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"I hated you."
"And showed it by slashing my favorite jersey." He shook his head.
"I also punctured your ball."
"I wanted to strangle you for that."
"Then Mom and Dad intervened." She turned her face to look at him. "I am happy they did."
"It took a while for us to become a family, but we did." He kissed the tip of her nose. "I have to get going."
She almost sighed in relief that he was leaving before Deacon showed up. They were at the bottom step when they saw the headlights coming around the bend.
"Are you expecting someone?" He asked with a frown as he opened his door.
Her heart sank when the car swung into the drive. "Please don't freak out."
"Why? What's-" His voice trailed away when the man exited the vehicle. His gaze swung to her in understanding. "A little late for a business meeting, isn't it? But I am guessing that this is personal. What the hell are you doing?"
"We are just -" She bit her lip as Deacon strode towards them. "Mr. Manchester, I believe you already know my brother, David."
"Mr. Manchester?" David's lips twisted sardonically as he sized up the man. "Really?"
"I told her it was okay for her to call me by my first name in private."
"Is that so?" The two men had not shaken hands and were standing facing each other like boxers in a ring. "Well, here is something I want you to know.
Del is my sister, and I love her to death. I am a cop and very good at my job. I am also not impressed by how much money you have. Saying that to say if you hurt her, you damn well answer to me. Is that clear?"
"David-"
"As crystal." The deep baritone was glacial. "I might also point out that she is an adult, and what she does on her own time is of no concern to you."
"That's where you are wrong, Manchester." He turned to Delores and pulled her against him, kissed her on the lips before getting in. "Call me tomorrow." He ordered.
They watched as he drove out, and even when the taillights had disappeared, they still stood there. "I did not expect him." She murmured.
"You are close."
"Yes."
"He is not your brother by blood." He smiled grimly at her look of surprise. "I like to know who I am involved with and who they are linked to. A man in my position has to be careful."
"Of course." Her voice was rife with sarcasm as she turned and led the way up the steps, not caring if he had followed. Scooping up her beaded purse from the swing, she keyed in her code and opened the large, comfortable foyer door.
"Would you like a drink?"
"Scotch." He followed her into the bright and sunny yellow and white kitchen with modern appliances and a table tucked into one corner. There was an island in the center and stools surrounding it. "Nice."
She gestured to one of the stools and went to a cabinet to get his choice of liquor. "I hope Jack Daniels is okay. I am not a scotch person, but my brother is. And regardless of lack of blood ties, he is my brother."
"And a very protective one."
"He is. It works both ways." She handed him the drink and went to pour herself some Cabernet. "I was trying to get rid of him before you came."
"Will he be a problem?" Deacon's eyebrows lifted as he stared at her. He had felt it again, stirring something he would not identify as jealousy because that would be ridiculous.
"No." She said briefly.
