Chapter 12

Twelve

Clara

A fter tossing and turning most of the night, I finally gave up on sleep and got out of bed as the sun kissed the sky. I poked my head into the other bedroom to find both of my guys sleeping.

I'd be lying if I didn't say I took my time watching them while they slept. There wasn't anything peaceful about it. Eeli tossed and turned, his brows drawn together, his jaw tight.

I curbed the desire to soothe him with my touch. As much as I wanted to be the one to do that, my fear was I'd have the opposite effect and provoke a more violent reaction. And while I wasn't that concerned for my safety, stupid as that might be, I worried what it would do to Eeli if he hurt me, even accidentally, in his sleep.

Dyson rested a little more peacefully at first glance. But as I watched, it became apparent that even in sleep he was on high alert. He appeared to be completely relaxed until Eeli shifted even the slightest bit. Then his body stiffened and fists tightened on the comforter that had been pushed down around his waist. He'd relax back into his pillows after a few minutes, but the instant Eeli stirred, it started again.

I sighed and wandered over to the closet, grabbing a plaid flannel shirt from a hanger and pulling it over my T-shirt and panties. I paused another second before heading back out to get the coffee started.

Life might not be all sunshine and roses right this instant, but that didn't mean I wouldn't take my opportunities for happiness where I could. And boy did I get topped off on happiness staring at the broad, bare chests resting in the bed in front of me.

That vision was enough to put a little spring in my step as I went in search of the coffee pot.

I drank a cup of coffee and waited to hear my guys stirring. As soon as the shower turned on, I hopped up and started breakfast. I decided this day called for a hearty breakfast and lots of comfort food.

Eeli wandered in while I flipped the first batch of pancakes. He walked up behind me and slid an arm around my waist, kissing my neck.

I giggled at the feel of his lips and whiskers in such a sensitive spot. "Morning. Hope you're hungry."

"Starved." He planted another kiss, this one directly under my ear, his hands sliding to my hips. I turned slightly to see he'd put on a pair of sweats that hung low on his hips. He looked just-out-of-bed rumpled and his chest was bare. I swallowed. Hard.

Before I could do what I wanted to do—namely turn off the burner under the pancakes and pull Eeli down to the floor to find out exactly what I'd been missing out on all these years—someone knocked on the door.

"I've got it," Dyson called as he stepped out of the bedroom. He looked freshly showered and he was pulling a T-shirt over his head as he moved. My eyes gobbled up the sight of his abs, following the path of his shirt until all his skin was covered.

I blew out a sigh and Eeli laughed. I grinned up at him and turned back to my pancakes.

"Hey, man, sorry to barge in so early but Mac and I wanted to talk to you before work."

I froze solid at the sound of Sawyer's voice. Crap. This wasn't how I planned on sharing my new not-so-single status with my family.

Eeli shifted protectively in front of me as I glanced down at myself, covered from shoulders to thigh by the oversized flannel shirt with no other clothing visible.

Well, shit.

"Oh, sorry, we didn't realize you had company," Sawyer said.

I inhaled deeply and then blew it out. This was going to happen sooner or later. Eeli and Dyson and I were not a fling that would be swept under the rug.

I stepped out from behind Eeli.

Sawyer's gaze hit me. His eyes went wide and a wrinkle appeared between his eyebrows. "Clara? What the holy fuck are you doing here?"

But even as he spoke, his eyes raked over me. His gaze darted from Eeli to Dyson and the pancakes cooking on the stove. He'd have to be pretty stupid not to put two and two together. And my brother was not stupid.

"I ask what the hell is going on here?" Sawyer's voice was a growl and I could see amber seeping into his eyes.

Eeli stepped closer to me, his arm wrapping around my waist and curling me protectively into his body. I placed a hand on his chest, and it didn't escape my notice that my brother's eyes followed every single one of my movements.

"We're together," Eeli said simply. I winced at the way he worded that.

Sawyer's eyes flared and Dyson moved his body, shifting subtly to position himself between Sawyer and Mac and Eeli and me.

My heroes. As serious as the situation was, I had to admit to taking that one tiny moment to relish the way my guys took care of me.

"You're dating? My sister?" Anger and disbelief colored Sawyer's voice. I was surprised the air around him didn't turn red.

"Yes."

The silence hung heavy and I couldn't help but wonder if Dyson and Eeli were having the same thoughts I was—trying to decide the best way to announce it wasn't just Eeli.

"And me." Dyson's voice was quiet and firm.

"The holy fuck… you're shitting me?" Mac spoke up this time and his eyes didn't know who to land on.

It wasn't like him to stay quiet, but I could suddenly see why he did so well in Special Forces. He stood still, a little off to the side of all of us. His gaze took in everything and he looked ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

Lucky for me my third brother, Trent, wasn't on the mountain or he'd be having bricks too.

I returned my gaze to Sawyer to see his confusion clearing. "And you what, Dyson?" he asked, dangerously quiet.

"Clara is my soulmate. I think I knew it before I actually knew it, if that makes any sense."

My heart stuttered and stopped and restarted at twice its usual speed as emotion rushed through me. Joy at Dyson's quiet, simple words mixed with the fear of my brother's reaction, and I was so thankful for Eeli's grip around my waist. It was the only thing holding me up.

