Chapter 8:
Brenna and Dean slowly started to wake around the same time the following morning. At some point during the night, Brenna had wrapped herself around Dean's back, making him the little spoon. He chuckled at the idea as Brenna started to pull away. "You're more of a cuddler than Roman."
Brenna giggled as they stood from the mattress. She stretched before turning to Dean. "I've got to shower before we head out."
Dean nodded. "I'm gonna be next door at Roman's. Come find me when you're ready."
Dean sat in the kitchen with Roman, Seth and Jessica. "I don't know what to do. She told me to forget about it, but when her safety and possibly life are in danger, I can't pretend to be ignorant."
The group had listened intently as Dean explained the situation. Seth looked ready to start swinging. He was pissed. They'd only known her for days, but spending hours upon hours together, they'd quickly become friends. Professional relationship be damned, he wouldn't let anything happen to his newly proclaimed baby sister.
Roman ran his hand across his face. He didn't know what to say either. She'd grown so close to Jes the previous day and he couldn't help but see her as a surrogate sibling. She was his firecracker.
Jes was the only one to speak. "Don't overthink it. You're not going to let her get hurt. I get that she doesn't want to get you all involved, but you're better men than that." The weight of the situation hit her as well. In only 1 day, she felt as if she had a new best friend. They had instantly felt a deep, kindred connection. She knew her boys would keep Brenna safe—they just needed to see it themselves. "As long as you've got her back, she's going to be fine."
Roman nodded as did Seth and Dean. They'd learned to never question Jessica. She had an uncanny ability to always be right.
"Don't tell her you know anything…at least until we know what the next move is. I'll try to get more info out of her." Dean turned to Roman, "I need to borrow your truck today. She's going to find furniture and I need to look as well."
Seth perked up, "You decided to stay?" A Cheshire-like smile spread across his face. Both of his pseudo-brothers in one city was too exciting to Seth.
"My condo sold. I found another one here. Don't piss your pants, dude. I'm like a mile away, so I won't be right next door like you guys….and now Brenna." Den looked at Roman and Jes, "You keep this shit up and you'll have a fucking neighborhood of family."
Seth looked like a little kid excited for Christmas. He held his arms open as he approached Dean. "Bring it in, bro! Share the love. You can't escape it."
Dean started backing away. "Dude, I'll kick your ass! I don't do hugs."
Dean took off in a sprint around the house with Seth on his heels. Brenna was surprised at the commotion when she entered. Seth had Dean on the floor of the kitchen with his arms and legs wrapped around the man. "I knew you loved us! You just couldn't stay away!"
Dean struggled to roll over with Seth attached. "If this is the treatment I'm gonna get, I might move back to Vegas."
Seth finally let go and Brenna and Jes stood back laughing while Roman just shook his head.
"Alright, let's get a move on. I want my furniture delivered by tonight." Brenna was still smiling.
Dean nodded, "Yeah, I couldn't take another night on the mattress on your floor."
Roman's eyebrow rose as he looked between Dean and Brenna.
"I told you to hit the bricks. You just didn't listen. AND you kept putting your cold feet on me. You're a woman when you sleep, I swear." The room filled with snickering.
"I'm a woman when I sleep? You cuddle worse than Roman…and that's saying something." He turned to look at the guys and Jes, "I woke up as the little spoon this morning. I haven't decided how I feel about that one yet." He grabbed the keys from the counter. "Let's go. I need to stop by my condo on our way to town."
Brenna felt the mood of the room shift after Dean had left. Roman, Seth and Jessica didn't look any different, but the silence left her feeling like something had changed. "Is everything okay?" Bren's eyebrows scrunched in confusion.
Roman wrapped an arm around her shoulders, "Everything's fine, firecracker. But don't keep your woman waiting."
Brenna chuckled as she walked away from the group.