“Don’t mind. Right, Allie?”
She shook her head. “No, I don’t mind.”
Army rested his weight on one knee. “Del? You gonna say hi or what? Didn’t miss me?”
She smiled widely, walked to him, and hugged him. “Hi, Ty.”
Army released her, stood, then winked at her. A second later, he met his gaze. “Meet you at the bikes.” He strode away.
He closed the distance between himself and Allie. “Thanks for getting her. Thanks for watching her, and thanks for staying.”
She fidgeted, looking away from him. “It’s no big deal.”
He hated she couldn’t stand to look at him, hated he’d made it that way. Pushing those thoughts aside, he concentrated on the positive. At least she was speaking to him. “It is to me, so thank you.”
She smiled, a sad smile. “You’re welcome.”
He looked at Della. “Be back soon, Del.” He then forced himself to walk away.
Outside, he hopped on his bike and headed for his sister’s apartment, steeling himself for what he’d find.
His sister, Tina, had been a good, sweet kid. They’d lived in a trailer with an alcoholic mother and a drug-addicted father, so it’d fallen on him to care for her. He did, never minded it. When their dad left, it was a relief and a curse. They no longer had to worry about their father beating the shit out of them, but their mother hit the bottle night and day, more so than before. As the years passed, she only got worse.
By the time he was fifteen, his mother spent all her money on booze, so he’d gotten a part-time job after school because Tina needed to eat.
When he graduated from high school, he made the biggest decision of his life. He needed a job that paid better, his grades weren’t getting him into college, and even if they could, he couldn’t afford it. He joined the United States Army. He hated leaving his eleven-year-old sister with their mother, but it was his chance to get Tina out of a trailer and away from their mother for good. He spent four years in the military. He called and wrote her as often as he could. He sent her money, and he spent his leave with her. After his four years ended, the country was still at war. Tina seemed to be holding her own with his monetary help, so he reenlisted, two additional years.
While away, Tina met a boy and got pregnant at sixteen. By the time Trig got back two years later, the father was long gone. Tina was seventeen with a five-month-old and hitting the bottle. He did what he could—got her out of the shithole trailer, helped her with Della, and made sure she got the help she needed.
She’d relapsed twice, and Della had borne witness to it once. It was never pretty. It tore his heart in two. She was his baby sister, and he knew, in a way, he was to blame.
Arriving outside the apartment building in ten minutes, he parked his bike, headed upstairs, and then opened the door with his key. The living room was small, a couch, a TV. Everything impeccably clean, so unlike the times she was on a binge, a good sign. He walked past the living room and into the kitchen. It, too, was clean, and there were no empty bottles. Another good sign.
He headed into her room, parted the door, and peeked inside. There, he found her, sleeping soundlessly, her dark hair sprawled across the pillow where her head lay. Dark circles underneath her eyes. Her phone beside her. He neared the bed, grabbed her phone. On silent. No wonder.
Instantly, relief mingled with guilt. He thought the worst, thought she’d gone back to her old ways when she’d just overslept. Anyone who knew her would get that. She worked full-time and attended college part-time. With a five-year-old, it meant she practically never slept.
He sighed heavily, running his fingers through his hair, and pressed a kiss to her forehead. She blinked, then shot up in bed. He managed to pull away before her head collided with his.
“Oh, shit! What time—”
He placed his hands on her shoulders to still her. “Got Della. She’s good.”
She glanced at the clock on her bedside table. Her face fell; her eyes watered. “I’m a horrible mother.”
“You aren’t a horrible mother. You overslept, and you overslept ’cause you’re overworked, and fuckin’ exhausted.”
She shook her head. “I bet you thought I’d started drinking again.”
He exhaled. “Terrified you were, but it doesn’t matter. You aren’t.”
Tears effortlessly spilled down her cheeks. “Della’s probably scared, too,” she whispered.
The sight pained him. He rubbed the tears away. “It was more than a year ago.”
