34. Laurie

Itook Worth's hand. I was trembling all over, but it was with excitement now, not fear. When he'd knelt before me and I'd seen fear in his eyes at the idea of losing me, I'd known I was crazy for ever thinking I might run. I was going to go for this. I was going to ride this out for as long as it lasted and pray that was forever. I loved this man. I had been given a gift after my time in hell, and I wasn't going to throw it away.

"What did you say when you came up here after me?"

Worth glanced my way. "I told Beck everything was going to be fine."

"Between us? Did he guess?"

"I may have freaked out a little bit when I realized you weren't with me anymore. I think I made it pretty obvious."

I squeezed his hand. "It's okay. I'll tell him I trust you."

"I think ultimately we're going to have to prove it to him by making this work."

"Then that's what we'll do."

All I could do was take it day by day and continue to do that, continue to prove to myself that this could be real, because I'd never imagined loving anybody the way the way I loved Worth.

"Are you okay? Had you ever shot anyone before?"

Worth shook his head. "I'm okay. I hadn't ever shot anyone before, but I did it to save my friend. The man would have killed Matteo or any of the rest of us, including Beck. I didn't have a choice."

"Promise you'll talk to me about it if you need to."

"I promise."

We headed down the stairs. The hallway leading to the living room seemed to stretch forever. I could hear Beck talking with the others.

I was sure there were still guards in case anyone else tried to come after us, but Worth seemed certain everyone at the site had been taken out. I was glad I hadn't gone. I didn't know how I would ever stop seeing the image of the bodies they'd left behind if I had.

When we walked into the room, all conversation stopped, and everyone turned to look at us. Miles stood up, taking Ben's hand and pulling him up as well. "I think it's time we all headed out. We know Beck's in good hands, and I think Worth, Laurie, and Beck could use some time to talk without an audience."

"Thank you all of you for saving me and for taking care of Worth and Laurence. I don't even know what else to say. You saved my life."

"We're also responsible for you being in danger to start with," Miles said. "But no matter what, we'll always be here for anyone Worth cares about." He looked right at me then, and I gave a small nod of acknowledgment. I really had these men in my corner now. I'd refused to believe it when Miles told me I was one of them, but now that didn't seem so far-fetched.

I stood awkwardly beside Beck as Worth saw his friends out and spoke to the guard posted in the hallway.

"Is the guard staying there?" I asked when Worth stepped back inside.

"Yes. Carter and Matteo need to check with their connections to see if things have been thoroughly handled in Columbia before we can fully rest easy."

"How did you get involved with all of this?" Beck asked.

Worth sighed as he sat on the sofa. "It's a long story."

"You could've given me a heads up, you know?" Beck sat on the end that stretched into a chaise so his feet could be propped up.

"I would have if I'd thought we were going to run into trouble again. Carter warned me he'd seen someone, but you were in Chicago, and I didn't think that I needed to tell you. I never thought they would come after you."

"What if they'd come after Laurence? What if they'd come after you? What if they'd taken you out, and I never knew what happened to you?"

"Once we realized there was a serious threat, I brought Laurie back here."

Beck looked between the two of us. "We have a lot to talk about."

Worth nodded. "We do. Come here, Laurie." He held out his hand, encouraging me to sit in between him and Beck.

Beck didn't have all of his color back, but he already looked much better than he had when he'd come in.

"How is your ankle?" I asked.

"It doesn't really hurt unless I put weight on it. I really am going to be fine."

"I didn't listen to you." I blurted out the words.

He nodded. "I got that impression."

I was not doing this right. I looked at Worth and he smiled at me. Somehow, I could do this. Worth was there supporting me, but I needed to make this confession myself.

"I've had a thing for Worth ever since he came to visit you in St. Louis."

Beck eyes went wide. "What? You didn't say anything. I never thought…."

"Why would you? And why would I tell you I was crushing on your brother?"

"The brother he'd very thoroughly warned to stay away from you," Worth added.

Beck scowled at him. "Don't tell me you were interested in Laurence for more than what I expected you to be interested in."

"You mean a one-night fling?"

Beck wrinkled his nose in disgust. "I'm going to have to put up with this all the time now, aren't I?"

Worth's smirk made me laugh. "Someday you'll get to pay us back."

"Not with one of your best friends. I mean, not that they aren't all hot as hell, but they're taken, and who knows I might end up with a woman."

In the time I'd known Beck, I'd seen him date both men and women, so that didn't surprise me. "I just hope you end up with someone you care about the way I've fallen for Worth."

"Laurence—"

"I know why you warned me off, and you had good reason. I had no business going straight into a relationship, and you were absolutely right to remind me that your brother was not into anything long term."

Worth broke in. "I have thought about Laurie over the years, except I imagined him looking like he did back then. When we reconnected, it was?—"

Beck held up a hand. "Don't tell me."

"Explosive."

"That's enough."

"I haven't been interested in anyone since that night. I haven't even flirted with anyone else. Bringing Laurie here was the most natural thing in the world, and you know I don't let men stay here overnight. He even offered to stay in a guest room, and I said no. I don't want him out of my sight."

"Thank God you didn't bring him with you tonight."

Worth scowled. "I would never put him in danger like that, but I thought about him every second I was there."

I turned to look at Worth. "You did?"

"Yes, I told you that."

He had, but it was still hard to believe. Warmth filled me at his reassurance.

"I've never seen you like this, Worth." Beck said. "While you were up on the roof, your friends told me the same thing. They're convinced Laurie is The One for you. I'm just having a hard time believing it."

"Can you try?" I asked. "I want to stay here with Worth. I want to explore where things can go for us, but I also want you to still be my friend. And the bond between you and Worth is so important, especially considering the rest of your family circumstances."

Beck looked at each of us and let out a long breath. "I'll learn to accept it because the two of you look happy in a way I've never seen either of you. That has to mean something."

Worth huffed. "Damn right it does."

"So we have your blessing?"

Beck rolled his eyes. "Yes, Laurence, you have my blessing, and you"—he reached out and took my hand—"have my friendship. Always."

"Thank you." I blinked back tears.

Beck hugged me, then looked at Wroth. "Do not hurt him, or I will come for you, brother or not."

"I couldn't hurt him without breaking my own heart," Worth said.

"Damn, Laurence, you've turned him all sappy." We all laughed, then Beck glared at Worth. "One rule. Absolutely no sex talk."

Worth rolled his eyes. "I think we can manage that."

"Did you seriously tell him details about other men you've been with?" I asked.

"Only when I wanted to embarrass him."

We sat there for another hour or so, talking, eating dinner, and flipping through TV channels to see if there was anything Beck wanted to watch. Finally, when I could barely keep my eyes open, Worth gave me a kiss and helped me to my feet. "Go and get ready for bed. I'll be up once I get Beck settled."

"I can help you."

"No, you're tired. Go on." I didn't try to protest anymore. I was too sleepy, and I thought they might need some time, just the two of them.