FIVE⁕MORE⁕MINUTES

by Williams, Mary J.

  "Lila should be here, with us. Now." Alex looked around the table. "Do you know why she isn't?"

  "Because her brother is a pain in her ass she'd rather not deal with?" Jack suggested not so innocently.

  Alex gave his old friend a dirty look.

  "She's with that, that… movie producer."

  "I doubt he has her chained to the radiator."

  "Really?" Dani turned to Drew. "Why did you have to put that image in his head?"

  "That's it." Alex took out his phone. "What's his number?"

  Deciding a phone call was better than rushing over to Lila's, Rose pulled up the number on her phone, hitting dial before handing it to Alex.

  "What are you going to do?" Dani asked her fiancé warily. When he didn't answer right away, she laid a hand on his arm. "Do not embarrass Lila."

  "Don't worry," Alex reassured the love of his life. Unfortunately, his cold, steel smile negated his words. "I'm just going to invite him for a friendly drink."

  "At Tom Tom's?" Jack asked with a grin.

  "At Tom Tom's."

  CHAPTER FIVE

  TOM TOM'S WAS a Harper Falls institution. Opened by a first Gulf War vet, it was considered a rite of passage to have your first legal drink there. If you were underage, you better not sneak in. Tom Unger had a nose for sniffing out a fake I.D. Once caught, you weren't allowed back in, legal or not. Everyone knew the rule. Those who tried to get around it paid the price.

  Once a month Tom closed early. Other vets from the area gathered to play poker, air out their personal problems, or simply hang with people who had seen the same kind of hell and lived to talk about it. This was one of those nights.

  Sam didn't know any of this when he agreed to have a drink with Lila's brother. That he was going at all, didn't sit well with the lady.

  "You don't have to do this," Lila told him after he got off the phone with Alex. "He's treating me like a Victorian virgin. You can't deflower or debauch me."

  "No debauching? I'm sorry to hear that."

  "Besides," Lila continued, not buying into Sam's attempt at humor, "we only have a few days. This is my time."

  "We'll have all night," Sam assured her. "One drink. Two at the most. I charm your brother; assure him I'm as tame as a pussycat. Once I calm his fears, we can enjoy the rest of the week."

  "You don't know my brother," Lila told him. "He's a hard-ass when it comes to protecting the women in his life. He sees me as the same girl I was when he left home to join the Army. I've tried. Dani's tried. Nothing can break through that thick skull."

  "I can testify; you are all woman."

  "Whatever you do, don't even hint that you've seen me naked."

  Sam put his arms around her, pulling her close.

  "If push comes to shove, I can take care of myself," Sam assured her. "I trained with an expert in Krav Maga."

  Between them, Alex, Jack, and Drew were over six-hundred pounds of solid muscle. Lila knew if there were a fight, it would be one on one. Alex wouldn't bring his friends into it. Unfortunately for Sam, Alex alone would be more than enough.

  No matter how much training Sam had, her brother's experience was garnered out in the field. The desert of Kuwait, the mountains of Afghanistan. She didn't want to hurt his male ego, so she kept quiet. But if push came to shove, Sam would be pushed and shoved into the hospital.

  "I can't talk you out of this?"

  "Lila." Sam kissed the end of her nose. "Drinks at a local bar. What's the worst that could happen?"

  SAM WATCHED AS the lights of Harper Falls faded behind them. What was the worst that could happen? Three large men could kill him, dispose of the body, and use each other as alibis. Maybe Lila was right. This was not a good idea.

  "Where is this place?" he asked Alex. When Lila's brother didn't answer, he turned to the men in the back of the SUV. "I thought Tom Tom's was in Harper Falls."

  "Technically, it's outside the city limits," Jack told him. The usually smiling man's face wore an unusually stern expression.

  "Sit back," Drew said. "We're almost there."

  Ten minutes ago, getting in the big, black SUV seemed like the logical thing to do. No point in taking two rigs, Alex told him.

  While Sam greeted Jack and Drew, Lila took Alex aside. He couldn't hear the heated conversation; he could tell it was mostly one sided — Lila's side. She was animated, gesturing, her finger pointing. All the while, Alex stood silently, arms crossed over his massive chest. When Lila finally wound down, without a word, Alex gently patted his sister's shoulder, then kissed her cheek.

