“I guess I’m ready,” Daphne announced, coming back into the room. She’d taken her hair down from the messy updo that she had it in, put on a clean pair of jeans and a deep green silky looking shirt that matched her eyes. It buttoned up the front but left a deep V that teased the cleavage of her full breasts. The fabric made my fingers itch, wanting to see which was softer—her skin or the shirt. I was pretty sure which one would win.
“You look gorgeous, Sis,” Cap says. I want to say that and more, but I swallow the words down, reminding myself that she’s married.
“Where are we going?” she asks.
My lips quirk a little. “That place with the bounce houses and play areas for Cammie.”
Her eyes go big. “Do you know what it’s like to have a five-year-old running loose in that place?”
“I guess I’ll find out. I hear their pizza is pretty good.”
“It’s decent,” she admits, worrying her hands together.
“Good, let’s get going. I got some time to make up with my niece,” Cap says.
“Like she won’t prefer me, Cap.”
“I’m not above bribery,” he quips, making me laugh.
I stand up and immediately Daphne goes to pick up Cammie. Cammie lets her but reaches her arms up for me. I laugh and pull her into my chest. “Seems she’s already spoken, Cap,” I joke.
“Why do you call him Cap?” Daphne asks, and I do my best to ignore the tightening in my heart when her attention is solely on me.
“He was my Captain in the military. It just stuck,” I explain.
“You two were in service together?” she asks, clearly shocked.
“Remember five years ago? When one of my men took a bullet for me while pushing me out of the way?”
I gasp. “That was you?” she says looking at me with shock and something else I can’t define. It makes me feel a little uncomfortable.
“It’s not that big of a deal,” I mutter. “We better get a move on.”
“Liar, it was a fuck of a big deal,” Cap argues. “You took a bullet for me. Hell, it ended your career.”
“Drew! Language!” Daphne scolds.
It breaks the moment up and I breathe a little easier as I lead the way out to my truck. I do my best to ignore how great it feels to buckle Cammie into the car seat that I took out of Daphne’s Kia Sportage—that had definitely seen better days. Then, I ignored the way I liked her sitting in the passenger seat beside me. I doubt Cap would have liked the other ideas that floated through my mind. If he had any inkling, he wouldn’t have jumped in the back for his chance to get Cammie to like him more than me. As I pulled out of the driveway, I made myself a promise that no matter how long I had to wait, or what I had to do, this wouldn’t be the last time Daphne rode shotgun in my truck.
Not by a long shot.
Chapter 5
Drew
Years of lifein the military have made me very cautious. I do my best to be aware of everything around me. That makes it easy to see the change in Pez. He’s looking at my sister like she holds his balls in her hand. That thought makes me grin. I can’t be here, but he can. He can help Daphne. I don’t know what the fuck is going on, but I know she’s about as low as a woman can get. I also see the way she keeps glancing at Pez and nervously tucking her hair behind her ear. I can work with the way the two of them react to each other. I want the best for my little sister and that’s something the idiot she married never tried to give her. He was a waste of space from day one, but she wouldn’t listen to me when I tried to tell her. Now, I just need to find out what he did to break my little sister’s spirit. Then, I’m going to make sure I keep Pez connected to her. Pez is one of the best men I know. I owe him a debt that I could never repay. I know he’s been through hell with his ex. He needs a good woman and my sister? She’s that and more. Plus, she needs a man who will always have her back and protect her. She’s never had that—especially since our father jumped the ship. I’m not a matchmaker, but I think it’s about time I tried my hand at it.
“Okay, sis. Cammie’s asleep. It’s time for you to spill,” I murmur quietly as the silence in the cab echoes around us.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Drew,” she denies at once, but I hear the way her voice trembles.
“You can tell me now, or I’ll stay on you until you finally let it spill. Now would be a better choice cause Cam is asleep,” I say as I turn sideways in the passenger seat so I can carefully watch my sister.
“I don’t think this is the right time to talk about it, Drew. Maybe we can talk when we’re alone.”
“You’re safe here. Pez is like my brother. He wouldn’t say a word to betray us, especially you or Cammie. He’s going to be here to look over you when I can’t.”
I can see Pez look at me. I can actually feel his penetrating stare. My lips spread into a half smile. His gaze turns to look at me. He gives a slight nod. That’s the only proof I need. He may not be able to right now, but Pez is drawn to my sister. Given the fact that Pez hasn’t ever been a ladies man, plus he hasn’t looked at a woman since that bitch Nora ripped his heart out, I know what that means. I like that Pez isn’t shying away from it. He and I will need to talk sooner than later, but for now I know enough to know he’ll watch over my girls when I go back to the base.
