself. Most women don’t stick around in Northwick Cove.”

Heat licks at my skin, anger mixing with something deeper. “I’mnotmost women.”

“I know that.” His voice is gentle and steals most of heat from my anger. “And deep down, Colton does, too. He just has…”

“…had a shitty experience with his bitch of an ex.”

Todd’s eyebrows shoot up, and surprise flashes across his face.

“How do you know about Annalise?”

“Grady mentioned her.” I wave a hand. “Didn’t say much—just enough for me to figure out she’s the ex who did a number on your brother. Anyway, I don’t even know her, but she’s awful. I’m sure.”

The corner of his mouth twitches. Then, unexpectedly, he laughs. “Yeah. She is. I never liked her.”

“Smart man.”

We stand there for a beat, the tension shifting, morphing into something else.

“What do we do now?” I ask.

Todd tosses the flowers on the bed, steps closer with his hand outstretched. I don’t hesitate. I slip mine into his, and his fingers tighten around mine.

“We go after him.”

I nod. My pulse is steady and sure. I firm my mouth.

I’m mad at Colton. I want to hit him and kiss him in equal measure. And I probably will.

But more than anything—more than my frustration, more than my own tangled-up feelings—I know one thing with absolute certainty.

I love the grumpy, taciturn bastard.

And his brother.

They are my light and dark, my fire and steel.

And I need them both.

Chapter22

Todd

I love my brother. I do.

But right now, he doesn’t deserve Savannah—who, despite everything, is loving and understanding.

He ran.

Like a goddamn coward.

And yeah, I get it. I know his history. Know how it chewed him up and spat him out, how it turned him into the gruff, guarded bastard he is today.

But for fuck’s sake, he’s supposed to be a Dom. A Master, who should master himself before he tries to dominate someone else. Bolting at the first sign of a perceived threat? That’s not mastery. That’s fear.

He needs help.

---