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“Pop?” His jaw clenched, and she could see him grinding his teeth. His patience seemed to be teetering.
Again, Jack didn’t even acknowledge him. Marissa nibbled on her lip, wondering if she should intervene. This was a family matter, nothing that involved her. But his son obviously was losing his patience. Asshole. If he came at Jack physically, she’d call 911. Stranger or not, she was not going to let anyone hurt him.
“Where’s your fucking car, Pop?” His son leaned in closer, giving Marissa a better look. Strong jawline, currently clenched. Dark eyes, possibly brown or even black. To match his heart. His bone structure was overly pronounced, his skin slightly weathered and tan. If she had to guess, most women would have found him attractive. Marissa did not.
“All right, Kase, back up, man.”
Marissa’s gaze flickered past the man looming in front of them. Kase. His other son, she presumed the second voice, pulled back on his brother’s arm and replaced his position in front of their father.
Oh! Marissa pursed her lips to keep from smiling. It was a reactionary response, completely out of her control.
While he looked similar with his features, this son was much softer. His cheekbones were high and his skin smoother. His nose narrowed with a slight bump on the bridge. On another man, it might have looked harsh, but on him, it accentuated his features, rugged not rough. His bottom lip poked out farther than his top, and his jaw squared. She cocked her head closer to Jack in hopes of seeing his eyes, but they were focused on his dad.
“Pop? It’s Caden, you okay?”
She couldn’t tell this time whether Jack reacted. She was primarily focused on Caden. It had been a long time since she’d even made the effort to look at a man. The last two years she’d become a hermit. But this guy? He stirred a little something inside her. Maybe it was his sincerity with his dad. There was no doubt he was handsome, but it was in the way he spoke. So tender. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d heard someone speak the way Caden did. His face fell in a pained sigh. “Pop?” His thick brows furrowed.
“You the bitch on the phone?”
Marissa flinched. She hadn’t realized Jack’s other son, Kase, had moved to stand over her. His dark brown leather boots were only a foot from her sneakers. She slowly gazed up, pinning him with a glare. Bitch? That’s how he chose to refer to the person who helped his father?
She snickered. “You the asshole with the foul mouth?”
He was not expecting her response, which was evident when his eyes narrowed. She assumed he was the type who usually spoke to people however he wanted, with little or no repercussions. By his outward appearance, most people would be intimidated.
“Christ, Kase.”
She shifted her gaze to Caden, whose harsh glare was aimed at his brother. His gaze wandered to Marissa. Brown eyes. Lighter than his brother’s, and long dark lashes. The tension in his forehead had caused two thin lines between his brows. Even scowling, he was handsome. There was something about his face that caused a spike in her chest.
“Ignore him. I’m Cade.” His voice was deep and graveled but with a sweet edge to it.
She drew in a breath. “Marissa.”
The corner of his mouth curved slightly. “I remember.” He stared a second longer and lifted his chin toward Jack. “How long has he been like this?”
Marissa turned to Jack, whose head bowed slightly. “A while.”
She wondered if he even realized they were talking about him. She rested her hand on his back, and Jack’s back straightened. He slowly craned his neck.
The bags under his eyes were thick and his skin wrinkled. He had seen a lot of sun in his day and not enough sunscreen. She forced a smile, because what else could she do? He looked scared and uncertain. His eyes followed the movement in her face. It was as though he was in a trance. She kept her smile in place and rubbed his back softly. Maybe all he needed was a little affection.
“You okay, Jack?” She wasn’t whispering, but she kept her voice light and steady.
His eyes darted up to meet her stare. She flickered a glance at Cade. Something was off. Jack was showing life in his eyes again, but she was getting a strange vibe. Recognition? He leaned closer, and his bottom lip fell open.
“Colleen.” Jack sighed, and his face relaxed. His lips curved, and he released a bellowing laugh. Marissa gave an awkward smile, not understanding what the hell was going on. “Ain’t seen you in years, girlie.” What the hell is going on?
“Oh fucking hell, old man.”
“Kase, shut the fuck up.” Cade stood and lunged for his brother’s shirt, gripping the material into his fist. Kase was taller but only by an inch or two. Marissa gasped when Kase gripped Cade by the arms, pushing him off. Cade held on.
“Cade, you got a fucking second to get the fuck off me.”
“Then you shut the fuck up, ya hear me?”
This was bad, so very bad. She was centered around too much testosterone. Was this what it was like in the jungle, fighting to be alpha?
“Hell, woman where you been?”
