“Mom made my favorite for lunch,” Brett said.
“Steak?” Mike perked.
“No, happy shrimp.”
Mike frowned. “You’re allergic to shrimp.”
“I know. I was going to go talk to her, but . . .”
Mike shook his head. “Give me a few minutes and I’ll get this sorted. Why don’t you start up the grill, and I’ll see if I can get Lil to take a nap.” He took off toward the kitchen.
“Let’s go out the front,” Brett said, holding the door open for me. I cringed as I walked into a wall of heat. “Unless you’d rather wait inside where it’s cooler.”
“I’d rather be with you,” I said, ignoring the beads of sweat that were already forming on my skin.
I followed him around to the back of the house and onto a patio that looked more like an outdoor living space complete with a built-in grill. He led me to a cluster of thickly padded wicker chairs under a large umbrella.
“Why don’t you sit here,” he suggested.
“I can help.”
“It’s a gas grill. I’ll be done in a few seconds, and I’ll come sit with you.” He brushed the back of his hand lightly against my cheek. “You’ll burn to a crisp in this sun.”
“I burn to a crisp in any sun,” I said, taking a seat anyway. While Brett’s destiny looked like he would age well as the years drifted by, my destiny was to become a lobster. If I wasn’t blushing, I was burning.
I glanced over at the patio doors while Brett was busy with the grill. From a splash of sun filtering in through the windows, I could see parts of a kitchen and . . . I quickly averted my eyes. My heart squeezed tightly. Poor Lil. From the looks of it, Mike was doing his best to sooth his shaking, distraught wife.
They didn’t need me peeking in at them. I cleared my throat and focused on Brett, who seemed to be having problems with a lighter.
“Do you need help?” I asked.
“No, I think this lighter is dead. I’ll have to get another one from the kitchen.”
“I would wait a few minutes.”
“Why?” he asked but immediately understood as his gaze fell upon the window. He sighed and ran his hand over his face, but I saw the anguish before he wiped it away.
“Come sit with me,” I said, not knowing what else to say or do.
He plopped down next to me, the wicker chair suddenly looking delicate. “Come here,” he said, reaching a hand out.
I caught his offered hand and squeezed.
“Come here,” he repeated, pulling me to him.
“I’m not sitting on your lap,” I said. Although, by that time, I was already deposited on his lap with his arms firmly around my waist. “We’ll break the chair.”
“If it can hold my dad, it can hold us,” he said. “If not, I’ll buy a new one.”
His dad was big, but I doubted that he was the weight of both of us combined, especially since I still hadn’t lost those pesky extra pounds I’d been holding since . . . well, since forever. It was irritating. After being nearly killed several times, I’d have thought I’d be granted at least a few pounds loss by the scale gods. Several of those times involved running. And no money for food either. But not one pound gone.
“Why the frown?” Brett asked.
“No reason, but I doubt your dad is as heavy as us, even with all his muscles. What does he do, anyway? I figured construction. Am I right?”
Now it was Brett’s turn to frown, but I wasn’t sure why. “Yes, he and my uncle run a construction business together.”
“A family business? Did you ever work with them?”
“Enough times to learn, but also enough times to know it wasn’t for me.”
“So then you decided on law enforcement?” Which he no longer pursued thanks to a serial killer.
He nodded, but his frown remained. His arms tightened around me, pulling me further into him. When his forehead dropped onto my shoulder, I knew the time for talking was over. I cuddled in and ran my fingers through his short hair, down along his neck and back.
When I had first decided to come to Texas for the trial, I knew it was going to be hard. But I was only thinking of how seeing Annie would affect me. I hadn’t thought further than that. Brett was always so strong that I never once thought about how tough it would be for him.
I silently berated myself but stopped when I heard someone coughing. I shifted slightly to find a man coming around the side of the house. Brett groaned when he looked up. When I attempted to stand, Brett held me firmly in place.
“Stay,” he whispered.
I sat still, waiting for the man to make his way onto the patio. As he walked closer, I knew he had to be related. He was as muscular as Mike and as handsome as Brett, maybe even more so. Only a few years parted Brett and the newcomer, and I would have suspected they were brothers, but Brett had only had Eve as a sibling.
“Uncle Rand,” Brett muttered his greeting.
The man glanced at Brett, barely tilting his head in acknowledgement. His dark eyes flashed to me. “Is this Mars?”
I attempted to stand to shake his hand, but once again was tethered down by Brett’s arms. “Yes,” I answered, not bothering to struggle. “It’s nice to meet you.”
He scanned the length of me before giving a dismissive shrug and turning to walk away. When he disappeared through a tall wooden fence, Brett let out a long breath and loosened his hold.
“That’s your uncle?” I asked, wondering if I’d heard Brett right. “He’s . . .”
“A jerk.”
I wanted to agree, but really, I didn’t know the man and I didn’t think Brett needed the affirmation. “I was going to say he seems too young to be your uncle. I thought he was a brother at first.”
“I don’t have a brother.”
“I know.”
Brett sighed and dipped his head to my shoulder again. “He and my dad are fifteen years apart. Rand and I are only five years apart and were raised more like brothers than they were.”
