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“You seem a little calmer than when we left,” Slater said. “You good with this, Beck?” he asked pointing between him and Rainey. She felt as though she was holding her breath waiting for her sister to answer Slater.
“Knox and I have talked about it, and I think that I am,” she admitted.
“Good,” Slater said. “That will make my next question a little easier to ask.”
“Shoot,” Knox said.
“I’ll need nights off from here on out,” Slater said. Beck looked between Rainey and him and her smile faded.
“You’re going to be spending the night with my sister, aren’t you?” Beck sounded as if she was accusing Slater of some wrongdoing, but Rainey didn’t care. This was her choice and between Slater and her.
“That’s not your business Beck,” Rainey challenged. Her sister shot her a look and she instantly felt bad for what she said.
“I’ll make sure that you all are covered for the night. I’ll get Jax to start staying here at night,” he offered. “It’s time that we gave him some more responsibility. I know he’s a new hire, but I can vouch for him personally—he’s damn good at what he does.”
“You don’t have to sell me on Jax,” Knox said. “I already know he’s a good guy and I’ve read his military background—he’s more than qualified to keep my family safe. You can take the nights off, but I’ll need you at the casino by nine, sharp,” Knox said. Rainey knew that Slater didn’t just handle their security, but also the security for both of the casinos that Knox and Ace owned.
“Thanks, man,” Slater said. “I’ll meet you at the casino, no problem.”
“Then, we’re good,” Knox assured. Rainey could feel her sister mean-mugging her and she wanted to tell her to cut it out. Her little sister could hold a grudge and she knew that if they didn’t work things out now, they’d have problems later.
“We need to talk,” Rainy said to her sister. “Privately.” Beck nodded and grabbed her sister’s hand, leading her back to the kitchen.
“Should we worry about that?” Rainey heard Slater ask.
“Nope,” Knox said. “Happens all the time. They’re sisters and you’re going to have to just get used to them.”
Beck pulled her into the kitchen and pointed to the barstool. “Sit,” she ordered.
“You know, for being the little sister, you sure are bossy,” Rainey grumbled, sitting in the stool as her sister ordered.
“What the hell is going on here,” Beck asked. “I’d love to think that you haven’t become just a booty call. You’re better than that,” her sister chided.
“I know that,” Rainey said. “And this isn’t about being a booty call. You need to remember that I have four kids and have to make a date night any way that I can. I want to spend time with Slater, and I’ve given him a key to my house. That way, he can sneak in after the kids are asleep.”
“You’ve lost your mind,” Beck said. “What if they wake up and need you?”
“Then, I’ll deal with it, but I’m not ready to introduce Slater as my—um, well, whatever he is,” Rainey said.
“You don’t even know what he is to you?” Beck asked. “I mean, are you two serious?”
“Um, yes,” Rainey squeaked. It sounded more like she was asking than telling her sister.
“After one night together, you’re serious?” Beck asked.
“You’re one to talk,” Rainey accused. “You spent just one night with Knox, and he practically moved you into this penthouse, if you remember correctly.”
“I remember,” her sister spat. “But we also had a crazy woman stalking us, forcing me to move in here. You don’t have anyone threatening your life or anything,” Beck said, “so, why the hurry?”
Rainey wasn’t sure how to explain what she was feeling for Slater. She knew that her sister would understand if anyone would. “You saw what my life was like after Jack died,” Rainey said. “I was lost for so long and then, I had to pull it together and take care of not only myself but all four kids. I had a newborn who would never meet her father. It taught me that life is just too short to sit back and coast. I see something I want—or in this case, someone I want, and I go for it. I’m not wasting any time with Slater—I want him, Beck,” she whispered.
“Oh Rainey,” Beck said. She pulled her sister from the stool and wrapped her arms around her. “I get it now. I’m sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about, Sis,” Rainey said. “I’m just done waiting for life to deliver, you know. I’m ready to do something for me—and I want that something to be hanging out with Slater—however I can get him.”
“I feel the same way about you, Rain,” Slater said from the hallway. “I didn’t mean to overhear, but I thought you’d want to know that Ella has to go potty.” Her toddler was potty training and when she said she had to go, she meant it.
“Thanks,” Rainey said.
