Landing Eagle

by Harley Stone

  “Right. That deployment.” Sniffing for blood, she waited for me to elaborate but I refused to rip off my bandage and show her the damage.

  She was far too good at reading me, and her eyes softened at whatever she saw in my expression. “Nae…”

  “No,” I snapped, turning my back to her. I couldn’t talk about the op. Not yet. I had to keep pressure on that wound, so I wouldn’t bleed out. “So… what else do I know about Emily? Well, this dress is stunning, so she’s obviously secure enough in her own beauty that she doesn’t have to ugly-up her bridesmaids to make herself look good. That’s commendable. Did you see Michelle’s bridesmaid’s dresses? Hideous.”

  Michelle was a mutual acquaintance who clearly didn’t share Emily’s confidence. Her bridesmaids dresses had looked like prom dresses from the eighties. In contrast, the dress Emily had sent me to be fitted was strapless, floor-length, and emerald green. With a bodice that lifted my breasts, slimmed my stomach, and made my ass pop, the gown would make most red-carpet dresses look like potato sacks. I’d never worn something so luxurious and sexy. Not only did Link’s fiancée have taste, she wasn’t a prude. She had no problem with her girls showing off a little skin.

  Monica held her tongue for a moment. I knew she wanted to revisit what happened during my deployment, but thankfully she didn’t push. “Girl, that dress fits you like a condom,” she replied.

  “A condom? Are you saying I look like a dick in it?”

  She laughed. “Hell no. I’m saying it’s tight and prepares you for some action. I wish I could be there to see the look on Bird-brain’s face when you show up wearing that. Homeboy’s gonna blow his wad on the spot. I hope his boxers are waterproof. You might need some sort of splash guard if you get too close to him.”

  Bird-brain was the nickname Monica had not-so-lovingly bestowed upon Eagle after I’d told her about the disappearing act he’d pulled after our amazing night together. I thought he and I had connected, but judging by the way he didn’t even show up to say goodbye, obviously not. It wasn’t like I’d been looking for a relationship or anything, but it would have been nice to know I’d rocked his world as much as he’d rocked mine. Almost two years after we’d done the horizontal tango, and I still couldn’t get the man out of my head. I was anxious to see him again.

  “Yeah, well he’s gonna have to cream his pants, because he’s not getting anywhere near my vajayjay again. I learned my lesson.”

  She laughed. “What lesson? It was supposed to be a drive by coochie cleaning. You weren’t supposed to get attached to the guy. That’s on you, Nae. But the asshole could have at least nutted-up to say goodbye.”

  “I didn’t get attached. I didn’t even ask for his phone number, nor did I try to cuddle after we banged. I got my clothes on and got the hell out of there before he could kick me out.” Kim had told me that Eagle didn’t like his fuck-buddies to stick around, and I’d been determined not to join the ranks of the evicted.

  “Play it up however you want, but you can’t tell me you didn’t catch a little case of the feels. That faraway look you get whenever you talk about him tells all.”

  “He was fabulous in the sack,” I defended. “Trust me, Monie Love, not only did he have a huge schlong, but he knew how to use it. If anything, I’m emotionally connected to his dick.”

  She unfolded her legs and stood, her expression still skeptical. “Well, that dress will test the restraint of your boy and his giant schlong, but what’s going to keep you in check? You gotta hold out this time. If your legs fall open the minute you walk through the door, homeboy’s gonna think he can treat you like a whore. You have to demand respect from these players.”

  “My legs are not falling open at all. I’m going home for my brother’s wedding. That’s it.” I was almost fifty percent sure I could resist Eagle. At least a solid forty-nine percent certain I wouldn’t trip and land on his penis. “It’s been two years. He could be married by now. His hair could have fallen out and all of his teeth could be rotten or missing. Who knows if I’ll even find him attractive anymore? I was pretty plastered last time.” Not at the airport I wasn’t. And not during lunch with my family when I kept eyeing him, but I was trying to forget all that. “I’m not even going to drink this time, so I won’t have my whiskey goggles on.”

  She cackled. “You’ve been thinking about this a lot, huh?”

