Mine to Keep (NOLA Knights #3) - Rhenna Morgan Page 0,52

he wanted to let his attention wander back to the screen, he kept his eyes on Kir. “So long as he only looks and does not touch, he will live.”

Kir didn’t even try to hide his smile. “So, you’ve made a decision then.”

Roman cocked his head.

“To claim her for your own,” Kir clarified.

Claim her.

Yes.

Mine.

He clamped down hard on the barbaric thoughts Kir’s comments triggered and reclined against his seat back. “She’s lost her family. She was attacked. To keep her safe, I’ve forced the loss of her jobs as well. I’ve merely replaced the latter with a safer alternative and seek to make her life better.”

Kir’s smile dimmed. “Is that so?”

“You would not do any different.”

“No. I would not.” He paused only long enough to add emphasis to the rest of his words. “But I would not lie to myself either.”

The jab hit its target and, while Roman wanted to fire back a rebuke or avoid the comment altogether, he was wise enough to own the truth. “It is not so easy.”

Kir shrugged. “Since when do we care for easy?”

His gaze slid back to the screen and Bonnie as she pointed out different items beneath the counter. “I care when my actions might cause an innocent woman pain.”

And when he might cause a wealth of disappointment for himself in the process. Not that he was inclined to share such an insight with anyone else. Not even his brothers.

“I do not understand,” Kir said. “You are drawn to her. Everyone sees it. Even you. Why would you deny yourself? Or her?”

The same tightness and frustration that had dogged him since Danny had shown his interest at the barbecue flared along the back of his neck and shoulders. He’d been wrong to intercede. To rob her of the attention. Danny was a good man. Nowhere near as tainted by his past as Roman was.

“She would not do well in our world,” he answered simply. “You know the life her family has led. She hates it. Has stated plainly that she wants to live a simple, lawful life. She could never stomach the things I have done in mine.”

“Then do not tell her.”

Roman shook his head. “No. If I take a bride, there will be no lies between us. No secrets.” He inhaled deeply and tried to release the agitation swimming beneath his skin. “And besides that, she has shown no signs of interest on her part. I will not force my attention.”

To his credit, Kir didn’t argue back. Just nodded and quietly respected the boundary that had been set.

Roman motioned to the folder on Kir’s lap. “What is that?”

As if he’d forgotten all about it, Kir shook his head and tossed it to the desk in front of Roman. “The results of our search.”

“And?”

“Nothing. The tag is an old one. Out of date and last registered to a vehicle other than the one you saw.”

“Stolen.”

“Indeed.” He sighed and braced his forearms on each armrest. “The prints lifted from the knife and Bonnie’s apartment provided no leads either. Whoever they are, they have no records in Louisiana or surrounding states.”

It made sense. He’d known from the fear in her assailant’s eyes that they were inexperienced. Still, he’d hoped for at least a misdemeanor somewhere to give them a lead.

He nodded and set the folder aside.

“Where would you like to go from here?” Kir asked.

Where could he go? He had no leads. He had a woman that called to him on the most fundamental level living with him that he didn’t dare touch. Whose kiss he craved, but didn’t dare taste. “I do not know.”

In the monitor, Bonnie playfully backhanded Jacob’s shoulder and laughed loud enough he could faintly hear it through his open office door. Bohze, but he loved that sound. One he’d heard more and more frequently in the three days since the barbecue and doubted he’d ever tire of hearing.

“Perhaps I will take her back to her father’s house,” he said shaking off his thoughts. “See if there is anything there we might be able to use.”

“A reasonable action.” Kir stood, buttoned his suit coat and headed for the door. “I’ll leave you to it then. If you need anything, let me know.”

Roman flipped the monitors back to the standard restaurant view to avoid further distractions and pulled up the monthly P&L he was supposed to have finalized two days ago.

Kir paused just before he reached the doorway and turned as though a sudden thought had struck him. “What was that