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again.” He put the pot back on the burner.
    Drako dug another heaping spoonful of granola out of his bowl. “Still, we’d be fools to let our guard down.”
    â€œWe’re not,” Talen said. “We’re just not going on the offensive like we were. There’s a difference.”
    Drako ceded with a grunt.
    Talen, having consumed one full cup of coffee now, turned to Malek, who was loading an empty plate with precooked sausages and scrambled eggs. “Have you come up with any candidates for Mrs. Malek yet?”
    Malek didn’t answer right away. He wasn’t about to tell them whom he’d like to consider for his first and only candidate. Not yet. “No.”
    â€œHmmm...” Talen narrowed his eyes at Malek. “You’re lying. Who is it?”
    Drako raised one brow. “You keeping a secret from us?”
    â€œNo, I’m not keeping any secrets. And I’m not lying. There’s no ‘candidate’ yet.” Not technically.
    â€œThen there’s someone you’d wish to make a candidate,” Talen said, striking a little too close to the truth for Malek’s comfort.
    â€œNo, there isn’t.”
    â€œWho is it?” Talen was like a hound on a blood trail. He’d always been that way. For once, Malek was not happy about it. “Is it one of the Randall twins?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œApril?” Talen asked as he refilled the coffee filter with more grounds.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œOh, wait.” Talen squinted at him. “Is it Lei?”
    Lei picked that exact moment to come into the kitchen. Malek’s gaze flew to her face. Her eyes had that look about them, the one that said she’d heard Talen say her name.
    â€œGood morning,” she said, pretending she hadn’t heard them talking about her. Malek wondered how much she’d heard. He sent a warning glare to each of his brothers. Talen responded with a smirk. Drako’s response was a sober nod.
    â€œGood morning.” Talen filled the empty carafe with water. When Lei turned to reach into the cupboard, the asshole actually had the nerve to leer at her like the classless bastard he was.
    Malek fought the urge to knock him upside the head and gritted his teeth. When she turned back around, an empty glass in her hand, he gave her a little friendly tip of the head.
    â€œWhy are you holding a sausage?” she asked.
    â€œUh.” Malek glanced down. He’d forgotten he’d been getting some breakfast. “I was just about to warm these up. Want some?”
    Talen coughed.
    Drako cleared his throat.
    â€œUm . . .” Lei’s cheeks pinked up a bit. He liked that shade on her. “No thanks.” She headed for the refrigerator, then opened the door.
    â€œJust thought I’d offer.” Malek shot each of his brothers a get-lost look. Of course they didn’t leave. Drako munched on his stupid granola, and Talen poured the water into the coffee maker and hit the button, powering it up for round two.
    Malek shoved his loaded plate into the microwave.
    Looking extremely amused, Talen said, “So, Lei, Malek here was just telling us—”
    â€œThat I was thinking about taking a couple of classes at U of M next semester.” Malek twisted around, shooting Talen a warning glare. Then he returned to poking the buttons on the appliance to get it started.
    A vanilla yogurt in her hand, Lei gave Malek a semi-smile. “Oh, really? What were you thinking of taking?”
    â€œSewing,” Talen said.
    â€œSewing?” Lei echoed.
    Malek’s blood boiled. Bastard.
    Doing his damned best to hide his irritation, Malek dug back into the refrigerator for something else to eat with his sausages and eggs.
    Drako stood, gathered his empty bowl, spoon, and glass, and took them to the sink. “I need to get back to packing.”
    â€œTalen can help you,” Malek offered as he shut the refrigerator door.