“And yet you still call him uncle?”
Brett looked up. “It’s better than what I’d like to call him.”
I bit my lip to hold back the stream of questions. It didn’t seem as though Brett wanted to talk, and I wasn’t about to press. With the undeniable rift between them, it was only a matter of time before I figured it out for myself.
“What’s beyond the fence?” I asked, pointing to where Rand disappeared.
“A small house.”
“He lives here?”
Brett nodded. “He and Dad built it when Rand got divorced about a year ago.”
“Is that why he’s . . . cranky?”
“Promise me you’ll stay far away from him.”
“I don’t think that’s possible if he lives here.”
“Then promise never to be alone with him.”
I peered back at the fence, wondering again what had happened. But it didn’t matter. If Brett wanted me to stay away from his uncle, then I would. Rand’s greeting left much to be desired, and I wasn’t keen on being near him anyway.
“I promise.”
Brett smiled and leaned in.
I pushed back. “You can’t kiss me here. Your parents are right inside.”
“I think I’m old enough to kiss the woman I love wherever I want.”
Well, when he said it that way, who was I to argue. I wrapped my arm around his neck and dragged him into a kiss. When his tongue grazed mine, sending tingles down to my toes, I knew there were going to be many newspaper-induced bruises in the foreseeable future. But for now, we were clear.
Chapter 2
The rest of the day I spent with Brett. After a grilled lunch, Brett and I left so Lil could take a nap without worrying about entertaining us. Mike and Lil looked relieved but were too polite to agree with the decision and only voiced a small protest that was quickly put to rest when we promised we’d return with Chinese takeout for dinner.
“Where are we going?” I asked as Brett pulled out of the driveway.
“I thought we could drive around a bit and I could show you some of the sights. Then we have to head back to my place before we pick up dinner.”
“Oh, did you forget something there?”
He smiled wickedly. “There are so many things I forgot to do.”
His words were not lost on me. I returned his smile. “I’m happy to help in any way I can.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
“My pleasure.”
“Should we start the tour at my place?”
“I think that would be a great place to start.”
Brett turned the next corner, accelerating through the turn.
What was wrong with me? I was in a new state and yet the only thing I truly wanted to tour was Brett’s inspiring body. It was no wonder I knew hardly anything about the man. I was too busy stripping him out of his nicely fitted jeans.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. Since we were close to Brett’s apartment, I thought about ignoring it, but with Brandy staying at my house, Mrs. Janowski on the loose, and my dad on the road with the Comets, I didn’t want to miss a possible emergency call.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Hi, Mars, it’s Brandy.”
“Hi, Brandy. How are you settling in?”
“Great. Thank you for letting me stay here until the Comets come back.”
“It’s no problem. I’m glad you’re able to stay and help Hank. Have you heard from him?”
“I’m about to head over to the Hog now, but I wanted to let you know that a package arrived for you.”
“Oh, I wasn’t expecting anything. Do you know who it’s from?”
“I couldn’t find a return address on it.”
“That’s okay. Just stick it in a corner for me, and I’ll take a look when I get back. It’s probably just promotional material I had requested when I worked for Jocelyn.”
“Okay, I’ll put it near the door and add your mail as it comes.”
“Perfect. I feel much better knowing you’re around to keep an eye on things.”
“It’s no problem. I’ve already seen Mrs. Janowski and the other ladies.”
“Please tell me they’re behaving themselves.”
Brett turned into his driveway and pulled into the garage.
“Oh, the ladies are coming up with a mission statement for their new biker brigade. It’s been very . . . interesting to listen in on.”
I chuckled, knowing exactly how interesting it could be listening to the gals as they bicker about every little detail.
Brett turned off the car and motioned for me to follow him upstairs. I nodded and opened the door.
“Just make sure that whatever they do doesn’t involve weapons.”
“Weapons?” she choked.
“When it comes to Mrs. J., all household items can become weapons.”
Brett walked around the car and took the phone from my hand. “Hey, Brandy, it’s Brett. Call T if the ladies become unmanageable. Mars and I are about to start a tour.” He smiled. “Oh, yes, I’ll tell her. Bye.”
Brett ended the call and handed back the phone.
“What did she say?” I asked.
“To enjoy your tour,” he said, his devious smile returning.
“I’m sure I will.” I couldn’t even muster indignation at his taking over my phone. I knew he wouldn’t have done it if it had been a serious conversation. And the fact that he was just as impatient as I was made my heart swell just a little bit more. “Does this tour start now?”
He tugged my hand, pulling me up the stairs into his apartment. “There’s a dress code on this tour.”
“And what would that be?” I asked, trying not to giggle at his eagerness or mine. “My suitcase is at your parents’ house.”
“It won’t be needed.” He turned to me, his hands skimming down my arms until he reached the hem of my shirt. He drew it up and over my head, tossing it onto the couch. His appreciative eyes lit. “I remember seeing you in this,” he said as his fingers drifted along the satin cut of my bra.
“That’s because you confiscated it this morning after I put it on.”
His eyes twinkled. “Did I?”
