Leo reached for Shay’s hand as they made their way from the bathroom and strolled into the main room of Vault of Sin. T.J. and Brute were seated at the bar, waiting, watching them approach. They hadn’t stuck around to shoot the breeze. They were here for Shay, to make sure she was all right. And Leo was happy they’d had the balls to do so. It took a lot for any of them to show weakness toward a woman, and that was exactly what they were doing—showing Shay they cared.

“We cool?” Brute took a sip from his scotch glass.

Leo glanced at Shay and raised a brow.

“What?” she whispered.

“He’s askin’ you, gorgeous.”

“Oh.”

The tops of her cheeks darkened, making his cock stir to life again. Shay wasn’t the embarrassed type, and seeing her flustered was like a shot of adrenaline to his dick.

“Yeah.” She gave a breathy chuckle. “We’re cool.”

“You did good, Shay,” Brute offered.

“Oh, thanks.” She gave a derisive laugh. “I didn’t realize my participation was a casting call.”

“Don’t get that tiny lace G-string of yours in a twist. I was just letting you know I’m happy for you both.” Brute moved around the counter and placed his empty glass in the dishwasher. “Well, I’m heading off for the night. I need to catch some Z’s. You need a lift, T?”

T.J. kept his gaze on the glass in his hands, the ice clinking against the sides as he tilted it back and forth. “Nope. I’m going to have one more.” He reached for the Grey Goose bottle on the bar and poured himself another finger.

“Make sure you get a ride with Leo then. You’re already over the limit.”

“I’ll be fine.”

Brute met Leo’s gaze, expressing a silent request to keep an eye on T.J.

“I’m happy to hang around and lock up,” Leo offered. “If he needs a lift home, I’ll drive him.”

Brute came back around the bar and stopped beside Shay. “Call me if you need anything.”

Leo could see the adoration in his friend’s eyes and ignored the pang of jealousy expanding in his chest. “She’s got me if she’s in need.” He tried to curb the slight annoyance in his tone.

“Yeah, but sometimes you’re an ass.” Brute slung his arm around her neck and kissed her temple.

“Pot. Kettle.” Shay chuckled. “But thank you. I appreciate the offer.”

Brute shrugged and headed for the door. “I’ve got reason to be the way I am. Leo no longer does.” He gave a lazy salute and disappeared behind the back of the bar. “Catch you all next week.”

Heavy footsteps faded into the distance, followed by the opening and closing of the back entrance door. Then it was quiet. Too quiet. Leo wanted to get Shay home, to snuggle, to talk, to fall asleep with her in his arms. Only something was up with T.J., and Leo wouldn’t leave him alone like this.

“You okay?” Shay slid across the stool next to his friend and tilted her head to look at his downcast face.

“Yeah, sweetheart, just tired.”

It was more than exhaustion weakening T.J.’s tone. Leo had watched him slide along the scale of self-pity for months now. Each day away from his wife hit harder for the guy who wore his heart on his sleeve.

“Are you sure.” Shay met Leo’s gaze with concern in her eyes. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No.” Both Leo and T.J. spoke at once.

“It’s family stuff,” T.J. added. “The unending crap that goes along with my marriage.”

Shay’s eyes widened. “You’re married? How did I not know that?”

“We’ve all got our secrets,” Leo murmured, trying to take some of the heat. T.J.’s demons revolved around his wife. He loved her with every breath and every heartbeat. But their marriage had changed over the years, leading to their separation. Each day away from the woman of his dreams had taken a heavy toll, and Leo wasn’t sure if the two of them would ever regain the relationship they’d once had.

“Really?” she drawled. “And what secrets do you have?”

Leo narrowed his gaze, wanting to slap her ass for being so sassy. “You already know mine, so stop looking at me like that.”

She inclined her head as if to say touché and then turned back to T.J. “Is there anything I can do?”

“Nah.” T.J. threw back the remainder of his vodka and slammed the glass down on the bar. “Just continue to make this guy happy.” He slid from the stool, released a deep breath and plastered on a fake smile. “Wish me luck handing over the divorce papers.”

Leo opened his mouth but silence remained. He had nothing—no words of advice or comfort. His friend had been married for six years. Six happy years. And now he was going to end it all. He hadn’t even known his friend had been speaking to a divorce lawyer.

“You can’t drive home.” Shay slid off the stool and rushed around the bar to grab her handbag.

“I’m fine.” T.J. copied Brute’s farewell, sidling up to Shay, hugging her around the neck and placing a kiss on her temple.

There was no jealousy this time. All Leo felt was a gaping hole in his chest for the guy who had a bigger heart than Leo and Brute combined. A divorce wasn’t the answer. Surely it couldn’t be the answer. T.J. loved his wife, and from all their previous discussions, his wife loved him back.

“Are you sure about this?” Leo palmed his keys, ready to leave.

“Drop it. I’ve only had a few drinks. I’m right to drive.”

“No.” Leo shook his head. “I’m talking about the divorce. Why don’t you give counselling a try?”

T.J. laughed. “Yeah, buddy, counselling. That’d be a hoot.”

“I’m serious.”

“And I’m done.” T.J. shrugged. “I can’t spend every night thinking about her, knowing I’m holding her back from the rest of her life. My own selfishness has dragged it this far. I couldn’t stand the thought of her being with anyone else. But I’ve gotta let her go. She deserves better.”

“Better than you?” Shay asked, her voice fragile. She climbed back onto a stool and then higher still to sit on the bar. “I don’t understand.”

“You don’t need to, sweetheart.” T.J. patted her thigh and made to leave. “I’ll see you both next week.”

“Wait.” Leo jerked his head for Shay to follow. “I’ll drop you off.” T.J. wasn’t drunk, but he was high on emotion. And in Leo’s mind, that was a dangerous mix after a few drinks.

“Don’t do this.” T.J. swung to face him and held up a hand for Shay to stop her progression off her perch on the bar. “Tonight is about the two of you. Let me go. I’m safe to drive.”

Leo scrutinized the lines of devastation on his friend’s face and the concern in Shay’s eyes. Talk about a rock and a hard place. Guys didn’t do emotional bullshit. If T.J. wanted to be alone, so be it. He wasn’t going to hold T.J.’s hand and spoon feed him ice cream. “Are you sure?”

T.J. rolled his eyes. “Fucking positive.” He gave a lazy wave to Shay and headed for the back door. “Don’t get into too much mischief over the next two days.”

Shay met Leo’s gaze, her lips slowly lifting at the edges. “We won’t,” she called over her shoulder and waited for the back door to close. “Is he really okay to drive?”

“He knows his limits. He’ll be fine.” T.J. was the responsible one, and the roads were deserted at this time of the morning. Leo was more concerned about the additional alcohol T.J. would consume once he stepped foot inside his apartment.

“That’s it? You’re his best friend and all you’ve got is I guess?”

Leo shrugged. Nothing he did would change the shit T.J. was going through. The guy was solid, he always bounced back. He just had a heart bigger than most. “Pretty much. And besides, he’s not your concern.” He stalked toward her and spread her thighs with a rough hand.

“Oh.” She cocked her head in defiance. “And what is?”

“Me,” he growled, pulling her off the bar. Her legs circled his waist, clinging tight as he strode for the exit. “Me and only me, for the rest of eternity.”

“How poetic from a man who has probably never known monogamy.”

He grinned at her, knowing she was going to keep him on his toes for a damn long time. “Not poetic, gorgeous.” He placed a lingering kiss on her lips before opening his eyes to the passionate pull of her brown irises. “I’ve just been waiting for the right female to take me off the market. And now that I’ve found her, no other woman will ever exist.”