Free Tribes of Man: The Beginning [Tribes of Man] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Kiel Nichols Page B

sporting a woody, and he hoped that Bryce wouldn’t notice.
    He wasn’t sure if Bryce noticed or not, but his next words sounded suspicious. “Where’s Raina?”
    “She’s going to take a shower. I think she’s about to get in it. She’ll come downstairs when she’s done.” Gideon headed for the stairs. Because of his shortened ligaments, it took him a few seconds longer to make it down the stairs. Bryce walked past him.
    “Should I put on some coffee?” Bryce asked.
    “I don’t know,” Gideon joked. “The last time I had coffee at your apartment I lost some of my stomach lining.”
    Bryce laughed. “Hey, Tony made it. Mine is only half-bad.”
    “Maybe you should make it then, mine is about three-quarters bad.” Gideon was trying to keep his tone light.
    Bryce put the grounds in the coffeemaker while Gideon began taking out the ingredients for sandwiches. “We were supposed to order pizza, but I don’t want anyone coming to the house.”
    “Do you think what happened at the school was connected to Raina?” Bryce asked.
    “Yes, I’m almost sure of it. There’s some serious shit going on here, Bryce. I don’t know who is after her or why, but I know they’re bad news.” Gideon hunted in the refrigerator for mayonnaise.
    “How bad?” Bryce asked.
    “I was thinking either it was terrorists or foreign nationals. Now I’m actually a little worried that the CIA or NSA might be involved. Raina didn’t say that the guys had accents.”
    Bryce just stood and stared, coffeepot full of water in his hand. “You’re kidding me, right? Aren’t you being a little ridiculous?”
    “Bryce, you’re going to have to be careful. If they know that you two are lovers, they might come after you to get to her.” The possibility that Bryce’s connection to Raina could put him in danger just occurred to him.
    Bryce turned to pour the water in the coffeemaker and said, “We’re not lovers.”
    Gideon didn’t realize he was holding his breath, waiting for a response. He knew he’d been fishing with his comment. “In any case,” Gideon continued, trying to hide his relief, “they might not know that.”
    Bryce turned back around as the coffeemaker started gurgling behind him. “I’ll be careful.” After taking a long breath, Bryce said, “I do like her a lot though.”
    Gideon felt everything inside of him freeze. “I know you do,” he answered casually.
    “No, Gid, you don’t get it. I really like her. I want to be with her and no one else.” Bryce’s voice was earnest, as though he was trying to ram his point home.
    “Are you saying that you’re in love with her?” Gideon asked, carefully neutral.
    “I don’t know. I do know that I want her more than any other woman I’ve ever known. I just don’t know what to do about it.”
    Bryce never asked his advice about women. The fact that he was asking about Raina created a real problem. Gideon didn’t know what to say. “Did you tell her how you feel?”
    “Not in so many words. I hinted around to it this morning. I don’t want to scare her off.” Bryce’s voice was almost purposefully casual.
    “Have you seen any indication that she feels the same way?” Gideon asked, torturing himself.
    “No, not yet. I just don’t want to lose her to someone else because I don’t declare my feelings.” Gideon got the message that Bryce was declaring his feelings for Raina to warn Gideon off.
    He might have wanted to stay away from Raina in the beginning because of his brother, but it made him angry that Bryce would assume that Gideon would just back off. What is this, kindergarten? It was like Bryce was telling him, “I saw her first.” Damn.
    Gideon let out a noncommittal hum then said, “I can see your problem, Bryce. I don’t know what to tell you. You’re in a tough spot. I think you should lay it on the line. At least then you’ll know if she’s at all interested.” Gideon doubted that he’d give the same advice if they were talking