“Yeah, J, but she remembers. I know she does. The way she looks at me sometimes, I k-know.” Her voice cracked.
“You had a problem. You toughed it out—”
“I’ve relapsed before. You know—”
“It’s in the past, Tina. You can’t think about it. You can’t think about the mistakes. It’ll only lead you where you don’t wanna go.”
She nodded. “Where is she? Is she upset?”
“She’s with Allie.”
“Allie?”
“Yeah, Army’s sister.”
“Right, I remember. Del mentioned her. Said she’s very pretty.”
No, she was fucking beautiful, but he couldn’t admit that.
She wiped her face and stood. “I should go get her.”
Army appeared at the threshold to the room. “Naw, called Allie. She’s on her way.”
Tina’s gaze shot to Army. She flushed. “Hi, Army, sorry to have inconvenienced you and Allie.”
“Not an inconvenience. Allie loves kids.”
She shrugged. “Well, thanks.”
“Listen, you need me to watch Della a couple more times a week?”
His sister looked at him, shaking her head. “J, please, don’t. I’m her mother. She’s my responsibility, and you already do—”
“Tina,” he said in a tone she wouldn’t take lightly. “She’s my niece. I love her. I’m the only male figure she’s got—”
“J, don’t fucking start with this shit,” she snapped. “I appreciate everything you do, but she’s not your kid. I know I’m a fuck up, but taking her away—”
“Fuck, Tina.” He threw his hands up in the air. “Will you just fuckin’ listen to me? You’re not a fuck-up. I’d never take her away from you. I admire you. You’ve never taken the easy way out. You could’ve had an abortion. You could’ve put her up for adoption. Yet you fuckin’ kept her, you fuckin’ care for her and love her. You’re overworking yourself to pay for school and working overtime to get it done. Why can’t you fuckin’ let me help you?”
She reared back, her eyes widening. “You pay half my rent and leave money in my wallet. You take Della almost every Saturday while I’m at work, and during the week you drop by at least three times, often, with groceries. Please explain to me how I’m not letting you help me?”
“I pay half your rent ’cause you refuse to live with me. For the same fuckin’ reason, I drop by three times a fuckin’ week and buy groceries.”
“J—”
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t fuckin’ give me any more lip, Tina. You know that shit pisses me off.”
Looking away from him, she pinched the bridge of her nose. “I love you, J. You’ve always taken care of me, but it’s time for me to grow up, handle things myself. You do plenty, and I thank God every night for you, but you can’t do more than you already are. She isn’t your kid.”
He had enough of this conversation. “You’ve been a grown up for six years, Tina, and you’re only twenty-one. You should be partying with friends, living on a college campus somewhere, going out on dates and living life, yet you’re raising a kid by yourself, working two jobs, taking courses online. I’m twenty-nine, and I’m a man, and I’m your fuckin’ brother, so you’re gonna take the help I give you, and you aren’t gonna give me lip about how she isn’t my kid.”
“They’re my mistakes, J. I don’t regret them. They gave me Della, and she’s my baby. I love her, but she’s a kid and kids are hard work. Thi
s is my burden,” she whispered, her eyes trailing away from his.
Shit. He hated that’s what she thought, so fucking far from the truth. His fault. If only he’d been there, if he’d never left…
He lifted her chin with his finger until her eyes met his. Shaking his head, he corrected, “My mistakes. Should’ve been here.”
Her eyes widened and welled. He hugged her before they trailed down her face. “You’ve been here. Always.”
His heart clenched. He kissed the top of her head. “Love you, too, kid.”
****
Allie arrived at the apartment building, a ten-minute drive from the compound and parked in an empty guest spot. She helped Della out of the back of her black Camaro, relieving her of her book bag, and took a deep breath, bracing to see Jace again. She hadn’t been prepared the first time, so she had little hope she’d be prepared this time, but a girl could hope.