  "Damn it, Alex," Lila called out as they left the shop. "Behave yourself."

  Thinking of that moment, Sam wondered if the little, unconcerned wave he gave Lila as the door closed behind him, was the last time he would see her. It was silly. Alex and his friends were not going to kill him. Beat him up? That was possible. He could take a punch from a normal man. Unfortunately, these guys, with their training, experience, and size, were anything but normal. His big words to Lila about Krav Maga were said to alleviate her worry. He knew he was no match for these men. Unlike Lila, he hadn't realized he would need to be.

  "Here we are," Jack called out.

  Whatever Sam expected, it wasn't this.

  The parking lot of the long, dark green building was empty; a single light over the door cast an almost eerie glow. Not the most welcoming sight.

  "Is the place open?"

  "Yes and no," Alex said as he put the SUV in park.

  Sam slowly unbuckled his seat belt. The other three men were already out of the vehicle, waiting for Sam to join them. He'd asked for this, no backing out now. With a resigned sigh, Sam reached for the door handle.

  The cold night air hit his face, bracing after the heated SUV. Jack slapped him on the back.

  "Don't look so glum. You aren't going to your execution."

  "Is that a promise?"

  Jack looked at Alex, then shrugged. "I can almost guarantee it. Damn, it's colder than a witch's tit. Let’s get inside."

  "I SHOULD HAVE kept my mouth shut," Lila said. She paced the length of her apartment, then turned. The three women and two dogs watched, back and forth, back and forth. Like they were witnessing a one-sided tennis match.

  "What were you going to do?" Dani asked. "Hole up here for the entire week? Alex was bound to find out Sam hadn't left town. More than shit would have hit the fan after that."

  Lila stopped, her fists clenched in frustration. "Why is it any of his business?"

  "That was my question," Tyler said. "It got me a very dirty look."

  "Of course, Jack and Drew had to jump in and be all, we men have to protect our women." Rose shook her head. "I think they just wanted to be there to cheer Alex on in case a fight breaks out."

  "What?"

  "Nice going," Dani said to Rose. "Lila, calm down. Do not grab your keys."

  "I need to get to Tom Tom's."

  Lila headed for the door, and then remembered it was winter. Before she could backtrack to her closet, Dani calmly took the car keys from her hand and led her to the sofa.

  "Sit."

  "But…"

  "Listen," Dani settled her friend. Pouring a glass of wine, she handed it to Lila. "Nothing is going to happen. I made Alex promise he would deliver Sam back to you in the same condition he was in when he left."

  "No black eyes? No missing teeth? Sam has great teeth," Lila told the other women. "No caps or veneers. He was born with them."

  "I'd be more worried about his balls than his teeth."

  "Really?" Dani exclaimed. She turned to Rose. "What is with you tonight? I'm trying to put out a fire. You're trailing behind with a can of gasoline."

  "Sorry," Rose said. She grasped Lila's hand. "Dani's right. Alex isn't a hot head. Jack is a born peacemaker. Drew is the wild card. You never can tell what he might do."

  "Hey," Tyler exclaimed. "No need to throw my man under the bus." Thinking
for a moment, she backtracked. "Okay, I'll give you that one. Drew can be unpredictable, which I love. But he has no reason to go after Sam, or egg Alex on."

  "See?" Dani said, patting Lila's hand reassuringly. "Sam will be fine."

  As if sensing her distress, Cooper padded over. He put his head on Lila's knee, eager to comfort.

  "You understand, don't you?"

  Lila put her arms around his neck, burrowing her face into the fur. The big dog seemed to understand they were talking about Sam.

  You fell in love him right away, didn't you, boy?

  Cooper's big brown eyes seemed to say, "You, too."

  Me? No. Lila sighed. But I'm falling. Hard and fast.

  "I'LL SEE YOUR dollar and raise you two more."

  "Somebody's feeling lucky."

  "Luck has nothing to do with it. Skill, my friend, nothing but skill."

  Sam grinned. The two men exchanging words did so with little heat and obvious affection. Old friends, easy camaraderie. The entire group felt like a laid-back social circle. He had to remind himself these guys met for a reason other than poker. They were a support group. Vets helping vets. He didn't belong. Normally, he would feel out of place. An intruder. Tonight was an exception. They allowed him, Jack, and Drew in because one of their own requested it.

