This was a different sort of privacy and something to savor. Sly reached for shampoo, hesitating when he glanced at the label. He sighed. So he’d smell like a fruit bowl. There were worse things in life.
* * * * *
Joe wondered if his heart might beat out of his chest. He stomped into the kitchen and picked up the phone.
“Is something wrong?”
“I don’t know.” Worry creased his brow as he punched Saber on speed dial. “Sly’s not talking. Yet.”
Kiera opened the cupboard and pulled out a whiskey bottle. She dug several mismatched glasses out of the cupboard and poured a measure into two of them. She handed one to him. “Bottoms up.”
While the phone rang and he waited for someone to answer, he clacked glasses with Kiera, taking a measure of comfort from her calm presence.
Down the passage, the shower started and tension ratcheted up in him. If Sly had done something stupid, he didn’t know what he’d do. Maybe he should ring Laura or Charlie. They might find out what was going on.
“This had better be good,” Saber growled down the line.
“It’s Joe. Sly just turned up here.”
“Fuck,” Saber said. “Don’t let him leave. I’m coming right now.”
The phone clattered, leaving Joe listening to dead air. His brother’s curse told him everything. Saber was worried.
“Ring Felix and Leo. They’ll want to see Sly,” Kiera said. “I can do it if you want to go and talk with your brother.”
“No, I’ll wait until Saber gets here.” Joe downed the whiskey in his glass and Kiera filled it again for him. The coffeemaker stopped gurgling and she poured him a coffee.
The shower stopped about the same time a car pulled up outside. He and Kiera stared at each other. Kiera strode into the den and returned almost instantly. “It’s Saber and Emily. I’ll ring Laura while you talk with Saber and ask some discreet questions.”
Sly appeared, wearing jeans and carrying a T-shirt. “Don’t worry about calling the cops. I haven’t done anything wrong. They let me out.”
Joe swallowed, staring at his twin, emotion swelling in his chest. His throat choked up and his eyes started to sting. He took two steps toward his brother and suddenly they were in each other’s arms. Sly held him so tight, he could scarcely breathe. A shiver racked Joe and silent tears trickled down his face. God, Sly’s absence had left a yawning hole inside him. It was good to have him home.
Kiera stared at the two men, alike with subtle differences. At present, Joe looked fitter and his skin more tan than his brother’s. She watched the way they clutched each other, as if they’d never let each other go.
Saber and Emily entered the kitchen, glanced at the twins and walked over to her.
“What’s going on?” Saber demanded.
“They’ve let Sly out of jail early,” Kiera said. “That’s all he’s told us.”
Saber frowned at his brothers, but Kiera witnessed the sheen of emotion in his eyes, his relief. “He just turned up?”
“Yeah.” Heck, she’d thought Joe was playing a trick on her. For a second, until she’d woken properly and realized Joe held her, pressed against her naked back.
Emily marched over to the twins and tapped Joe on the shoulder. “Shift over. It’s my turn.”
“Emily, darlin’,” a husky voice said. He and Joe loosened their grip on each other and wrapped themselves around Emily too. Kiera knew it wasn’t Joe, but the voice was similar enough to give her goose bumps.
She wouldn’t have any excuse not to return to her apartment now. Joe hadn’t mentioned her moving out, but since her brothers were at the polo school, she didn’t need to keep up the pretense. Yeah. Tonight she’d stay at her apartment and give Joe and Sly time together.
Joe probably wouldn’t even miss her now that his brother had returned.
“Okay, that’s enough smooching with my wife,” Saber said, shoving his way into the press of bodies.
Kiera leaned against the counter, uncertainty swallowing her normal confidence. She wasn’t sure what to do or how to act. Should she leave them to it? A glance at her watch told her it was too early for work, the hour ten minutes shy of four. She hesitated and moved to the coffeemaker. Some more caffeine wouldn’t go astray.
More cars arrived and Kiera let the new arrivals inside. Felix and Tomasine turned up first, shepherding a sleepy daughter before them. Leo and his wife Isabella appeared next, swiftly followed by the local cops—Laura and her husband Jonno, Charlie and his mates Gavin and Leticia. Jake, Hari and Ambar arrived last.
