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“You’re lucky,” he said.
“If you want to consider it that,” she joked.
“No, you are. Take it from someone who has no one.”
Allison’s heart tightened and cracked. This man had always been a pillar of stoicism, and now she wondered if it was just a wall he hid behind to hide the fact that he was alone in the world.
She rested her hand on his arm and gave it a squeeze. “You have me,” she said. “Even if I am a royal pain in your ass.” His lip quirked, and she silently celebrated. “Now come on. It’s time I introduce you to my dad and his ribs.”
Chapter 16
Reid couldn’t remember the last time he was so full, but Geoff Winters knew how to cook a rib. The man was a genius behind the grill. If he hadn’t peeled himself away from the table where the plate sat in front of him, taunting him for just another bite, he would have given in over and over again.
He also needed distance from Allison. The more time he spent with her, the more he… liked her. He’d always kept her at a distance, never crossing the boundaries he had set in place all those years ago when they had first met. Being around her lately and watching her amongst her family, he needed to be careful because she was the kind of woman who could turn his entire world upside down with a single smile.
Xan walked up to him with two beers in hand. He offered him one and normally he’d turn it down, but he wasn’t on the clock, and one beer for a man his size would be out of his system in an hour.
“Thanks.” Reid accepted the beer and used his bottle opener key chain to pop the top. He didn’t like a lot of junk on his keys, but this keychain came in handy.
Xan tipped his bottle to his mouth and took a sip. “Are you dating my sister?” he asked and lowered the bottle.
“No.” Reid didn’t even hesitate. He and Allison were far from dating. Hell, they only just barely started tolerating each other even if he could imagine her on his couch, in his bed and at his table in the morning.
“Good, because I didn’t want to threaten a cop.” Xan took another swig from his beer. “But don’t think I wouldn’t.”
“It’s admirable how you care about her.”
“She’s my sister, of course I do. They drive me fucking nuts, and as kids I wanted to kill them more than not, but truth be told, Luna, Allison and Sammy are more than sisters. They were my first friends, first enemies, first coconspirators. And as much as it pains me to admit, they know me better than anyone. It’s kind of nice having people who will call you on your bullshit.”
“Not to discredit the bond you have with Allison, but your sister seems to do that with everyone.”
Xan barked out a laugh. “I like you. Not many people can see through Allison’s charm.”
“Oh trust me, she doesn’t waste her charm on me.”
Xan tipped his beer bottle toward Reid. “That, my friend, is where you’re mistaken. If anything, she amps it up around you, which is why I thought you two might be dating.”
Reid looked across the yard until his eyes settled on Allison. She was talking with her sisters and she threw her head back in a laugh, exposing the silky tanned skin of her neck. Her face lit up, eyes filled with amusement, and she’d never looked more beautiful.
God, if something were to happen to her. They may not have always gotten along, but somewhere along the way, she’d become a permanent fixture in his life. And not like a door handle or a light switch, more like a beautiful piece of art he handpicked to be in his space. She was special, and that was why he needed to protect her at all costs. Even if it meant going against her wishes.
“There is no barbeque story,” he said.
“So you are dating?”
“No. I’m here because Allison has been getting threats in the mail and most recently had one handed to her at the fairgrounds.”
Xan’s head snapped to him, and he stepped in front of Reid, blocking his view of Allison. “She told you not to say anything?”
“I argued with her, but she’s—” Reid shook his head.
“A stubborn pain in the ass who thinks it’s no big deal.”
“Bingo.”
“Honest opinion. Do you think she’s in danger?”
“I don’t know. The threats aren’t what I would consider mild. This person seems to know her schedule and really wants to scare her.”
