Page 60 of Tone Deaf

“Listen to me, this is the most honest and open thing I’m going to say to you.”

“And what is that?” There’s a clear note of resistance in his voice.

“I love you, Callum. And tell Pen I love him too. And I’m not giving up on us. No matter what.”

“Dom,” he says with a sigh.

“No, Callum. We’re not breaking up. You two are mine.”

“We’re not even together,” he counters, and it lashes at my confidence like a barbed whip. “But we’ll see,” he says before hanging up.

I swallow down the ache squeezing my throat. I’m one stupid motherfucker if I let these men go without fighting for them. Fighting for my love for them.

Callum’s words keep bouncing around in my head.This isn’t Pen’s fault. It’s yours.

He’s right. This is all my doing. If I had only told Pen about my terrible past, we wouldn’t be in this turmoil. And since he’s so pissed off at me that he’s not willing to pick up my calls, I haveto prove it to him—and to Callum—that we are good for each other.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Callum

I take a moment, absorbing the words Dom said to me.I love you, Callum.

Those words send a burst of warmth throughout my body. I feel lightheaded, even slightly giddy. Though, I’m not sure if it’s from Dom’s admission or the nervousness of taking a leap with these men.

I know that we have more than just a physical attraction to each other. When we are together, whether it’s just two of us or all three, we don’t just have sex. We talk, we laugh, we get to know each other… like couples do, trying to build a connection.

We’ve formed a bond… been in a relationship all this time and I didn’t comprehend that until now.

Why didn’t I see that we alreadyaretogether?

The more I roll his declaration around in my head, the more I come to realize that my feelings for these guys are as true as any couple who say they are in love. Like Danny and Tobias. And even if Connor doesn’t admit it out loud, he and John are also in love with each other.

Just like them, I’m in love with Dom and Pen. Equally and separately. They have shown me these past months that love—reallove, not like what I grew up with between my mother and Brian, doesn’t hurt. Aside from Dom’s default to keeping things close to the vest, that is, which I know he does to protect us. He is going to have to do a lot of explaining about that to Pen.

As if I’ve conjured him, Pen rushes into the room, gun in hand and eyes wide with fury. “We found Jordan.”

I gasp. “Where?”

“He’s by the gate. He called and asked me to meet him there,” Pen says in a growl.

“I want to go with you,” I demand, knowing damn well he won’t let me.

“No.” He shakes his head. “Stay in the house, and keep the doors locked. Two of Dean’s men will be standing guard.”

“Pen,” I grate out. “I want to look that asshole in the eye when you beat the hell out of him.”

“I’m not going to do that. I’m only going to contain him until the cops come.” He eyes me warily. “Listen to me. I promise you; you’ll get your moment to tell that bastard off, but right now isn’t the time. You need to remain here. Promise me that, so I can keep all of my attention on Jordan. Alright?”

“Okay,” I concede.

“Once this is over, and the cops arrive, we’re leaving. So finish packing.” Pen gives me a brief smile and sprints out of the room.

I wait for a minute before walking to the living room. I glance out the window and spot the two men standing by the front entrance.Good.

Feeling more secure, I head back into the bedroom to pack. I’ve just picked up my practice guitar to put it back in the case, when I hear a noise. It wasn’t loud, but it was enough to draw my attention. As I walk out to investigate, the front door opens.

“That was pretty quick. Did he give up?” I say, rounding the corner until I come face to face with a man I’ve never seen before. “Who are you?”