  Plotting was more like it. I’d burned through too many brain cells wondering if I’d still feel that strange magnetic pull toward Eagle, and thinking up ways I could resist if I did. I wasn’t ready to admit that aloud, though, so I ignored her and finished packing.

  All too soon, Monica’s laughter died down and she grew uncharacteristically somber. “Will you tell your dad about what happened during this last deployment?”

  The sudden change in topic blindsided me, flooding my mind with memories. Gunshots. Wounded lying everywhere. My desperate attempts to get my disabled helicopter off the ground. The coppery-sweet smell of blood. My stomach roiled, and my vision swam. “No,” I choked out. I’d felt so fucking helpless that day. Friends had died, and it didn’t matter how good my piloting skills were because I couldn’t even get us in the air. There wasn’t a goddamn thing I could do but shoot at the seemingly endless stream of attackers.

  Forcing the memories to the back of my mind, I blocked them behind the thickest wall I could construct. Then I took a deep breath and grounded myself in the present.

  I’m safe.

  I’m home.

  It’s over.

  “You’re gonna need to talk to someone about it.” Her eyes were soft. Compassionate. Emotional. It was too much, and not at all what I needed. I couldn’t stand to see that shit in her eyes.

  “Not right now.” I spun around to face the dress again, needing to distract her. To distract us both. “Right now, what I need is to figure out how to pack this thing without getting it all wrinkled. Somehow I don’t think rolling it up and stuffing it into my backpack will work.”

  Her silence lingered, and I didn’t think she’d let me change the subject but finally, she took the bait. “You done lost your mind if you think I’m gonna let you defile that beautiful gown like that. You are not ten years old. Take your garment bag and check it like you’re grown.”

  Looking from the dress to the backpack, I replied, “But there’s room.”

  Monica growled. “Forget it. I’m packing your dress for you.” Before I could argue, she marched into my closet and pulled out my garment bag. She cast one last dark look over her shoulder, making it clear that she was giving me a reprieve, but we were far from done with this conversation.

  ***

  By the time my flight touched down in Seattle, it was a little past seven p.m. Before I’d left Albuquerque, I texted Link to let him know I’d grab an Uber since I didn’t fancy lugging my garment bag around on the back of some prospect’s bike. When I took my phone out of airplane mode Link had replied, telling me that Emily would pick me up instead.

  Great. Nothing like an awkward conversation with the stranger marrying my brother after a long flight. Narrowly resisting the urge to argue with him and insist on getting my own damn ride, I asked what she’d be driving.

  After I collected my luggage, I found Emily waiting in her slick black Jaguar XE. She popped the trunk, and I put my garment bag and backpack away before climbing into the passenger’s seat. The jag was clean with leather interior and all the gadgets a driver could ever want. It looked posh and expensive, much like its owner. Link had sent me a picture of Emily so I’d recognize her, but she was even more beautiful in person. She wore a navy business blazer and skirt with practical-looking pumps, and her posture was perfect. With long, dark hair, piercing blue eyes, and a smile that somehow seemed both measured and authentic, I could tell she was a woman who could hold her own. Of course, she was. Link wouldn’t have fallen for some mousy chick who wouldn’t challenge him.

  “Thanks for picking me up. You weren’t waiting long, were y
ou?” It was a stupid question, and I don’t know why I asked. It wasn’t like I could have done anything about it if she had been idling at the curb all night. I was stupidly nervous all of a sudden, and trying my damnedest to be polite and ladylike.

  “No. Don’t even worry about it. I’m glad I could get away from the office to pick you up. I know we haven’t spoken much, and I wanted to talk to you before everything gets crazy for the wedding.”

  She seemed uptight and worried. Maybe a little nervous, as well. “Is everything okay?” I asked.

  “Yes. I just… I figured you’d have some questions for me. Especially with Link and I getting married so quickly. Let me assure you, I’m not pregnant since that seems to be on the top of everyone’s mind.”

  Her candid nature paired with the image of how my brother would react to being asked if his bride-to-be was expecting made me laugh. “Oh, I bet Link loves getting that question.”