  "You're awfully quiet, Sam. I thought you show business types talked all the time."

  Sam looked at Tom Unger. He owned Tom Tom's, was the group's unofficial leader. It was obvious they looked to him, followed his rules — happily. Be respectful; don't drink too much. Screw up one time too many, don't come back.

  "Oh, I can talk your ear off if the situation warrants it," Sam said. He took a sip of beer. "I'm still wondering if I'm here for a talking to or an ass whipping."

  "The ass whipping is up to Alex." Tom chuckled. "Don't look so worried. He's a reasonable sort — most of the time. Mess with a man's sister, reason tends to fly out the window."

  "I'm not messing with —"

  "We're all fond of Lila," Tom interrupted. "She's like one of my own."

  Hearing this, the other men at the table chimed in. Lila was either a sister, a daughter, a friend. Steve, new to the group and younger than the rest, let everyone know she was hot. The comment earned him some warning looks and an elbow to the ribs. From Sam.

  "Hey," Steve complained. "I didn't say I would ever do anything about it. Isn't a guy allowed to look?"

  "Absolutely," Tom told him. "Look, enjoy. Keep your mouth shut. Understood?"

  "Understood, Tom."

  Impressive. A few softly spoken words, direct eye contact. Tom had the respect of these men. It was genuine, and, if Sam wasn't mistaken, mutual.

  "If you ever want a job as my assistant director, let me know. You'd keep everyone in line with a single look."

  "I'll keep the offer in mind," Tom said. "Now, let's get down to why you're here tonight."

  "Finally," Alex exclaimed. Tom deliberately put the two men on opposite sides of the table. In theory, great. Sam could have done without an evening of dirty looks.

  "Alex." Tom's voice was firm. "When you called me to set this up, you agreed to let us take Sam's measure before anything was said or done."

  "We've been here two hours, Tom," Alex pointed out. "I've known you to take a man's measure in thirty seconds. What's the holdup?"

  Unoffended by Alex's outburst, Tom shrugged. "I've made up my mind about Sam. Didn't take long."

  "Then —"

  Tom held up a hand, instantly silencing Alex.

  "I didn't want to influence anyone. You and Lila are family, son."

  Sam saw Alex swallow hard when Tom called him son. It seemed the older man was more than a friend; he was a surrogate father. Suddenly this all made sense. If Alex's father were alive, he would consult him. Now, that was Tom's job.

  "Sam is a good man," Tom told them. "A little arrogant. Too used to getting his own way," he looked at Alex. "Sound familiar? You met your lady in another country. Her brother was here, blissfully unaware of what was happening."

  "I respected Dani," Alex said, a bit defensively.

  "I respect Lila." Sam directed his words to Tom. His glanced at Alex, wanting him to understand. "I'll admit this get-together threw me. I've never had a brother, or any family member, worry about a woman I was seeing. Lila is very lucky to have all of you in her life."

  "Well said, Sam." Tom looked around the table. Each man nodded. When his eyes stopped on Alex, everyone grew quiet.

  "She's my sister," Alex grumbled. There was less heat, more resignation. "Don't hurt her."

  "I would rather cut off my left nut."

  "Hurt her," Alex told him, "I'll do it for you."

  "FINALLY." LILA JUMPED up when she heard the door to the shop open. "I thought they would never get back."

  "Four hours," Dani reminded her. "That's about average for poker night."

  "Seemed like an eternity."

  Lila stopped herself from racing down the stairs. The slightly sick feeling in her stomach grew. The sound of feet on the stairs, more than one pair. One more second, she would scream.

  Alex was the first one into the room.

  "Don't give me that look," he said. "Loverboy is still in one piece. See?"

  Sam looked fine. No visible marks. She started to go to him but her brother's hand on her arm stopped her.

  "Nope." He pulled her close, giving her a loving hug. "Big brother first." Alex kissed her cheek, and then whispered, "He was never in any danger."

  "I know," she whispered back. Her arms tightened around his waist. She loved him so much. "I was afraid you might stick him on one of Jack and Drew's planes, and then have one of them fly him out of here. Maybe Timbuktu or Kathmandu."

