Page 41 of Their Virgins Secret

“They drove a rough bargain,” Kade explained. “We not only had to pay for their travel and expenses, but for these women to see a counselor and for their drug rehabilitation. ”

“I would pay millions more for it to have never happened. ” Rafe regarded her somberly. “I have never told Cole or Burke this, but we do not consider our debt paid. This is something we would have done regardless. One day, we shall repay them. You say you do not know these men, but when asked that question, you knew immediately that they wouldn’t do what was easy. Search your heart. Perhaps it is yourself that you do not know. ”

The door opened, and Burke walked in, rubbing his hands together. His face paled when he looked at Jessa. “Sweetheart? Why are you crying?”

“We’ll leave you alone now,” Rafe said, gesturing for his brother to leave.

Kade followed him. “I wish you well, my friend. In all things. Bring your family to the palace when this is over—or sooner. You are always welcome in our country. ”

They left, slapping Cole on the shoulder as he walked in, his face blank.

“The car’s ready, but I’d rather lay low until it’s dark. If they’ve got a visual on us, it will be much harder to follow us once the sun is down. It’s about six hours from Dallas to Lafayette and another hour to the swamp. I’ve made all the arrangements. ” Cole spoke, but there was no inflection in his tone. He could have been talking about the weather.

It was so easy for Cole to shut down. He seemed to be a pro at it. But what would happen if she broke the barrier down and got to the real man? Something angry took root in her gut. Something wicked and restless was making her heart twitch.

“Jessa, sweetheart, tell me why you’re crying. ” Burke gripped her hand, his eyes seeking hers.

Cole crowded in on the other side, looking ready to make demands. Her body leapt. For whatever reason, she’d always be attuned to them. She felt their fear for her, their fury with Delgado. Their need to keep her safe. And to hold her.

God, she wanted the comfort they silently offered. That connection she felt to them reached out in a silent scream with almost painful yearning. She ached for just one hour of nothing but their reassurance, their touch. She wanted to break past Cole’s defenses.

But she couldn’t accept their tenderness. And couldn’t admit that she wanted them, would probably never want another man. They’d construe either as surrender, and she’d have to work twice as hard to convince them to let her out of their lives. If she accepted tender kisses and soft words, cutting them out of her heart again might be impossible.

But she wanted them again, one last time. She pulled her hand away from Burke’s and glanced at the clock. It was hours before dark. Hours before they would flee. She smiled to herself. She wanted Burke and Cole now. On her terms. And she knew exactly how to persuade them to give it to her.

* * * *

Eight months earlier, April 5 – Dallas, Texas

Cole stared at Hilary. No way he’d heard her right. He didn’t like the woman, but she was smart and ran the office well. Still, she had her blonde moments. She had to be wrong about this.

“No. ” Burke shook off Hilary’s touch. “I don’t understand. ”

She put a hand on his brother’s shoulder, her eyes going soft with sympathy. When she looked like she was about to repeat herself, he felt his own go cold and dead. Exactly like his heart.

“That woman you’re having Mr. Landry follow, she got married,” she murmured.

The words still didn’t seem to compute to Burke, but Cole heard them. Loud and clear. They echoed in his ears. Married. To another man. Their Jessa. No, not their Jessa anymore. Less than four months after they had left her with kisses and vows to return, she not only started dating another man, she’d married him, tied her life to him. Given him her eternal love.

“I am so sorry, Burke,” Hilary said, taking a step back. She looked to Cole, her eyes sliding away silently.

She always addressed Burke, the gentleman. Cole couldn’t remember a time Hilary had looked him in the eyes, as though she was afraid of what she would find there. No surprise. She viewed him as a violent barbarian.

Hilary placed a manila folder on the desk in front of him. “I don’t know what it is about this woman that has you all tied up in knots, but according to this report, she’s happily married, so if she’s one of your little projects, you don’t have to worry anymore. ”

Burke grabbed the report before Cole could. He wasn’t sure he wanted to see it anyway. If there were pictures of the happy couple, the image would probably sear itself into his brain. Already, he could picture too vividly Jessa with someone else, speaking words of devotion. Making love, giving her body to him night after night. Her gifting him with all of her luminous smiles and her warm laughter.

Cole turned away. He didn’t want to see the fucking report. He wanted to see Jessa. He could be on a plane and in New York in just a couple of hours. He could stand in front of her and ask her if they’d ever meant a damn thing to her. He and Burke had loved her. Neither one had even thought of touching another woman since they’d left Jessa. She’d apparently done a hell of a lot more than think about it. Fuck.

Burke slammed the folder down.

“I really am sorry, Burke,” Hilary said. “I didn’t want to send that file to you. But I had to be honest. Who is she?”

Burke shook his head, his gaze hardening. “Apparently, no one special. ”

No one special. Just a woman he would love for the rest of his life. His heart ached. Though it made him furious, the voice in his head asked: Did you really expect her to wait for you? No one gives a shit about you, least of all a gorgeous, talented creature like her. Stupid bastard.

Wincing, he looked at his brother. Burke’s face had shut down.

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