Kiera ushered them inside and went straight to the coffeemaker. The kitchen became one big mass of happy families. Despite the number of people in the house, Kiera had never felt so alone. Stupid, really. This was a celebration. She put on another batch and fished through the cupboards for cups and mugs. She pulled out more glasses since she figured some of the men would want a whiskey too.
“You okay?” Ambar yawned and gave her a hug.
“Of course.” The smile on her lips sat stiff and uncomfortable but never faltered. Stiff upper lip. She could do it with her eyes closed. “Everyone told me the twins were identical. I didn’t realize it would be like looking at a carbon copy. Even their hair looks the same, shaggy and in need of a cut.”
Ambar nudged her in the ribs. “You’d better watch out. You might end up in bed with the wrong one.”
“Coffee or whiskey or both?” Kiera asked, not willing to get drawn into that conversation. Not only was it tacky, but she and Joe were together for mutual benefit. Neither of them wanted happy ever after.
“I’d better have coffee. Rohan will lecture me for a week if I turn up at the store under the influence.”
Jake slipped his arm around Ambar’s waist and kissed her neck. “Rohan would blame either me or Hari. We’re meant to keep you under control.”
Kiera smirked since she’d listened to variations of this conversation ever since she met Ambar. “Good luck with that.”
Saber interrupted the confusion with a shout and everyone fell silent. “Tell us what happened.”
Sly scowled. “Hell if I know. I have no idea why they let me out. I wasn’t about to argue. They made me sign a document to say I wouldn’t speak to the press or approach Maggie. The minute I signed they let me out and a driver brought me to Middlemarch.”
“Um…confession,” Emily said, sneaking a guilty glance at her husband. “I went to see Maggie a few weeks ago and asked her if she could do something about getting Sly released. Maybe I actually got through to her.”
“I told you to stay away from her.” Despite Saber’s harsh words, he pulled Emily into his arms and hugged her.
“Thanks, Emily,” Sly said. “Saber is right though.” His voice hardened—his visage brutal in the harsh artificial light. “She’s an unpredictable bitch. Don’t trust anything she says. Keep away from her. She’s trouble.”
“They can’t put you back in jail?” Joe asked, voicing the one thing they were probably all thinking.
“They gave me the impression if I behaved and played ball, I’d remain free. There’s no way I’d talk to reporters anyway,” Sly said. “We don’t want them ferreting out feline secrets. They didn’t appreciate I was a sure bet when it came to keeping out of the public eye.”
“Is Maggie aware of your feline status?” Emily asked.
“No,” Joe said.
“We never told her,” Sly said.
Joe hated Maggie for what she’d done to his brother. Kiera had never met her and wanted it to stay that way. The woman’s dishonesty had put the Mitchell family through hell.
“Do we tell people you’ve been released?” Tomasine asked.
“I’d like to fly under the radar,” Sly said. “I’m happy to hang out at home. If I want to go out, I can pretend to be Joe. It’s not as if we haven’t done it before.”
“Now you admit it,” Leo said with a chuckle, his handsome face glowing with humor.
“Be
ing a twin is handy sometimes,” Joe said.
Everyone laughed, but Kiera knew he’d suffered while Sly was gone. And that was why she needed to walk away and give them time together. It didn’t matter if her brothers returned. She’d stood up for herself during their visit, refusing to go to Christchurch with them when Matthew issued the order. It helped knowing both Oscar and Tyrone backed her decision. They’d even indicated they’d consider moving to New Zealand.
Gradually daylight crept through the windows. None of the Mitchells made an effort to move, and Kiera couldn’t blame them. They’d missed Sly and didn’t want to leave his side.
Kiera left the kitchen and grabbed clean clothes from the bedroom. She’d have a quick shower and make an early start at the garage. Joe and Sly needed time alone with their friends and family.
In the bathroom, she shut the door for the first time. Taking a deep breath, she stared into the mirror. She looked the same. How was it possible when everything had changed in the blink of an eye?