  "Mmm, it was a thought." Alex laughed when Lila punched him in the arm. "He's here, isn't he? No harm done."

  "Was there any?" Lila asked Sam after everyone left. "Harm done, I mean."

  "I'm good. Perfect."

  "You've come out of this with your ego intact," Lila laughed. "What went on tonight?"

  "Guy stuff," Sam said. He removed his coat and gloves before bending to pet a wiggling Cooper.

  "Guy stuff? What? Spitting and cursing and peeing standing up?"

  "Pissing."

  "I beg your pardon?"

  "Guys say piss, not pee." Sam took her in his arms, his grin wide.

  "I hate that word; it's… crude."

  "My point exactly." He kissed a trail along her jaw. "Men are crude. Get a group of us together, and it flows like water. Raunchy jokes. Some bragging over sexual exploits. Past sexual exploits. No mention was made of any current relationships."

  Lila shook her head in amazement. "Men. Why do you think women are different? We cuss. We tell inappropriate jokes. As for bragging? You wouldn't believe some of the stories I've heard."

  "Fair enough." Sam lifted Lila, his arms strong and sure. He headed for the bedroom. "What do you say we give a few more to add to your arsenal?"

  Lila didn't tell Sam. Before him, she had no stories. None interesting enough to brag over. By the end of the week, she would. Envy-inducing tales. Lila knew one thing. She would keep the good parts to herself. These moments were hers. For the next few days, Sam belonged to her. She wasn't going to share. Not now. Not ever.

  SAM QUIETLY LEFT the bed. Watching Lila sleep was a joy. When her eyes were open, she was a constant bundle of beautiful energy. Relaxed, her breathing gentle, she was just as beautiful. This was different. Peaceful. She made his heart —

  No. Sam put a screeching halt to those thoughts. His heart was not involved. It couldn't be. Lila belonged in Harper Falls. She had her brother, her friends. He needed the rest of the world. He needed excitement. He craved big cities. New York, London, Los Angeles. His home in Paris. As lovely as Harper Falls was, he knew it wasn't for him. All he had to offer Lila was the occasional visit. She deserved more. She deserved it all. A husband. Childr
en. He wanted all those things too. Someday. But not here. She was planting roots and they were getting deeper every day. Any future for them was impossible.

  "Hey, Coop."

  Cooper greeted him with a happy smile, his head tipped to the side. Sam would miss him. It hadn't taken long for the dog to worm his way into Sam's affections. A bit like a certain curvy brunette.

  "I'm in trouble, Coop," Sam confided to his furry friend. "Promise you'll look after her. I expect you to be a gentleman, keep her company. Keep her safe. Especially keep her safe."

  Sam poured himself a glass of water, then filled Cooper's bowl. The sound of the dog lapping up water followed him as he wandered around the room. It was a small living area. Probably too small now that a large dog was added to the mix. They would make do. When she found the right man, they would move to a bigger place.

  Sam frowned at the thought. He wasn't that man, but picturing Lila with anyone else made his stomach clench. God, he was a selfish bastard. Not that it was a revelation. He was used to having his way — getting what he wanted. He wanted Lila. Couldn't have her. What did he expect? Lila wasn't going into hiding when he left town. Some lucky bastard would snatch her up. He hoped he never heard when it happened.

  Lila's desk was neat, like the rest of her apartment. A cordless phone, a laptop. In one corner a spiral notebook with a plain white cover sat. Curious, Sam sat in the chair. He knew this was snooping. The book was closed. That didn't stop him longer than a few seconds. If she wanted to keep the contents private, the drawer was less than a foot away. His reasoning was slightly skewed, but it worked for him. Flipping open the cover, Sam began to read.

  Lila stretched her arms above her head. Mmm. The bed was warm, perfect for a cuddle with a big sexy man. To her disappointment, when she reached for Sam, his side was empty. She felt the around. Empty and cold.

  Certain he wouldn't have left without telling her, Lila grabbed her robe. The apartment was silent, but there was a faint beam of light under the door. Lila stepped out of the bedroom, searching. When she saw Sam sitting at her desk, reading from her notebook, she started forward. His laughter stopped her in her tracks.