The Billionaire Next Door (Billionaire Bad Boys #2)(66)

Rachel went back to cleaning the bar, turning the conversation over and over in her mind, her stomach tossing like a boat in a storm.

Her independence was important. Making it on her own, imperative. Shaun had definitely put doubt in her mind after they’d split. He’d betrayed her when he was supposed to love her.

Even now, the idea of moving in with a man again made her palms sweat. She’d feel so…trapped.

Wouldn’t she?

Tag hadn’t made her feel trapped or dependent. He’d made her feel…

Amazing.

She gave her head an intentional shake to dislodge the thought. Falling in love with Tag had its own pratfalls. He was a consummate bachelor whose middle name was Fun. What would he want with a girlfriend or…or…a wife.

The word hit her like a bucket of ice water.

Either of those roles required a lot of trust. She thought she trusted Tag, but what if she was wrong? She’d been wrong before. And the fallout hadn’t been pretty.

She had to protect herself—her heart.

No matter what.

*



Tag slid the heavy metal door of the freight elevator aside and made way for his brothers. Eli stepped into his upcycled warehouse, leaning heavily on a pair of crutches, his jeans flat below his right knee.

The doctors had insisted on getting him on his feet as soon as possible after surgery to increase circulation, and Eli, though wobbly, was doing well. Physically, anyway. He slid a displeased look around his home, specifically to the second floor, where his loft bedroom used to be. His hair was longer, his beard thicker, his frown more prominent.

“Welcome home,” Reese said, stepping out of the elevator behind Eli. Unlike Reese, who bought a mansion, and Tag, who opted for a penthouse, Eli went for the more industrial and less homey option. He’d improved the warehouse little by little every time he was on leave. He owned the building and chose to keep the lower floor empty. His upstairs offered plenty of open space to move around, ironically perfect for his mobility now.

Reese dragged Eli’s suitcase behind him. “I’ll throw this in the bedroom. It’s back here, by the way.”

Eli’s gaze flitted again to the loft and the metal stairs leading to his second floor. Then he walked to the living room area, his arms straining through his Henley as he maneuvered on the crutches. The therapist told them Eli would be fitted with a prosthetic in the next few weeks once his stump had healed. Eli had shared with Tag that he was anxious to get moving like “normal” again, to not be restricted. It’d take time, but Tag knew he’d get there. His brother could do anything he set his mind to.

“We moved everything from the second floor to the main floor,” Tag said.

Eli faced Tag, his navy blue eyes hard. “Yeah, I imagine those stairs will come in real f*cking handy.”

Reese entered the room and blew out a sigh.

“What the hell is all that?” Eli angled to the gym area they set up along the wall below the loft. Tag and Reese had had the area outfitted with a bench and weights and a machine for everyone’s all-time favorite: leg day.

“Your physical therapist will come daily, and you’ll have a nurse check in on you twice a week,” Reese told him. “This is part of the deal, Eli. You have to do your rehab.”

“We’re close by if you need anything,” Tag interjected.

Despite his surly attitude, they knew this was what Eli wanted. He wanted to be at home rather than stay with Reese and Merina any longer. And Eli made it clear he had no interest in staying with Tag. “Penthouses suck,” he’d said. He wanted his freedom, and this was the only way to give it to him.

“The nurse is temporary, just until your leg heals. Her visits will taper off after you learn your way around,” Reese said.

“Relearn, you mean.” Eli scowled at the floor.

Tag’s heart ached like it had split in two. What would it feel like to be missing a part of your own body?

“Hey, better than living with him,” Tag said, trying to lighten the mood as he pointed at Reese. Eli had stayed with Merina and Reese for the last few days and had been shuttled back and forth to the hospital as needed while Tag readied his warehouse.

“I’ve had enough of that love nest,” Eli muttered.

“It’s sickening, right?” Tag joked.

“I’d talk,” Reese said. “You’re still seeing your blond bartender. Last I checked, it’s about time for you to run for the hills isn’t it?”

Eli gave them the first hint of a smile—the barest lift of one side of his mouth. “Tell me it’s not true. Tag, the ultimate player, benched.”

Tag stifled his own smile. He’d wanted to shift the topic from Eli’s leg. It worked.

“Merina said you had a girl out in the waiting room. She said you took her to Hawaii on vacation.” Eli adjusted his weight on the crutches and rolled one shoulder.

“For work. She was advising on the bar setup.” Tag palmed the back of his neck. Okay. The conversation switch had worked too well.

Eli and Reese exchanged glances. “He knows I didn’t suffer brain damage when I lost my leg, right?”

Reese let out a deep laugh.

When Tag looked up to tell them both to cram it, he noticed Eli suddenly didn’t look so good. Then Eli winced, knuckles going white on the crutches, his face pinching. A sound of raw pain followed.