At close to ten p.m., Xander finally pulled into his driveway. It was dark, but the automatic lights turned on at his approach, and a car was idling in his extra parking spot.

“Probably your security,” he said.

Sasha nodded. “Yes. I just wish there wasn’t a need.”

The urge to pull her into his arms and reassure her was strong. Incredibly so. No sooner had he found out she was in danger than the anger he felt toward her had begun to soften.

Suddenly he was able to put emotion aside and think clearly about their past. She’d been all of twenty when they were together last, and it was hard to imagine she’d had a good grasp on life or relationships at that age. And he’d definitely expected a lot of her at a time when everything around her had been changing fast.

Maybe they both shared responsibility for how things ended.

But just because he was coming closer to forgiving her and providing her with a secure place to stay now didn’t mean he’d forgotten how badly she’d hurt him. Or the fact that their lives could never mesh. But he couldn’t deny the pull she exerted over him, either.

“Xander, what’s wrong?” Sasha put a hand on his arm, shaking him out of his thoughts.

He shook his head. “Everything’s fine. I was just thinking.” He opened the SUV door, climbed out, and Sasha did the same. She met him on his side as he unhooked Bella and let her off the leash. The dog quickly ran to do her thing on the grass.

A large man wearing jeans and a dark sport jacket stepped out of his vehicle. With his overall don’t-fuck-with-me appearance, he had personal security stamped all over him.

He joined them and spoke immediately. “Jared Wilson of Alpha Security,” he said. “And you’re Sasha Keaton.”

Smiling, she shook his hand and then he turned to Xander. “And you’re Dash’s brother.”

Xander nodded. “Xander Kingston.”

“I see the resemblance,” Jared said.

“You’ve worked for Dash?” Xander asked as he strode behind the SUV and raised the back with the push of a button.

Jared shook his head. “Others on my team have, but he’s out back in the pool with the rest of the band.”

“At this hour?” Xander groaned and pulled first one then another of Sasha’s suitcases out of the trunk. “I’ll talk to him about just showing up while we’re on guard.”

“Xander, no.” Sasha put her hand on his arm, and damned if it didn’t feel good. “Your brother should be able to come over any time he wants.”