On one hand, I’m glad I pursued the issue with Bronaz. His running hot and cold with me was perplexing at the best of times, frustrating during the worst.

I had no idea what he was struggling with, though. The devastation and loss of his twin brother to depression and suicide was crushing him. When we talked, it was obvious he struggles with it to this day.

We were able to clear the air and now I understand more about why he was stiff-arming me.

Once we had the talk, he was much more open and loving. He stayed the night, which made me a very happy man. And we even set up a time later in the week where we could spend more time together.

I know that some won’t have a clue as to his struggle, or those who do wouldn’t understand it on more than just a superficial level. It stirs up something deep in me that wants to circle and protect him from further pain so he can finally heal.

Still, we’ve made significant progress and I count that as a good thing. We’re closer than I thought would be possible.

I feel good about us.

Protective instincts rise up in me, though. I want to shield Bronaz from all the pain in the world. It’s not realistic, I know. It doesn’t make it any less real of a desire. From the beginning, I knew he was a good man. Loving, kind, compassionate and sensitive, even though the sensitivity was hard to see when he avoided me. It was still there, beneath the surface.

I want to protect that, keep it safe to let it grow and flourish, hopefully one day moving beyond the gaping wound of having lost a twin brother. It wouldn’t go away; I’m not that clueless. But if the pain would no longer be a sharp ache in his soul, I’d consider that a win.

In the meantime, he has work, I have work and every day spent away from him feels like I’m missing a limb.

But today, I will hopefully get to see him. I have an appointment with Austin and we agreed to meet at the shop.

Both Austin and Nosko spend a great deal of their off time there and I can see why. The guys are like one big happy family. Despite the tattoos and the loud music and the fierce looking men who work inside the shop, they bond together to protect each other. I’m slowly starting to feel like part of them myself.

Which makes me feel more comfortable there.

Although they could turn the music down a little.

Austin is on the phone at the front counter when I get to the shop. He lifts a hand to wave me in and writes something in the appointment book before hanging up. “Hey! I was just thinking about you.”

“Is that good?” I ask in curiosity. “Have I done something right?”

Austin peeks around the partition that separates the front from the back. “I think you have. He’s been in a really great mood for the past few days. I take it things are better between the two of you?”

I fondly look over at Bronaz bent over a customer in focused attention. “I think they are. We had a long talk about things.” I leave it cagey and vague but Austin nods in understanding.

“Good. I’m glad. Sometimes just backing off a little with the good intention of letting the other come to their senses is enough to spook them. Nyve sort of did that to me. So I guess I really identify with Bronaz in this respect.”

“And I appreciate that you explained it to me. You could have let me keep guessing and making a wreck of things.”

Austin slides off the stool, his hand resting on his stomach. He winces when the baby kicks. I could see the kick from my side of the counter. “I wouldn’t want to do that. I like you. You have a good heart. And I adore Bronaz. He deserves to be happy and I know you’ll make him happy so it all works out.”

I motion to the back of the shop. “Let’s get a look at you and the baby.”

“Yes, please. Do you think you can give me something to help with his kicking?”

I laugh. “Only techniques to help you both rest. There’s no room to store a soccer ball.”

Austin’s appointment goes really well. Nyve comes and sits in for it most of it as we get in practice for breathing and delivery techniques. A few drills on what to do when it’s time to deliver to make sure Nyve understands what he can do to best help Austin.

They show me pictures of how the nursery is coming along.

They’re really going all out for the baby’s room and I think I even recognize some of the art painted directly on the walls.

“Each of the guys offered to do something,” Austin says as he looks over my arm as I swipe through his photos on his phone. “Even Nosko. He’s not a half bad artist himself.”

“I think it turned out really well.”

Austin takes his phone, looks at it fondly before he puts it away. “When will you and Bronaz start a family? Have you talked about that yet?”

“Please,” I say with a laugh. “We just got to the part where we’re in agreement that we want to start one. I haven’t gotten much further than that.”

Nyve claps his hand on my shoulder. “He’ll come around. He adores Nosko and Taran’s daughter. He’ll fall in love with our boy as well. Then he’ll keep you knocked up. I guarantee it.”

“Thanks, I think.”

“Oh!” Austin throws his hands up and pulls his phone out to type something. “I knew I was forgetting something. I talked to Ronnie earlier. We have some new information.” He struggles to get out of the chair but manages with Nyve’s help. “I just texted Goldie. Let’s go out and see if the guys have time for a meeting.”

When we step out into the shop proper, Bronaz is just wrapping up his client, Sako is still working on his, and Taran and Nosko just showed up with their little girl. Varos passes us coming from the back of the shop.

Goldie comes bouncing through the front door as well. “Did I miss anything?”