  She rolled her eyes. “He beats on his chest and roars at anyone who asks, telling them it’s none of their business.”

  “With several expletives, I’m sure. Well, I definitely didn’t think you were pregnant, and if you were, I wouldn’t care. He’s right, it’s none of anyone’s business,” I assured her. “And Link wouldn’t be marrying someone just because he knocked them up. I’ve never heard my brother talk about anyone the way he talks about you.” I looked around her car. “Also, it’s obvious you’re not marrying him for his money since you’ve clearly got your own and he bleeds all of his into the club. He said you’re a criminal defense attorney. Which firm are you with?”

  She was watching me. “My own. I used to work for the Wielder Group, but I got sick of being told to represent assholes I knew were guilty.”

  “How do you choose who to represent now?” I asked. “I mean how do you know who’s innocent?”

  “After I meet with possible new clients, I check their story for holes. Interview witnesses, character witnesses, employers, old boyfriends or girlfriends. Of course, none of that was enough for your brother. We butted heads for a while, but finally came to a compromise. Now his guys vet my clients as well. Part of me feels like I caved too easily, but then I remember that Link loves me and is just trying to protect me, so I let him. He’s a Neanderthal and he drives me crazy sometimes, but he’s kind and generous and a legitimately good person. I know we’re nuts to be getting married so quickly, but I love him. I trust him—his character, his honor, his heart, his loyalty—implicitly. After the relationships I’ve had, and the people I’ve defended over the years, it makes no sense, but I do.”

  Her honest, heartfelt declaration released the knot between my shoulders that I didn’t realize I’d been carrying around. I was worried about Link and I wanted him to be happy. I still didn’t understand why they were getting married so quickly, but at least I knew her motives were true. She loved him. My brother would be happy, and that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

  “I’m determined to make this work, but feeling a little out of my depths with the whole club scene, so if you have any advice for me about living with your brother, I’m all ears.”

  I thought about it a moment before asking, “You ever been horseback riding?”

  “Nope. I always wanted to, but never had the chance.”

  “Before my mom bailed, she took me and Link to a couple of lessons. While we were saddling up, the instructor told us that some horses have strong personalities, like some people. The instructor then taught us how to feel a horse out and see how it reacted to commands. She had us ride several horses to demonstrate. Some only took a little tug on the reins to get them going in the right direction. Others required more of a yank and a little kick to the flank. Then there was this one named Dusty that I had to keep reined in, because he had an agenda. The moment I gave him his head, he’d bolt and take me for one hell of a ride. Like Dusty, Link is intelligent and has great instincts so it’s not like he’s going to run you off a cliff or into danger or anything. It just might take spurs and a riding crop to get him to do what you want.”

  Emily stopped for a light and turned to stare at me. She blinked, then she cracked up laughing. “That is probably the best marriage advice I’ve ever heard. We should stop somewhere and pick up horse gear, so I can keep your brother in line.”

  I cringed, both at her lingo and the visual it produced. “First of all, gross. I now need to scrub the images of you using a riding crop on my brother out of my mind, you freak. Secondly, it’s called tack, not gear. Third, I have a feeling you keep him in line just fine. I’ve never heard him sound so happy.”

  “Thank you.” She glanced at the engagement ring on her finger, smiling.

  “Let me see how he did,” I said. “Show me that rock.”

  She held her hand in the air between us. The ring was stunning. Apparently, I was wrong and Link hadn’t been sinking all his money into the club, because it had to have cost him a mint.

  “Holy shit, no wonder you said yes.”

  Emily laughed again. “He did well. Now, let’s talk about the schedule. Tomorrow you’re free, but don’t plan anything for Friday. I have us booked for manis and pedis before the rehearsal and dinner.”

  A girly date with my soon-to-be sister-in-law, and I was actually looking forward to it. “I can’t even remember the last time I was pampered. My fingers and toes are excited. It’s official, you’re my favorite soon-to-be-sister-in-law ever.”

  She laughed again, and I reveled in how comfortable I felt with her after such a short time. For the rest of the car ride, we chatted about the club and the wedding, and I had such a good time with Emily, that I barely even thought about Eagle.

