Page 38 of Tribute
“No, pussy-whipped. You and Lee got something going on?”
“No.”
“Yeah right. I saw you holding her hand, Akran.”
“I’m just doing my job. She’s still vulnerable, and keep your fucking voice down. She doesn’t need to hear all this.”
Kai glanced down at Anna’s sleeping face. “She’s out for the count. She won’t hear a thing. Why did you tell her that we went in twice, then?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“You never tell anyone. Hell, we’ve never even discussed it ourselves.”
“I was trying to help her feel better about what she’d been through.”
Kai looked unconvinced. “So are you fucking her?”
Rehz glared at him. “That is none of your goddamn business.”
“So you are. Good for you.”
“If it were true, what would be good about it? It’s not like any of us are capable of maintaining a real-life relationship, is it?”
“Speak for yourself.” Kai kissed Anna Lee’s hair again, and Rehz’s hand curled into a fist. “If I had a chance with Lee? I’d take it. She’s probably the only female on this planet who’d understand what I’d been through.” His green eyes met Rehz’s. “Don’t be a fucking idiot, Rehz. You’re free of the service for the first time in your life, and you have the chance to be with Lee? Go for it, my man. Don’t let anything stand in your way.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“Yeah, it is. And if you don’t see that soon, I’m going to show you how it’s done.” He leaned forward and deposited Anna in Rehz’s lap. “Now how about you hold her before you lose it and punch me in the face, MisterI don’t care about Lee?”
Rehz adjusted Anna’s sleeping form until she was close to his heart, and bent his head to inhale her scent. Was it possible that she wanted more from him? Was he even capable of giving her more? There was only one way to find out.
That would have to wait until Kai went home and Lee woke up.
And he got over the fact that he was fucking terrified.
Rehz carried Anna out of the vehicle and right up to his apartment. She only stirred as he laid her down on her bed. He crouched down next to her and smoothed her long, fair hair out of her face.
“Lee? I need to go talk to Kai.”
“Go ahead,” she mumbled. “I think I’ll sleep a bit more.”
“If you wake up later and need me, I’ll probably be in bed.” He hesitated. “The thing is, Kai might be there too.”
“In your bed?” She opened her eyes to stare sleepily at him.
“Yeah, he’s . . . stressed about losing Solly like that.”
“So you’re going to do what? Comfort him?”
“If that’s what he needs.”
“And what happens if I turn up?”
“That’s up to you.” He patted her cheek. “I’m glad it went well today, Lee.”
He walked out, leaving her to either sleep or make her own mind up as to what he was doing and why. Leaving Kai alone just wasn’t going to happen. They’d been through too much together.
By the time he reached the kitchen, Kai was already rummaging in the fridge, getting stuff out to make a salad. He had opened two bottles ofkvas.