“No.” Austin waves her over. “We’re just getting started.”

We head off to a corner of the shop to talk and be heard over the music. “What about Sako?” I ask, glancing over at him.

“We’ll get him up to speed when he’s done. Let him work.” Taran sets Charity down in Nosko’s lap. “So what’s up, Austin?”

Austin perches on Nyve’s stool. “I heard from Ronnie. So, all that stuff that you,” he points to Goldie, me and Bronaz, “found at the building? Well, you know that word ‘lux’ didn’t turn up anything that we could use, right?”

Bronaz nods. “I thought it was a dead end.”

“Well, it’s not. I went to pester my father again about information he’s holding onto and he didn’t exactly say anything.” Austin pulls his wallet out and teases out a business card, handing it to Bronaz. “But he slid this over to me before we left for lunch.”

Bronaz reads the card aloud. “Bradley Templeton, Realtor.” He shakes his head and hands it to me. “I don’t get it.”

I look at the card, then up at Austin. “He owns the building?”

Austin touches his nose and points at me. “That’s what Ronnie says. And there’s more.”

“Oh my gods, Austin, you’re killing me!” Goldie says in exasperation.

Nyve looks fondly at Austin and strokes a hand down the back of his head. “He does that.”

“Well, make him stop.” Varos takes the card from me and hands me his phone which has an email open.

“Bradley Templeton owns several business park properties as well as has connections to subdivision development and rental properties. He also owns a property management firm…Oh…oh!” I cover my mouth in surprise.

“Seriously, Kuras?” Goldie drapes her arm over my shoulder so she can read. “Oh.”

Bronaz grabs the phone. “Holy shit,” he grumbles and reads the email as well. His face lights up. “Luxury Apartments Management, Ltd. Lux.”

“That’s got to be him. It has to be.” Goldie shakes me by my shoulders. “I know it is.”

“Careful,” Bronaz says, handing Varos his phone. “We don’t know the level of involvement yet. But we can bet he was there at some point and Rayne saw him.”

“Oh, he’s involved. I just know he is. I can feel it. Here.” She presses her hand to her heart. “That’s my sister. She smart like that. I’m going to go see what I can uncover.”

“Is that a good idea?” I ask.

“I won’t do anything. I’ll just snoop around. I have the time off coming and I’m sure Annika can run her shop by herself for a few hours. You coming?”

I glance at my watch and make a face. “I can’t. I have another appointment in an hour.”

None of the other guys are able to tear away due to their client commitments.

“Alrighty!” Goldie smiles brightly and bounces on her toes as she heads for the door. “I’ll be back later if I find anything.”

“Stay safe, Goldie,” Taran calls after her.

She gives us a cheerful wave and disappears.

“Does that girl ever have a down moment?” Varos asks after she’s gone.

Taran snorts. “They don’t last long if she does.”

“So,” Bronaz slides up behind to wrap his arms around me. I glance at Austin who’s smiling like a bird-eating cat. “Do you have time for a small announcement before you go?”

I give him a skeptical look. “I guess,” I say slowly.

“I just wanted to make sure the guys know that they’re going to pony up for another baby shower soon.”

That has everyone’s attention. Especially mine. “Whose?”

“Ours. Well, yours since you’ll be the one doing all the hard work.”

My face feels like it’s on fire now. All eyes are looking at me. “We what?”

Bronaz beams at me. “I figure there’s no reason not to start trying to have kids. There’s no such thing as too many, you know. Start now and have a whole bunch by the time I’m ready to retire.”

He wants to start now? My inner dragon is dancing a jig in delight. I’m delighted too, of course. I wasn’t expecting that we’d start until later.

Like…after we formalized our bond.

And here he was announcing it like it was a done deal.

“Oh that is so great!” Austin has his phone out to take a picture. The flash blinds me and I blink away the white spots. “Charity will have two playmates!”

“And you won’t have to worry about clothes.” Nosko bounces Charity on his lap. “Between me and Austin, we’ll have both genders covered since they grow so quickly. No need to waste money.”

I’m still stuck on having kids with Bronaz.

While Nosko and Austin chat, I turn in Bronaz’ arms, wrapping tightly around him. “You’re serious?”

“Of course I am.” He’s talking quietly while the meeting breaks up. “I want to claim you. Formally. Make you mine, body and soul.”

My inner dragon can hardly be contained. My mouth, on the other hand, is suddenly dry. “I’d like that very much,” I say thickly. Whether it’s dry mouth or the threat of being overwhelmed emotionally is hard to tease apart.

Bronaz covers my mouth with his in a deep, soul claiming kiss.

There’s no doubt in my mind.

This is going to happen. My dream is really going to happen.