Boy, Pan was pretty sick of people acting like she was taking advantage of Tyler. He was a big boy, and if he wanted to flirt, then so be it.
“Yeah, I don’t think so.” Pan crossed her arms. “You’re gonna go and rest on the couch. I’ll be inside here in a bit.”
Pan laughed when Iris shot her a dirty look.
“Quit being a baby and go sit down. You look like death warmed over.”
Iris slammed the door but not before Pan heard a trail of curse words.
“I can see she hasn’t been able to shake the morning sickness,” Tyler said.
Pan turned toward him.
“Nope. I swear, I’ve seen that woman puke more than I ever thought possible.” Pan stepped a little closer, so Iris wouldn’t be able to hear. “We’re all a little worried. Doc said she’s fine, but it’s just so sad to see her so sick.”
Pan glanced through the window. Her sister was lying on the couch. She seemed so small and delicate.
“She’s stronger than you all give her credit for,” Tyler said. He turned to look through the window.
Iris popped up on the couch and turned toward them. Busted! Iris flipped them off and went in the bedroom.
“Fucking crazy pregnant lady on the loose.” Pan rolled her eyes. When she turned, she and Tyler were just inches apart.
“What are you doing tomorrow night for dinner?” he asked.
She stared at his mouth as he spoke. The gauge inside his tongue flashed every now and then, causing heat to pool between her legs.
“Can’t tomorrow.” She shifted her gaze to his. Amusement danced in them. “It’s girls’ night.”
“Day after?”
Pan’s breathing became a little labored. Tyler might not be the man she wanted, but he was nice, and damn, he really looked great. A shiver slipped through her. Yeah, every girl had a special place for that bad boy look. Spiky black hair, tattoos and piercings made him exactly that.
“Okay,” she whispered.
His brown eyes lit up.
“Great!” Tyler bounced on the balls of his feet.
“Great,” she said, feeling a little bad. It wasn’t her intent to set him up, but she deserved to be happy, damn it. Pan smiled weakly at him.
From the corner of her eye, she spotted some movement at the bike shop. Emilio was pacing back and forth inside the garage. He stopped and seemed to notice her looking. Pan nearly choked at his stern look.
“Yeah, well,” Tyler fumbled. Pan turned to say goodbye and found him staring intently at her. She knew he had guessed who she had been looking at. Her feelings had never really been a secret. “So I guess I’ll pick you up at the shop.”
“Sounds good.” Pan made her way to the door. A hand grasped hers and pulled her around.
“I know how you feel, but he isn’t going to change.” Tyler nodded toward the garage. “I’m not him, but we could have something. I’m just asking for a chance.”
A little taken aback, Pan nodded.
“Right. Okay, see you then.” Tyler bounded off the porch and back to the garage.
Emilio threw his hat on the floor and pounded over to Tyler.
“What the fuck was that about?” The muscles in his arms quivered to beat the shit out of Tyler.
“Just working out plans for a date.” Tyler slipped by without breaking step.
Shock seeped in, and it took Emilio a few moments to refocus. “You what?” He whirled around and found Tyler drinking down some bottled water.
Tyler took his time to wipe his mouth and cap the bottle before replying. “Listen, I don’t know what the hell is stopping you from making a move, but if you aren’t then I will.” He tossed the bottle roughly into the trash. “We’re all sick and tired of the games. You want her, but you won’t take her. Better yet, you won’t tell any of us why.” Tyler stepped closer and jabbed Emilio in the chest. “You want to knock my teeth out, go right ahead, but that ain’t going to stop the next guy.”
Horror raged through Emilio. She would find someone. No way in hell someone as hot as her wouldn’t find a guy.
Tyler ran a hand through his short spikes. “Listen, I’m not trying to be a dick, but if you don’t let anyone in, how the hell are we supposed to help?”
With that, he walked away. Emilio was left trying to hold his emotions in check.
This was really shaping up to be a shit day.
“I’m in the baby’s room,” Iris called when Pan closed the front door.
She gathered up the boxes and wandered through the house Luc and Iris now shared. Luc had really worked hard to make it a home for the both of them. He seemed so thrilled when Iris started adding her own flair to the place. More than anything, it looked lived in and inviting. The perfect place to raise a baby.
She walked into the second bedroom and sat the boxes on the dresser. Yellows and greens jumped out at every turn.
“You sure you don’t want to know the sex?” Pan asked.
Iris sighed. They had been over this several times, and each time it was the same response.
“We want to be surprised.”
“Well you aren’t going to be. Any which way it’s going to be a baby.” Pan crossed the room and sat on the floor to pass over the new boxes.