Sawyer moved swiftly toward Dyson. A gasp broke from me as my heart jumped into my throat out of fear.

But Eeli's arm tightened around me. He pushed me behind his hard body just as Mac shoved his way between Dyson and Sawyer.

Mac placed a hand on Sawyer's chest. "Calm down, man."

Sawyer's eyes glowed with fiery rage as he bared his teeth, pushing against Mac's restraining hand. His gaze went over Mac's shoulder and landed hard as a punch on Dyson. "You dragged my little sister into your fucked up shit?"

Dyson's gaze shifted to where Eeli and I stood. A bleakness that stole my breath flashed and was gone, hidden behind a blank mask, in an instant. He turned his attention back to my brother.

"It's not that easy. It's not like we decided to do it. It just happened," he said quietly. "You know that better than anyone. Do you think, given a choice, Eeli and I would choose to drag our girl into what's going on with us right now? You don't think we want to offer her more than what we've become?"

Pain and pride warred within me. Dyson didn't say he wouldn't have chosen me. Or even that he wouldn't have chosen to share me with his friend. Only that if he could choose, the timing would be different. Even in the face of my brother's anger, he didn't deny our relationship.

But I hated that he thought he and Eeli weren't enough for me.

"Dyson." My voice was a husky rasp through a throat clogged with tears.

Sawyer's gaze snapped to me. "You want this, Clara? You know something's wrong with them. You told me at the party at Aunt Nola's. Do you think they're even capable of loving you, protecting you at this point?"

He shook his head and moved his eyes to Eeli.

"We've all been tap-dancing around you two since you've been back. We haven't wanted to push you too much because we were afraid you'd be even more messed up if we did the wrong thing."

"Sawyer." Mac's voice was a quiet warning.

"No, Mac. We're not keeping quiet about this anymore. It's bad enough the two of you are so fucked up, do you have to drag my sister into your mess?" His gaze lanced through Dyson. "What happens when you finally manage to get your heads on straight? You going to fight over her? You going to realize she's not really who you want and drop her? You know you're not okay. What makes you think you can take care of her like she deserves?"

Dyson went back a small step as if he just took a blow. I couldn't take this another minute. I couldn't stand here and watch my brother inflict pain on men who have done nothing but show me love and desire.

Eeli tried to snatch my hand as I moved past him, but I twisted out of his grip and lunged at Dyson. He caught me to his side, pulling me into his body in a gesture so smooth, it felt like we'd been holding each other like this for always.

I rubbed a hand over the center of Dyson's chest, but a growl tore my attention away from him. I narrowed my eyes on Sawyer. "Enough. You have no idea what you're talking about. What about you and Trinity. The times you weren't there for her. Did she hold that against you, Mr. High and Mighty?"

Sawyer's eyes softened slightly. "I do know, Clara. I also know that we need to do what's best for those we love. I knew for a long time Trinity was meant to be with me and vice versa. But I knew she wasn't ready to handle someone so much older so I left until she was old enough to understand what was happening between us. Until she could decide for herself."

I could feel my temper dying down at Sawyer's words. He just wanted the best for me. If only he'd stopped there, but my hackles went right back up when he started talking again.

"Dyson and Eeli are in no shape to care for you. They should have done the right thing and left you alone until they got things figured out between them."

"Did you ever stop to think if you hadn't left Trinity alone so long, her life wouldn't have been so hard? If you'd stuck around until she was of age, you could have had years longer together and you could have helped her through everything she went through?"

Raw pain flashed in Sawyer's eyes, making me immediately regret my words. I knew my brother had struggled to do the right thing where his fiancée was concerned. Had he known what she went through, he'd have moved heaven and earth to get to her.

And right now, he wasn't saying all these things to hurt us. He did it out of concern for me. I opened my mouth to…I don't know. Apologize? Explain?

But he held up a hand. Without another word, he turned on his heel and walked out the door.

"Sawyer," I called, my voice trembling as a sob crawled its way up my throat. I started to run after him, but Dyson's arm pulled me tighter to him.

I turned my face up to Dyson's. "I hurt him."

He ran his knuckles over my cheek. "He'll be okay, sweetheart. He could never stay mad at you."

I swallowed back my tears and focused on the warmth and concern in Dyson's eyes. After a few moments, I took in a deep shuddering breath and nodded. I offered him a trembling smile. "This wasn't exactly how I thought we'd break the news to everyone."

"I don't know. I totally enjoyed the way you broke your news."

Mac's words reminded us we weren't alone. I dropped my forehead to Dyson's chest for a brief second before turning my attention to Mac. My eyes narrowed on him. "You don't have any warnings or nasty comments you want to make about Eeli, Dyson, and I?"

As I spoke, Eeli moved closer to us. His arm looped around my waist protectively. I looked up at him and saw he was shooting warnings at Mac with just a look.

Mac held his hands up, palms out, and chuckled. "If you guys are meant to be, that's clear." He sobered and his gaze traveled over the three of us before it landed back on my face, giving me a searching look. "You're sure this is what you want?"

"Yes," I said, instantly. I had my men by my side. I had no doubts I'd found my forever.

Mac smiled. "Good enough for me. Do I smell pancakes?"

I rolled my eyes, but after giving each of my guys a quick snuggle, I moved back to the stove. As I went back to flipping pancakes, I prayed breaking things to Sawyer would be the worst we had to face.