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Again.
I rubbed my own chest where each and every tear she cried tore away a piece of my heart.
“She’s here because they’re joined at the hip,” someone grumpy muttered. “What the fuck did I expect?”
“You expected a night out where you can drink your sorrows away. Only, you had no clue that one of your sorrows would come through the door,” Quincy muttered.
I chanced a glance at the brothers and found Quinn glaring hard at his beer, a sheen of sweat running down his brow despite the cool night air around us. All of the other brothers were staring at him worriedly, as if the woman who just walked into the bar and hugged their sister was about to blow the world up around them.
Then I remembered a passing comment from Ande while we were on the phone. She’d told me about Shayne and Quinn’s past relationship, and how she thought they’d broken up because of who Shayne was related to.
They’re head over heels, hearts and souls, in love with each other. The only problem is, neither one of them can act on it. One’ll end up dead, while the other one will spend time in jail. It’s a lose-lose situation.
I glanced back toward the two women just as Ande pulled away, wiping her eyes. “I can’t believe you got here so fast.”
“I had Todd help me pack. And he’s going to ship our stuff home in one of those Pod things the moment he has a day off of work. He has a lot of college buddies who are willing to help him.” She paused, looking behind her in a quick glance, and winced. “I just wanted to come hug you. But friend, I’m so damn tired right now I feel like I’m about to die if I don’t head home.”
“Your brothers?” Ande asked.
Shayne’s eyes once again flicked toward Quinn. “Yeah.”
“Do you need a ride home?” Ande continued.
“Um, no.” She laughed a little at herself. “If there’s one person who’s safe in this city at night, in this particular area, it’s me.”
Ande didn’t say anything, just hugged her best friend one more time then announced, “At least come meet Keene before you go.”
That’s when the woman looked directly at me.
If I had to put a dangerous woman vibe into a physical body, it would be this one’s.
The Latina woman standing in front of me gave me Fast and Furious Lettie vibes, but with a softer face and body. She was beautiful, and deadly.
I only had to look at her for half a second to see she was a fighter, and that she’d do anything for her friend.
A look passed between the two of us as we acknowledged our protectiveness of the woman between us, and then I offered her my hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Shayne. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Solei ‘Shayne’ Rodriguez.” She took my hand and shook it. “It’s nice to finally put a face to the name.”
My lips quirked at that. “And as much as you’d like to walk yourself home, I’m going to have to refuse. We’re walking as well. You can walk with us.”
Shayne rolled her eyes, then turned to her friend. “You didn’t tell him who I am?”
I knew who she was.
At least, I knew what Ande had told me.
“Shayne here is the sister of the head of one of the biggest gangs in North Texas.” I heard one of the brothers reply from behind us. “He also considers himself to own this part of town. She’ll be safe.”
I flicked a look behind me to see that it was Quincy who answered.
“Well, if that’s the case, wouldn’t that just put a big target on your back?” I wondered. “Is that not a giant invitation for other gangs looking to piss off your brother’s gang?”
I knew nothing about gangs. But it seemed plausible.
“Something that we’ve been trying to get through that thick skull of hers for years.” Quinn stood up. “And I’ll be walking her home, so no need to go out of your way.”
Then he was gone, hooking his hand around Shayne’s upper bicep as he went.
