up. If they were to meet him, Bane didn’t know what he’d do for sure. The urge would be to turn around and deal with business now, putting the things threatening Myrt behind them. The saner response would be to continue on his way, hauling his woman—ain’t that a sweet, sweet thought—and her brothers down the mountain to safety.
Fortunately or not, he didn’t have to make a decision; there was zero traffic on the tiny mountain roads. Branching off on the slightly larger state highway, he drove into town and out the other side, parking below their rooms. In the mirror, he watched Myrt’s interactions with the boys, their eyes growing wide at the sight of the hotel and pool.
“Let’s get everyone set up.” Bane turned and caught Myrt’s gaze, giving her a wink that made her cheeks go pink. “Get a little cleanup done and y’all can swim until dinner.”
“Really?” Luke’s eyes were shining as he gave Bane a broad, guileless smile. “That’d be great.”
“Really, really.” He opened his door and swung out, seeing Gunny already headed inside. Sliding the side door of the van wide, he offered his hand to Myrt, who accepted the assistance with a duck of her head. “We’ve got clothes and stuff for you guys, and I’m pretty sure we threw in some swim trunks, too.” Luke was behind her in exiting the vehicle, followed by Thad. “Hopefully we guessed your sizes okay.”
“You’ve both grown so much since the last time I saw you.” She ruffled Luke’s hair and pulled him in for a sideways hug. “I’m glad Bane had the idea of getting…well, everything.”
Thad shrugged and stepped between Bane and Luke. He didn’t make a big deal about it, sliding in sideways before he gave Bane his back, and then took a step backwards, forcing more space around his brother. It was the kind of move a protector would make, done on instinct, following years of practice. A glance at Myrt said she hadn’t noticed. It told Bane a lot about the homelife these boys had lived before being forced to take Myrt’s place at Sallabrook’s farm. School, community, or home—one of those places had trained Thad to be aware of even potential danger to his brother, and given the way he moved, Bane thought Thad had probably backed it up pretty well for a not-yet-teen.
He did it again in the upstairs hallway leading to the rooms. Myrt and Luke were out in front, walking shoulder to shoulder, heads leaned together as they talked, and Thad trailed behind by a couple of feet, carrying the burlap bag filled with the few treasures the boys had. Bane brought up the rear of their little progression and, on a whim, decided to try to pass Thad. The boy faked a believable stumble, lurching into Bane’s way and keeping him separated from Luke and Myrt. That was more deliberate than the move downstairs, and Bane stared at the back of Thad’s head, considering. Then the boy turned his head to glance over his shoulder, and the expression on his face was filled with so much rage that Bane slowed his pace, allowing the three to gain a larger lead.
What the hell have these boys been through to warrant that kind of anger?
Gunny poked his head out of the second room and waved them forwards. “Boys, you’re in here with me.” Gunny looked past the siblings and gave Bane a chin lift. “Shifted the luggage and shit around already. I’ll get them started with showers, and you and Myrt can call in some grub.”
Myrt slowed, breaking free from Luke’s grip on her hand as she turned to face Bane. In her eyes he saw heat; then her lids dipped as she looked down, her innate shyness taking hold. Clearly she was remembering the same thing he was—the moments before Gunny had shown, the sweet touches and hungry kisses that had moved them both.
Luke went with Gunny willingly, but Thad—predictably—paused in the hallway. Bane gestured towards the doorway. “It’s okay, Thad. There’s a door connecting the rooms. You can see Myrt whenever you want.” Hand on the doorknob, he swiped the room’s keycard through the reader and pushed the door wide. Myrt stopped beside him and leaned in, her shoulder hitting his ribs as she molded herself to his side. “Myrt’s not goin’ anywhere. Promise.”
“It’s just…we barely got her back.” The boy’s pain bled through his words. “I can’t—I don’t want to lose her again.”
“You won’t, Thad. You