With a short nod, the second man spoke. “I’m Matt and this is Nathan.” He tilted his head. “Shane’s brothers.”
Shane’s brothers. Shock washed through her, and she plastered on her foster care face. “Well. That explains the eye color.” Gray. Pure gray, just like Shane’s. “How did you find me?”
“We followed you to the bar from your work, and from the bar to here,” Matt said, his big body relaxing into the couch.
“No you didn’t. I checked behind me.”
He smiled. “I know. You did a good job, too. Almost lost us on Pine Street.”
Almost wasn’t good enough. No way could she take these two. They stretched well over six feet, packed hard, and thrummed with the same preternatural stillness as did Shane. They were as big as Shane. Probably just as dangerous. “So why follow me? Why not get your brother out of jail?”
“We will. Shane is safe right now. You’re not,” Nathan said, rubbing his chin.
She shifted her aim to him. “Is that a threat?”
Confusion wrinkled his nose. “Um, no. I’d never threaten someone so soft. Did it sound like a threat?” He lifted an eyebrow at his brother.
Matt shook his head. “I didn’t think so. I figured it for a statement of fact.”
Her shoulders straightened. “Listen, Laurel and Hardy. Knock it off. Aren’t you at least a little concerned I’ll shoot you?”
A grin tipped Matt’s lips. “Honey, you have the safety on.”
Goddamn it. Her thumb clicked the lever loose. “Not now, I don’t.”
His smile widened. “Shane was right. She is something.”
Pleasure rose unbidden. He’d talked about her to his brothers? In a good way? Then irritation spiraled through. “He never mentioned you. Not a single word.”
Nathan’s gray eyes softened. “He couldn’t, Josie. Trust me.”
“I don’t trust any of you.” Sad, but true. Not even Shane. Who were these people?
“Smart girl,” Matt said. “So, ah, do you mind telling us what the charges are against Shane? I know there was a BOLO out on him for kidnapping you, but the police canceled it earlier today.”
She ground her teeth. “I am pointing a gun at you.” How stupid were these guys? “Get out.” Home. She’d back her bags and go back home. If Shane stayed the hell away, she was safe. To get on with her life. Her long, boring, lonely life.
“Actually, you’re pointing the weapon at Nathan,” Matt said. “He’s been shot before. Go ahead.”
“You’re such an asshole,” Nathan muttered.
Their banter bordered on humorous, but a thick tension blanketed the room. Danger prickled through the air.
“Would you please leave?” Why was she asking them? She held the gun.
Matt’s eyes softened. “No. Shane apparently wants you safe. That means we keep you safe.”
“For how long? Until he leaves me again?” Her voice cracked.
“Ah, Josie.” Matt leaned forward, his gaze serious. “He had no choice. Jory was killed, and we had to move. Leaving you was the only way to keep you safe and do what he needed to do.”
Fire whipped through her. “Baloney. Sorry, Matt. The old ‘I hurt you to protect you’ line doesn’t work on me.” She shifted her aim to him. “How did Jory die?” The question held risk and she knew it.
They both stiffened. Already hard, their faces hardened even more. Matt held her gaze while Nathan dropped his to the floor. Pain thickened the air.
Matt cleared his throat. “We need to get Shane out. Will you help us or not?”
Okay. So they shared information as freely as Shane did. Not at all. “If I help you, you’ll leave? All of you?”
Matt winced. “Nate and I will leave. You’re on your own with Shane.”
“Shane will leave,” Nathan said.
Matt cut him a glance, “Nate—”
“Shane will leave.” Nathan’s jaw snapped shut. “I have one brother in the grave, and everyone close to us dies. Shane will leave. He’ll move on if I have to beat him senseless to do it.” He exhaled loudly. “I’m sorry, Josie. But you should cut your losses and move on. There’s no future with any of us.”
She’d already figured that out, but hearing the words delivered so coldly slid ice down her spine. Josie lowered the gun. Her hand ached, but she kept a hold of the weapon anyway. “How many brothers are there?”
Matt took her measure. “Four.”
Surprise flashed across Nathan’s face. Apparently Matt wasn’t usually so forthcoming. Nathan cleared his throat. “Four counting Jory.”
Three brothers still lived. A real family. “Shane might not remember you.”
The sofa wobbled when Matt pushed his bulk off. “I know. We have his medical records.” He stretched his neck. “Why was Shane arrested?”
She didn’t bother to ask how he’d gotten his hands on Shane’s medical records. “I went to stay with a friend, and two men tried to break into the house. Shane stopped them and knocked out my friend to, ah, take me.”
Nathan stretched to his feet. “Tom Marsh?”