Joe didn’t need her anymore.
It shouldn’t hurt but it did.
Sighing, she turned on the shower and shucked her clothes. She jumped under the water, shivering until it turned hot. Not inclined to linger, she washed briskly. The door opened when she was toweling dry. She held the towel to her chest and whirled to face the door.
“Relax. It’s only me,” Joe said. “What are you doing?”
“I’ve got a couple of cars at the garage. I want to get an early start.”
“You don’t have to leave.”
“I know, but you’ll enjoy spending time with your family.” Her smile didn’t fit any better than it had out in the kitchen. She reached past him and started to dress.
“What’s wrong?”
Her smile widened, still stiff around the edges. “Nothing.” She trailed her fingers down his cheek, fighting to control her emotions. Why the hell did this feel like a breakup? She pressed her lips to his. “I’ll see you later.”
Joe wrapped his arms around her, and she clung to him, her heart beating rapidly. Maybe it was better if she got out of the relationship now anyway. She already hurt at the idea of their separation. A couple of months down the track when her brothers actually left would be much harder.
Kiera pulled away first and continued to dress. “Joe, it’s great your brother is back. I’m pleased for you.”
“Thanks, babe. It’s good to have him back.” He stole another kiss before grinning. “Catch you later.”
Seconds later she was alone with her thoughts. It was a depressing place to dwell.
* * * * *
The last of the family didn’t start leaving until close to midday. Joe hadn’t realized how much he’d shut them out until they’d descended on him today. Sly. God, he couldn’t believe he was actually here. He hugged Isabella and clapped Leo over the back before moving on to Felix. Tomasine had left earlier to open up Storm in a Teacup. Finally only Emily and Saber remained.
“I’m glad you’re back, Sly,” Emily said. “We’ve missed you.”
Saber patted him on the shoulder. “Life has been peaceful without you around. I missed shouting at the pair of you.”
Joe exchanged a look with Sly, and they both grinned. “You might regret your confession.”
“Maybe,” Saber said.
Emily checked her watch and let out a squawk of horror. “I’d better get to the café. The regulars will be wondering why there are no fresh muffins.”
“What are you going to tell them?” Saber asked.
Emily shot him a coquettish glance. “I’ll tell them I wasn’t feeling well.”
“They’ll jump to conclusions,” Saber said, his eyes narrowing at her impish grin.
“And you’re not man enough to handle a few conclusions,” she teased. “We’ll see you boys later. You can come to dinner on Saturday night.”
When the door shut behind his oldest brother, Sly started to pace.
“You okay?”
“I’ve got to get outside,” Sly said. “What jobs need doing?”
“I need to check the cattle in the north paddock. I’ve been having problems with the water flow to the trough.”
“I’ll do it,” Sly said.
Joe nodded. “I’ll come with you.”
“No!”
Sly’s sharp tone made Joe’s eyes widen. Wordlessly, he stared at his twin.
“Sorry. I need time, okay?” He paused, but even then the fingers of his right hand drummed against his leg. Sly couldn’t keep still.
“I’ll ring Neale Jones. I can probably start cutting his paddocks.”
Sly nodded. “See you later tonight.” He made for the door.
Joe frowned after his brother. He understood it would take time for Sly to adjust. They’d locked him away for almost eight months and he’d spent stretches of days in solitary confinement. It would take him time to take his freedom for granted. He’d let Sly set his own pace. He was home. That was the main thing.
The rest of the day passed rapidly. Joe didn’t meet anyone apart from Neale Jones. Neale asked him to cut an extra paddock and it was late when he arrived back home.
Kiera’s vehicle was absent. Not unusual since sometimes she worked late to get a repair finished or she might’ve dropped in to visit Ambar. He hurried inside and found Sly cooking a steak and holding a can of beer in one hand.
“I missed this,” Sly said. “I can’t remember the last time I drank a beer.”
“Did Kiera ring?”
“Nope, but I haven’t been in long. You’ve done a good job on the farm. Everything looks great.”