After days without a glimpse, she’d forgotten what the flutter in her stomach felt like, how it intensified with every passing second. She’d forgotten how handsome he was. His broad shoulders and muscled arms, his so rugged, striking, and pronounced features. She’d forgotten his rough voice and her reaction to it.
Walking into the elevators, she pressed the third floor. Della led her to the apartment. They knocked and waited. A moment later, an older version of Della parted the door. Her gaze glued to Della. The woman, who had to be Jace’s sister and Della’s mother, was younger than her and beautiful like Della, same dark hair, eyes, and soft smile.
The brunette kneeled and embraced Della. “Baby, I missed you so much.”
“I missed you too, Mommy.”
“So sorry, sweetie. I overslept.”
The brunette, still holding Della close, stood and met her gaze. “Hi.” She held out her hand. “I’m Tina. J’s sister.”
She shook her hand and smiled. “I’m Allie, Tyler’s sister.”
“It’s nice to meet you. Della’s told me nice things about you. Please come in.” Tina took several steps away from the door allowing her in.
“Oh, I…I should—”
“Allie, come in,” Tyler shouted from inside. Not a second later, he walked into the living room and met her gaze. “Ordered pizza.”
She cursed, silently. She didn’t want to see Jace, really didn’t want to share dinner with him either, but from her brother’s tone, it wasn’t a request. She didn’t want to fight him in front of Della and Tina. Having no other choice, she nodded and headed inside.
“Thanks so much for picking up Della. I fell asleep. My phone was on silent, and well…I’m sorry to have inconvenienced you. I don’t—”
Allie placed her hand on her arm. “It’s okay. Della and I had a great time. I may have spoiled her appetite though. Took her for some ice cream after school.”
Tina laughed softly, shrugging. “That’s okay. J does it all the time. Please have a seat.”
She looked around the small living room that led into a dining room and kitchen. It was nicely decorated, not expensively but homey. She took a seat on the couch, placed Della’s book bag at her feet, and rested her folded hands on her lap.
Tina sat across from her in a chair and hauled Della on her lap, hugging her. “It’s time for homework.”
“I already did it. Allie helped me. I need you to sign it.”
Tina looked at Allie, smiling. “Thank you.” She turned her attention to Della. “Let me have a look.”
Della reached for her book bag, pulled out her homework assignment, and handed it to her mother.
Tina scanned the assignment then signed it. “So, you recently moved here?” She handed Della her homework. Della placed it in her book bag, then rushed out of the room.
“Yeah, from New York.”
“Big city, never been. Is it like the movies?”
She laughed. “I suppose.”
“Always wondered what it’d be like,” Tina replied. “You know…you look familiar. I guess you just have one of those faces.”
She flushed. Feeling the heat of her brother’s eyes, she ignored him. “That’s probably because you saw me on the news.”
Tina’s eyes widened.
She shrugged. “It’s kind of a long story, but when I left, my former fiancé reported me missing, so…”
“Oh…sorry, I didn’t mean to pry or…”
She smiled. “No need to apologize. I volunteered the information.”
Jace walked into the room. She couldn’t help it. She looked in his direction. His eyes met hers and held for a moment before she forced herself to look away.
“So what do you do, Allie?”
Thankful for the distraction, she said, “I work at the daycare center off Main Street.”
“Oh, so you know Tiffany?”
She smiled. “Yes.”
“We went to school together. We were pretty close in high school, but since then we’ve drifted apart. With a kid, you know, doesn’t leave much time to hang out with friends, priorities change and well…We’re still friends. We just don’t hang out like we used to.”
“Well, if you ever need a sitter, I’m available. I love kids, and Della’s a great kid.”
Tina smiled. “Thanks.”
“Food’ll be here in a few.” Her brother headed into the dining room and took a seat. Jace followed suit.
“Are you going to the cookout? It’d be nice to know another person there who’s unattached.”
“The cookout?”
“Yeah, she’s coming,” Tyler said.
She looked at her brother, narrowing her eyes. “It’s funny you should say that considering this is the first I hear about a cookout.”
Tina’s eyes twinkled with amusement.
