Page 54 of Wyoming Bodyguard
“Nah. I took enough of your money last night,” she said. “Your brother and I had a question for your dad.”
All hints of humor fled from Dax’s face, replaced by irritation. “What are you bothering him with now?”
Madden worked his tight jaw back and forth. “None of your business.”
“Of course.” Dax snorted out a humorless laugh. “Nothing between you two is ever my business. If that’s the way you want to keep things, maybe you should be the one living here, keeping an eye on things instead of staying in that apartment, pretending to work when you’re clearly just getting your kicks in with people paying for your help.”
“You son of a bitch,” Madden said, storming across the kitchen.
Lily jumped in front of him, placing her palms on his chest to keep him from knocking off his brother’s head. “Madden. Stop. Dax is teasing.”
Madden’s glare melted a fraction. The red drained from his face. “No, he’s not, but he should thank you for saving his pathetic life right now.”
“Sure, whatever. Thanks, Lil.” Sarcasm dripped from every word.
A low growl hummed from Madden’s chest, vibrating Lily’s hand.
“I’m going to get myself ready for bed. Can I trust you two boys alone or do I need to stay here and play referee like when we were kids?” She glanced between the two men for any signs that the tension between them had dissolved.
A hint of a smile touched Dax’s mouth. “At least back then you were on my side.”
A glimpse of the boy he used to be warmed her. “I’m still on your side, Dax. Even if you don’t see it.” She set her sights on Madden and lowered her voice. “Talk to him. He deserves to know the truth.”
She kissed Madden’s cheek then went in search of the guest room, hoping to find a large bath she could fill with hot water and sink into, soaking until her feet turned to prunes and her problems floated away with the steam.
* * *
Madden waited until the padding of Lily’s footsteps faded and he was sure she’d found her way to the guest room before he turned all his fury on Dax. “What the hell is your problem?”
“You’re my problem, big brother. Have been for a while.” Dax strolled past him to the fridge and pulled out a beer. “Want one?”
He wanted a lot more than a beer but accepted the offer anyway. Twisting off the cap, he took a long sip and waited for the alcohol to hit his blood stream and calm him before addressing his brother again. As much as he hated to admit it, Lily was right. Dax deserved to know the truth, and it was past time to tell him why they’d sold their land.
“Want to sit on the porch for a few?” he asked, tilting his head toward the front door. He understood that now was the time to tell Dax everything, but their father might have a different idea. Walter’s hearing wasn’t what it once was, but the old man had a way of tuning in at the worst times. Better to have this conversation without the threat of being overhead.
Shaking his head, Dax rolled his eyes. “Whatever, man.”
Madden counted to ten as he led the way outside and sat in the familiar rocking chair. He needed to keep a calm head to have this conversation.
Dax sat beside him. “You and Lily, huh? Do you want to sleep with her or not?”
“I’ll repeat, that’s none of your damn business.”
Dax chuckled. “Well, you’re an idiot if you don’t. No matter if her dad hates you. Hell, you couldn’t throw a stone around here without finding some girl’s daddy who didn’t want you around. Might as well go toe-to-toe with Tremont.”
“I didn’t bring you out here to discuss Lily.”
“Didn’t think so, but you aren’t spitting out what you wanted. Figured I’d talk about something rather than just sit here, drinking a beer and pretending everything’s all right between us.”
Well, that was as good an opening as any. Madden took another drink then hugged the bottle between his hands. “And why do you think things aren’t good between us?”
Dax turned to stare at him. “You’re joking, right?”
“No jokes, man. I want to be done with this nonsense.”
“Seriously?”
Madden nodded.