  Eagle

  NAOMI WAS BACK. I knew she was coming. She was scheduled to be in the wedding, after all. But hearing her name whispered around the Copper Penny still caught me off guard. I perched on my barstool and tuned in to the conversations around me, trying to hear why everyone was talking about her. Whatever it was sounded like a mix of pride and fear. I could have come out and asked any of my brothers, but I was still trying to convince myself I didn’t care, so I kept my mouth shut.

  “Naomi’s in town,” Wasp said, taking the barstool beside me as he sized me up, watching for a reaction.

  The shit-stirring motherfucker could keep watching because I was determined not to give him the satisfaction. “I’m aware.” I nursed my glass of whiskey, keeping my gaze straight ahead.

  “You gonna stop being such a pussy and go talk to her?”

  I about choked. A pussy? I had half a mind to knock him off his barstool. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” I asked. “It’s like you want me to beat your ass.”

  “Just pointing out the obvious, like how you’ve been avoiding the fire station since she got here.”

  “I don’t even know when that was, genius. I’ve been working, as if it’s any of your goddamn business.” But if I had known Naomi was there, I sure would have avoided the station. I hadn’t stopped thinking about her since the night we’d spent together. I could no longer recall Genie’s face, but I couldn’t seem to forget Naomi’s. There was something majorly fucked up about that. “I’m not avoiding shit.”

  He chuckled. “Sure, you’re not. She looks better than ever, Eagle. And she’s one tough broad. You hear what she did to Zombie today?”

  I shook my head.

  “She was helping out at Formation,” Wasp replied. Formation Auto Repair was owned by the club. Lots of brothers put in time at the shop, and I’d heard rumors that Naomi did her fair share of auto tune-ups and repairs before leaving to join the Air Force. Knowing she was a bit of a grease monkey just made her sexier and filled my mind with images, so I tried not to think too much about that. “She was replacing the breaks on a truck when Zombie made the mistake of coming on to her.”

  “He did what?” I asked, feeling my blood pressure rise as I turned to give Wasp my undivided attention.

  “Ah, you are awake. Good. Zombie used some line about
how a beautiful woman like her should be laid out on top of the hood, not under it.”

  I’d kill the dumbass. I’d rip his goddamn tongue out and strangle him with it. Standing, I scanned the bar, ready to take him out back and teach him a little lesson about respecting Naomi.

  “Whoa,” Wasp said. “Damn, brother, you got it bad. Take a beat and breathe. Zombie’s not here. He’s not about to show his face after what Naomi did to him. I’d imagine he’s somewhere nursing his pride and cursing his stupidity tonight.” His attention shifted to someone across the room. “Oh, hey. There’s Rabbit. I gotta catch up with him about an order at the shop.”

  No way in hell was he leaving halfway through the story. I stepped in front of him, blocking his path. “What did Naomi do to Zombie?”

  Wasp smirked. The motherfucker had finally drawn out my interest and he was clearly tickled about it. He really did need his ass beat.

  “What happened between you and Naomi last time she was in town?” he fired back.

  I wanted to wipe that smirk off his face so badly I had to grit my teeth and look away to restrain myself. “I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about, Wasp, but it doesn’t sound like any of your goddamn business.”

  He chuckled, shaking his head. “I’ll find out someday.”

  “Not likely. Talk.”

  “Naomi was already in a foul mood, and when Zombie grabbed her by the ankles and rolled her out from under the truck, she came up swinging. Clocked him across the shoulder with a wrench so hard I heard it in the bike department. When I came around the corner, Rabbit was lighting into him. He sent Zombie to have a little sit-down with Link. I don’t expect to see Zombie until the wedding. If Link lets him live that long. The Prez doesn’t play when it comes to his sister, but if you ask me… that girl can more than take care of herself.” He chuckled. “And I bet Zombie would agree.”

  Didn’t matter that Naomi could take care of herself. Hell, it took all my willpower not to go beat down the bastard’s door. And what had he done, really? Hit on her? Who could blame him? Still, I wanted to rip him in half for it.