flamed.
Dominic stepped away. âIâll be back in a minute.â
Logan cast one last look at the boys before leaving the room. Closing her eyes, Cissy sighed. Wisps of the boysâ hair moved and tickled her chin. She dropped her cheek to the top of their heads, rubbing it back and forth.
How had they ended up here? And in the middle of the night with an almost stranger?
She cringed. There was no way she could pay for her car being towed, a new tire and room and board for the night. What would Logan and Dominic do when they found out she was broke and had no place to go? Would they throw them out? Or worse, call Family and Children Services?
Clutching the boys tighter to her chest, she whispered an apology when Jayden whimpered. âItâs okay. Everythingâs gonna be okay.â
And if it wasnât, sheâd make it okay.
The cell phone in her pocket buzzed against her thigh. Cissyâs hands curled tighter around the boys. The incessant vibrations persisted despite her attempts to ignore them.
Keep our boys together, Cissy.
She firmed her features. Sheâd make it okay. She had to.
* * *
âA RE THEY YOURS ?â
âHell, no,â Dominic spat.
He winced at the harsh words that burst from his mouth. The warmth from Jaydenâs body still lingered on his right side. And it wasnât the kidsâ fault his brother had turned into a cynical ass.
It was just like Logan to come out with guns blazing. This was the exact reason heâd put off coming home for so long this time out. Dominic gritted his teeth and flicked his eyes over the room to rein in his temper.
Not much had changed in Raintree Ranchâs main office over the past year and a half. It remained organized, controlled and presentable. Just like Logan.
Shoving his fists into his pockets, Dominic stared his brother down. âThose boys have to be at least five. For Godâs sake, Logan, is that what you think of me? That Iâd abandon my own flesh and blood for the first years of their life?â
âI donât know, Dom,â Logan returned, eyes piercing into his. âYou just hit twenty-five. And you sure as hell left a trail in your wake. You probably donât know what youâve left behind.â
Dominic straightened. âOh, Iâd know. Thatâs one chance I donât take.â
Logan maintained his stance behind the mahogany desk. Hands flat on the counter, head lifted. âMistakes happen.â
âYeah,â Dominic sneered, âand donât you know it, big bro?â
That got a reaction.
Logan shoved off the desk, rounding it and bringing his face so close it blurred. âIf you came home just to stir shit up, you can haul your ass off right now. Donât have time for it. Some of us work for a living.â
âAnd I donât?â Dominic jerked his chin up. âWhose work produced the money to build this place to begin with?â
âI wouldnât call getting thrown on your back by bulls and buckle bunnies actual work.â Logan stepped away and narrowed his eyes. âBut heaven forbid we ever forget that you still cut us a check every month.â His brows rose. âWant to see âem? I havenât been cashing them. Just stacking them up all nice and neat in a pile and locking them in the safe so youâll have proof you did your part when the time comes.â
Dominicâs gut roiled. âYouâre a real bastard when you want to be, Logan.â
âYeah,â he said, nodding, âand you love it. Makes it real easy to sweep back in here and be the charming hero every couple years. Tell me, how many times did you call Pop over the past year and a half?â
Dominic spun around, then strode to the window and hunched his shoulders. âHe has you.â
âHe sees me every day, you know? Itâs not me he wants to talk to. Itâs you.â Loganâs scornful laugh crossed the room to