“I was gonna pick you up on Sunday and take you,” Tyler said, nonchalantly.
She schooled her features and forced herself to soften her voice. “What if I have plans?”
Tyler, looking confounded, stood. “What’s the big deal?”
The big deal? She didn’t want to go anywhere Jace would be. More than likely, the cookout was a club event. If this cookout was like their Friday Night Fiascos, she could potentially catch Jace, who she wanted to avoid, in the act again.
“Ty, I don’t even know what the cookout is.”
“The club has a cookout once a month. It’s Sunday, and you’re coming ’cause I’m picking you up.”
She’d been right. A club event, which meant Jace would be there. She didn’t want to go. “What if I have plans?”
He lifted a brow and crossed his arms over his chest. “Do you?”
“That’s not really the point.”
“Don’t matter—”
“Tyler—”
“Allie, why are you riling me?” He had the nerve to look abashed.
“Why are you riling me?”
Tina’s laughter filled the room.
She glanced at her and couldn’t help but smile. “Does he boss you around like this, too?”
“No, but I have a stubborn brother, too. I’m quite familiar with these arguments. I have to admit it’s funny when someone else is being bossed, not me.”
She could see that, so she smiled. “Jace does this to you often?”
“Yeah, and there’s no use fighting it. These stubborn men always get their way.”
“Why are you talking about us like we’re not here?” Ty asked.
Allie’s gaze shot to her brother. Mocking anger, she smirked. “Because we’re ignoring you.”
He let out an exasperated sigh, threw his hands in the air then took a seat. “Don’t get what the big deal is.”
“The big deal is you can’t… Never mind.” Tina had a point. No matter how many times she explained, he wouldn’t understand. Still, it peeved her. “I may decide to go on a road trip Sunday.”
Tyler shot out of his chair. “I won’t let you leave.”
Jace’s gaze shot to Ty. He tensed.
“Oh, yeah? How do you plan to do that?”
/> “Easy. I’ll sleep on your couch.”
Damn. He could even if she didn’t let him in. When she moved in, she gave him a key. “I’ll change the locks.”
His hands turned to fists. He clenched his jaw. She grinned.
“Allie.” He pronounced each syllable, his tone firm.
“Fine, I’ll go, but I’m not going because you want me to. I’m going for Tina.” His narrowed eyes didn’t soften, so she smiled and added, “There’s a big teddy bear underneath that temper.”
He fought a smile for several moments, and suddenly, he burst out laughing. “Don’t say that in front of the guys.”
She turned to Tina, whose mouth hung open. Tina shook her head. “Can’t believe it. Never seen that…” Her eyes filled with glee. “You’re amazing, and you have to teach me how to do that.”
“Shit,” Jace muttered under his breath.
Her smile widened. “I’ll teach you everything I know.”
Chapter Twelve
Allie dreaded the cookout for no apparent reason. Jace would be there, but apparently the sexually liberated women wouldn’t, or so she heard from Mia and Lynn. Despite having moved, they remained her allies.
She hadn’t told them about her encounter with Jace, but they knew something happened. Mia told her the next day Jace had been looking for her. Mia, smart and borderline psychic, knew something happened. Luckily, she hadn’t pushed for details. Luckily, because Allie couldn’t force herself to repeat it.
When Tyler showed up at her apartment Sunday, she attempted to hide her nerves, the best she could. Of course, though, her brother, being smart and in tune to her, sensed it.
“Allie, you gonna tell me what’s up?”
She walked past him. “Nothing.”
He gripped her elbow, tugging her around. “I’m not stupid, Allie. I notice shit, and I sense shit, too, probably the reason I’m still alive. So I know some shit’s going on, and I wanna know what it is. One of the guys make you feel uncomfortable?”
She hated lying to brother, hated being put in the position to lie to him, but she would. Tyler and Jace were close, closer than he was with any of the other guys. It had something to do with them serving together, and she wasn’t willing to risk their friendship because of her.
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