“
I think I arrived just in time,” Leo announced a second before he grabbed a swinging Jeoff. Leo plopped Arabella’s brother onto the couch. “Stay or I’ll sit on you.”
A wise man— some of the time— Jeoff didn’t budge.
“You were told,” Hayder taunted.
“Don’t make me duct tape your mouth again.” Count on Leo to take the wind out of Hayder’s sail.
Few people argued with the massive man. Nor did anyone ever tell him to leave, even if Hayder really wished both Leo and Jeoff would go so he could resume the interesting moment he’d shared with Arabella just before all hell broke loose.
Alas, judging by Arabella’s guarded expression, that sensual moment was gone. He’d have to find another way to recapture it. But first he needed to convince Jeoff to let her stay, as well as get Leo to depart— without enforcing an omega-calming moment— and have Arabella lose the rounded shoulders as they fought over her.
Poor baby. How overwhelming this must be for her. How upsetting. And partially his fault.
Shit.
Ignoring the others, Hayder dropped to his knees in front of her. “I’m sorry, baby. Don’t get upset. I promise to behave. After all, it’s normal your brother would want to protect you, and I shouldn’t have beaten the hell out of him for it.”
“I think it was the other way around, cat,” Jeoff muttered.
“Shhh!” Leo said in a loud whisper. “He’s apologizing. Don’t ruin it.”
Arabella’s gaze briefly met Hayder’s. “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s obviously not. I can see you’re disturbed. You know I didn’t mean for that to happen. I never meant to upset you.”
“I’m not upset about the fight.” Her lips twitched into a small smile. “Boys will be boys, my mom used to say. I’m just sorry to cause all this trouble. Jeoff’s right. I shouldn’t be here.”
“Ha. Told you so.” Jeoff crowed in triumph.
“And I shouldn’t be with his pack either. With this danger hanging over me, I should flee the country and keep my problems away from all of you.”
Leave? He meant to say no, but his lion spoke first. More like rawr-ed.
And in reply? She sneezed. A few times as a matter of fact.
“What’s wrong with you?” Jeoff asked his sister.
“Stupid allergies,” she grumbled.
Jeoff snickered. “You still suffering from those? That’s hilarious. And yet the cat thinks you’re true mates?”
“She’s mine, and a little sneeze and spit won’t change that.”
“Is he completely insane?” Jeoff muttered.
“Utterly, but the doctors say he’s not a danger to himself or the pride. But I wouldn’t push him. And given these two are talking about the future, a future that isn’t ours to decide, we should leave them to work things out,” Leo politely suggested.
“But—” Jeoff never got a chance to finish that thought because Leo had spoken. And when Leo spoke, he acted. “No buts. You. Come.” Leo grabbed a hold of Arabella’s brother, tossed him over a shoulder, and marched him out with a tossed, “Don’t you screw anything up with the girl. I’d hate to have to come back and teach you a lesson.
”
”