I nodded.
“What else did I do?” His voice teased.
Heat crept up my neck as he waited for my answer. I was tongue tied, my answer trapped in my throat. I knew exactly what naughty things he did this morning, but to speak them out loud was . . . God, my face must be glowing red. I didn’t think I was a prude, but . . .
“Mars,” he whispered, kissing my neck, “what else did I do?”
I felt his smile as he continued up my neck to my ear.
“I don’t remember,” I lied. “Perhaps you should remind me.”
“It was only a few hours ago. Pleading memory loss?”
“Yes. How can I remember anything when you kiss me?”
The trail his heated kiss blazed left me wobbly, clinging to him. I’d never felt such a reaction while with a man. Briefly, Evan’s handsome, blue-eyed face flickered in my mind. Yes, he had caused similar sensations. But with Brett, it was intensified. As if his touch was magnetic, electric, even magnified. And when it was gone, his touch left a mark, a branding that made me realize that my unguarded heart was no longer mine. He owned it, and that was frightening and exhilarating. I just hoped his love, while seemingly strong, would reflect the same startling amount as mine. Only the future would tell, and it wasn’t something I was prepared to think too much about. At least not now. Not when the Sledgehammer trial was mere days away.
“What’s wrong, sweet thing?” Brett’s brows furrowed in concern, his fingers gently tilting my face up.
“Nothing.”
“It’s not nothing.”
“I just became distracted.”
“While I was kissing you?” he asked with a disbelieving tone.
I guess I’d have a hard time believing it too. He was a skilled kisser, and I could still feel the sensation of his lips on my skin. But, somehow, a serial killer trumped. It was probably the same reason Lil was about to feed her son a dish that would land him in the hospital.
“I’m sorry.” I didn’t know what else to say. It’s not that he needed the apology, but what would I tell him instead?
Placing a kiss on my forehead, he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a hug that made me feel protected, cherished. There was a softness in his eyes as he eased away. “Come,” he said, slipping my shirt back over my head.
I shrugged the rest of the way in and followed him back down to the garage. “Where are we going?”
“You were thinking of the Sledgehammer again, weren’t you?”
I frowned. “Sorry. It had nothing to do with your kiss. She just popped in there.”
He nodded. “I think she’ll be a constant pest these next few weeks.”
“I’ll feel much better once she’s sentenced. With so much evidence against her, I pray they’ll keep her locked away forever.”
“I don’t see how it could be any other way,” he said, though there was some unease in his voice.
As soon as we were back in the car and on the road, I asked again where we were headed.
“We’ve only been on a proper date once,” he said. “And I’m not sure it was even all that proper.”
“Are you taking me out on a date?”
He smiled. “Well, don’t get too excited. It’s spur of the moment, and you might think it’s lame.”
I didn’t see how that was possible. Anything that involved Brett could never be considered lame.
A few minutes later, he pulled into a movie theater and parked in a spot close to the door. With it being a workday, there were plenty of spots available.
“A movie.” I stated the obvious.
“It’s hot out, and I thought you could use a diversion.”
“Not that you’re not diversion enough, but a movie sounds perfect.”
He smiled and took my hand as we walked into the cool theater.
Really, this was perfect. A couple of hours reprieve from thinking.
After he paid for the tickets, he asked, “Do you want popcorn?”
I shook my head. “Lunch left me more than satisfied.”
A smirk lifted the corner of his mouth. “Pity. That’s my job.”
* * *
My fingers trailed the shelves and surfaces of Brett’s old room. It had to be nearly untouched from when Brett had left home over a decade ago. It was a treasure of Brett’s past. Things that helped shape who he had become. Model cars—Vipers like the one he currently drove—lined one shelf. A Nerf air rifle sat in the corner. A few bobblehead knickknacks stared at me from the worn dresser.
Now that it was nighttime and Brett had left, I was able to peruse at my leisure. I felt like a thief while I poked through his abnormally large stash of yo-yos. And while I didn’t steal anything, I did capture memory remnants that filled the room. They wrapped around me like a soft blanket.
A knock on the door scattered the remnants, tucking them back into the past.
“Come in,” I called.
“It’s just me, dear,” Lil said, peeking around the door. She widened it when she saw I was still out of bed. “I just wanted to check on you and see if you needed anything.”
“I should be fine, thank you.”
She nodded and stood at the door as though a little lost. “I’m very sorry about what happened earlier. I don’t know what came over me. I can’t believe I nearly served Brett shrimp. He could have died.”
“You don’t have to apologize. We’re all stressed about the upcoming trial. You must have had Eve on your mind when you made the shrimp.”
“She’s always on my mind,” Lil said, her voice tired. “Always.”
I nodded. Although I had no experience of how devastating her loss was, I knew it had to be the worst sort of hell imaginable. A person never truly gets over a loss like that. I suppose they learn to carry on. One foot in front of the other.
“Well, if it makes you feel any better, you wouldn’t have harmed Brett. He knows better than to eat shrimp, even if you did serve it to him.”
A small smile appeared, lightening the burden from Lil’s face. “That’s true.”
Biker Brigade Page 2