“I didn’t have anything else to do.” A gruff note sounded in Joe’s voice. Yeah, he’d worked long hours, but Sly would’ve done the same thing in his position.
“You want me to cook a steak for you?”
“Thanks.” Joe wandered over to the answer phone to check the messages. A couple of farmers wanted their paddocks cut in the next day or two. He rang both men back and sorted out times. Kiera must be with Ambar. She’d arrive home soon.
Sly set a meal in front of him—steak and vegetables—and they started eating.
“What do you want me to do tomorrow?” Sly asked.
“Why don’t I catch you up on what I’ve been doing and where I have stock grazing and we can divide the labor for the rest of the week?”
“Sounds like a plan.” Sly applied himself to his steak, pausing without warning. “You gonna tell me about the woman?”
A flash of annoyance struck Joe. “Her name is Kiera.”
“She’s living here.”
Joe met Sly’s gaze, part of him surprised. This felt suspiciously close to an argument. “Yes.”
He didn’t share Kiera’s family problems with Sly, and that told him, more than anything, how far they’d drifted apart. Either that or he’d changed.
“We never have a woman living with us.”
“Things change.”
Sly didn’t comment, merely continued with his steak.
Conflict simmered in Joe. He loved his brother. They were best friends, but he’d come to enjoy Kiera’s company too. He missed her presence, her tuneless humming and her scent. Maybe it was time they talked and changed their agreement, made their relationship more permanent.
“You like her,” Sly said finally.
His appetite gone, Joe set down his knife and fork and pushed his plate away. “I like her. If you have a problem, you’d better tell me now.”
Sly closed his eyes, a pained expression flashing through him. “I thought we’d end up with Maggie.”
“I wouldn’t touch her with a ten-foot stick,” Joe snarled. “She’s made her choice and it’s not us. Tell me you’re not gonna do something stupid and try to see her?”
“No. No, of course not.” For an instant Sly’s shoulders slumped. “The last thing I want is to end up in jail again. Not even Maggie is worth the risk.”
The phone went and Joe rose to answer it. “
Kiera.” Her familiar English accent soothed his agitation.
“Hey, Joe. I meant to ring you earlier and kept getting interrupted.”
“Problem?”
“My big brother trying to throw his weight around again. This time he tried to tell me Grandfather agreed to the arranged marriage with William and I needed to uphold the family honor.”
“Is that likely?”
“It’s a flat-out lie. I spent a lot of time with my grandfather. We used to talk about everything and arranged marriages came up. His parents arranged his marriage and he told me he’d never inflict the same thing on me. He was adamant, although he’d never give me details.”
“Did you explain that to Matthew?” Joe was aware of Sly’s close attention to the conversation. With his acute hearing, he wouldn’t miss a thing.
“Yeah, but he still insisted Grandfather approved the match.”
“Your brother isn’t going to let this go, babe. He sounds determined to me.”
Kiera sighed, the soft resignation tearing at Joe. He wished she were here so he could hold her. Comfort her. Amusement bubbled up in him without warning.
Yup. He was a goner.
“Matthew’s call put me way behind. I promised Harold Cawthorne I’d fix his truck because he wants to start on the road early tomorrow morning. It’ll take hours yet. I’ll crash at the apartment once I’m done.”
“I can come and keep you company.”
“No, you work long days as it is. Get some sleep.”
Disappointment seared Joe. Despite possible friction with Sly, he wanted Kiera. She might say she didn’t want marriage or to mate formally with a feline but, by the time he finished with her, she’d understand they were right together. She would realize he’d never force her to give up her business or shove her into a mold. His brothers’ mates were strong, independent women, and he couldn’t see himself settling for anything less. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Of course.”
Some of Joe’s tension eased. “And you’ll stay the night?”
“What about Sly? Don’t you want to spend time with him?”
Joe cast his gaze on Sly. His twin didn’t give away his thoughts. Too bad. “I’d like you to stay.” He wouldn’t say more. She wasn’t ready for him to stake a claim. Not yet.
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