Page 58 of Draco's Defiance

“Draco.” Reaching for his shirt, she met his eyes. “Are you talking about doing something illegal?”

“We’ll do what has to be done to keep ourselves, and the people we care about, safe, little girl.” His tone was dismissive, as though he couldn’t believe she’d even asked.

“That kind of talk worries me.” Her flawless brow creased with concern.

“Then don’t let it.” Leaning closer, he planted a kiss on the tip of her nose. “I’m not asking you to be involved. You’re only here to stay safe.”

“The law doesn’t really work that way,” she insisted, finally able to run her fingers through the length of his blond locks. “Complicity is frowned upon.”

“You worry too much.” His tone was knowing as he drew away and offered her a smile. “Let’s just get inside and see what the situation is.”

AS SUSPECTED, THE INTERIOR of the so-called townhouse looked like something from the pages of House Beautiful. Its sleek monochrome designs were broken only by the artwork Draco had mentioned, although staring at the collection as they rushed past, Moira couldn’t see why he had been so critical.

“This is all Sebastian’s?” she asked as he steered past another landscape.

“The artwork, yes.” Draco sounded predictably unimpressed. “Don’t tell me that you like it?”

“I like it, yes.”

She knew nothing about the art, but the imagery she’d seen had been classic and soothing. She couldn’t see Draco’s issue with the paintings, unless of course, the issue really lay with the brother who’d chosen them.

“Draco!” A dark-haired guy who was even taller than Draco greeted her new lover with a grin, opening his arms to embrace the man who’d brought her there. His gaze traveled to her as they hugged, his green eyes a similar hue to her own. “And this must be Moira?”

Releasing his brother, the man Moira assumed to be Cole strode around Draco to welcome her.

“Yes.” Draco intercepted immediately, putting himself between the two of them. “This is she.”

“Moira.” Stepping around his brother, Cole smiled. “Hi, I’m Cole.”

“Nice to meet you, Cole.”

His grin set her at ease at once, as did the knowledge that she realized how well he and Draco got on. “Come on upstairs.” Cole motioned to the spiral stairwell. “Everyone else is there contemplating our Monroe problem.”

“Monroe is a disease.” Draco reached for her hand and urged her forward, following Cole up the staircase. “The entire family is.”

“Don’t let Sebastian hear you say that.” Cole chuckled. “He’s already told Rebecca that he loves her, and I suspect that it won’t be long until we have a Monroe in the family.”

“Great.” Blowing out a breath, Draco sneered at the idea.

“I’m sorry we haven’t met under happier conditions, Cole,” Moira called after him.

“Yep, me, too.” Already on the landing at the top of the staircase, Cole looked back sympathetically. “I don’t think anybody expected the last few days to play out this way.”

Draco shot her a sideways glance, his expression confirming that Cole’s statement resonated for them, as well.

“I think we’re lucky Monroe didn’t come for you.” He squeezed her fingers as she joined them in the bright and spacious hallway. “You were the one on his mind last week, after all, but you wisely turned him down.”

“I got the impression that he wasn’t used to rejection.” Her gaze scanned the space before landing on Draco.

“No doubt that left him suitably pissed off to plan his revenge.” Cole’s jaw tightened. “We’re just lucky that Sebastian came back when he did and stopped Monroe in his tracks.”

“Did somebody call me?” Another giant strode from a nearby doorway, his hair not quite as dark as Cole’s and yet notably darker than Draco’s mop of blond tresses.

“Sebastian.” Draco stepped in front of Moira, offering his brother his free hand. She noted the difference in his approach to Sebastian compared to the warm welcome he’d given Cole.

“Nice of you to join us, Draco.” Sebastian’s tone was wry. “Sorry for the way I reacted before. Cole explained a little of what you’ve had going on.” His gaze traveled to Moira.

“I came as soon as I could.” Draco’s lie was effortless. “And anyhow, you had two brothers here. What more could I have offered?”