had all these people fit into this tiny house growing up?
Jacqui stepped forward as their mother headed toward the kitchen, cooing over the infant.
“These rude jerks are Colin, Finn and Dan, my other brothers. And Dan’s wife Tory,” she indicated each person in turn then motioned to him. “This is Henrik. My date.”
“What the hell?” Finn exclaimed. “That’s not Henrik. That’s f—” He glanced at his mother’s back, cringing. “That’s Roller. How are you dating him?”
“How’d you meet him?” Colin asked, talking over his twin.
“How long have you been hiding this from us?” Finn fired right on his heels.
“Are you kidding me?” Dan glared, shock mixed with anger on his features. “Him? This is who you pick after so many years of ignoring men?”
“Boys.” The one comment from their father had them all clenching their jaws tight, more questions obviously contained behind the time-earned respect for the older man.
“Way to go, Jac.” This last comment came from Tory, whose grin couldn’t possibly get any bigger.
Jacqui had gone stiff during their barrage of outraged questions, her chin lifting in that stubborn tilt Henrik knew and loved. He placed a hand on her shoulder, staring every one of the protective men down. A fierce protectiveness of his own pummeled his chest and tightened his muscles. He might understand this brother code, but he wouldn’t let them hurt Jacqui either. It went both ways now, and their evident distrust of him was doing exactly that.
Jacqui glared at her brothers, her anger simmering off her to enflame Henrik. He wasn’t that awful, was he? Did they really think that low of him, and why? What the hell had he done to any of them? He played hockey, kept his nose clean and sometimes dated high-profile women. That didn’t make him an instant jerk.
Yet these men had apparently classified him into that category, had tried and convicted him before he’d spoken. Another round of judgments levied based on hearsay.
“You are all dicks,” Jacqui said, disgust heavy. “Every one of you.” She eased Henrik’s coat out of her father’s hands. “Sorry, Dad.” The apology was soft, but her expression was hard when she turned around. “Let’s go, Henrik.” She shoved past the scowling men and whipped the door open without looking at any of them.
Henrik did though. He had no problem glaring at each brother in turn. “I’ve done nothing to you and I care about your sister. You might give that a thought.” He followed Jacqui into the night, closing the door behind him.
An instant round of loud voices exploded from the interior, but he was too focused on Jacqui to care about what was being said. He hustled down the path to catch her around the waist. She froze, going stiff as he stepped in front of her. Her head was lowered, and he enfolded her in his arms, heart aching for her pain.
“I’m sorry,” he mumbled into her hair, wishing like hell that’d gone differently. Only he had no clue what he could’ve done to change the outcome. “I’m so sorry.” It was all he could think to say.
“It’s not your fault,” she mumbled against his shoulder. She sniffed, chest hitching. “I’m sorry they treated you like that. It wasn’t about you.”
But it was. “Maybe they’re right.” They obviously wanted better for their little sister. Better than him.
“Shut up.” She shoved at his chest, a soft jab that didn’t move him. “They’re not right.” Her conviction was firm in her expression when she looked up. “They’re stupid, overprotective idiots, that’s all.” She cupped his cheek. “It has little to do with you.”
“Would they have acted that way with another guy? Someone from your school?” And the thought of Jacqui bringing home another guy to meet her family soured his stomach with sick jealousy. Irrational yet there.
“Probably.” She stretched to kiss him, soft and reassuring when she’d been the one hurt.
He tucked her head under his chin and held her as close as he could without crushing her. Silent vows flew through his head, promises to protect her, keep her safe, treasure her like she deserved. “Should I beat them up for you?”
Her chuckle eased some of the tension that strung her muscles tight beneath his hands. “Mom doesn’t like it when they come home bloodied.”
“We could do it on the ice.” He’d take each one of them down if she asked.
“They’d probably enjoy it too much.”
The creaking hitch of the front door opening shot into the brisk night air. Jacqui flinched, muscles tensing