“Ya think?” Iris rolled her eyes and took the first box. “We just think it would be fun. His mom and sister are dying to know. It’s going to be so special when Luc walks into the waiting room to announce the gender.”
Iris stared off dreamily. She had been doing that a lot recently. The more pregnant she grew, the worse it became.
“Fine, fine. So what’s on the list today?”
“Bouncer and stroller.” Iris huffed. “It’s convenient how Luc seems to miss out on the stuff that would be the easiest for him.”
“Down tiger.” Pan held up her hands. “You know he’s taking on as much extra work as he can before the baby comes.”
Iris sighed. “I know. I’m just tired, and we haven’t been able to spend as much time together.”
“Is that the code word for sex?”
Iris shot her a dirty look and rubbed her tummy.
“Oh!” Iris jumped causing Pan to jump.
“What? Are you all right? Should I call the hospital?”
Pan started up off the floor when Iris reached out to stop her.
“No!” Iris turned and grinned at Pan with pure joy. She yanked Pan’s hand and placed it on her belly. The strange rolling she felt made her giggle.
“Is that the peanut?” Pan stared in awe at her sister.
Iris nodded.
“That is insane!” At her exclamation, she felt a sharp kick and chuckled. She leaned closer to her sister stomach. “Hey, you. Don’t start something you can’t finish.”
Iris giggled when Pan pulled her hand back.
“So,” Iris turned her attention back to Pan. “What’s up with you and Tyler?”
And there is was. Sure didn’t take long for that to come up.
“What is up with everyone being worried about Tyler?” Pan tossed the instructions to the stroller on the ground and stood to pace the room. “The man is sexy as sin!”
A low chuckle came from the door. “I’m sure he’d be happy to hear you say it,” Luc said.
Iris struggled to stand. Pan reached out a hand to pull her up and watched as she flung herself into his arms.
“Luc,” Iris said before crashing into him.
“Hey, baby.” He leaned down to kiss her and rub her belly. Iris reached out and ran her fingers through his blond hair, her thumb gently caressing the scar across his face.
Pan always hated these moments. Not that she wasn’t happy for her sister, but there wasn’t a clear outline for what she was supposed to do.
“You putting together the stroller?” Luc said as he pulled Iris into the room.
“Yup, and on that note, I’m out,” Pan said. The room felt about ten times too small with his massive frame swallowing most of the room.
&nbs
p; Iris grabbed her hand as Pan made her way to the door.
“You don’t have to go.” Iris gave her a loving squeeze.
“I know.” Pan smiled. “Enjoy your time together. Won’t be long before you all get very little of that.”
Pan rubbed her sister’s belly and then made her way to the front door. Just as she turned the knob, Luc called to her.
“Tyler had it rough as a kid. Won’t go into details but wanted you to know.” Pan started to respond when Luc put up a hand. “Not saying not to go out with him, but just know, it means something.”
Pan thought on this. Tyler was a nice guy, but how much did it mean to her? She nodded her understanding to Luc. Tyler knew her feelings, but that didn’t mean that he wasn’t hoping for something. She was just going to have to be blunt.
“Thanks,” Pan muttered before rushing out the door.
Chapter Three
“All right, another round and a sprite.” Sarah bounced into her seat after passing out the shots. Iris was finally feeling well enough to come out for an evening, but the only way that was happening was if Luc got to sit at the table next to them. Not much of a girls’ night if they had to deal with the sausage fest living it up next door.
Pan stuck out her tongue at her sister. She was tired of seeing them make goo-goo eyes at each other, and she had just gotten there. Not that Sarah and Jake were much better, but at least he was behind a bar.
“Thanks again for covering this afternoon. The nap seemed to really help.” Iris touched her knee.
Pan waved her hand. “Bah. No problem. Better have you rested than falling asleep at the table.” She gave a wicked smile. “Besides, nobody wants to hear you snore.”
Iris pinched her leg. “I do not!” She stamped her foot.
“’Fraid you do.” Luc reached over and stole the shot in front of Pan. Likely for starting something with Iris. She flipped him off. Nothing worse than stealing a shot before a girl even had the chance to take one.
“I hate you both.” Iris hopped up and fled to the bathroom.
Pan rolled her eyes at Luc.
“Pregnant women.” She stood to follow. “I’ll handle this.”
Pan hurried into the small bathroom and felt bad when she heard sniffling from one of the stalls.
“Oh, Iris, I was just teasing.” She tried to open it up, but the lock was in place.
The click sounded and a red-eyed Iris opened.
“I know.” She sniffled loudly. “I just can’t seem to stop crying.”
Iris laughed, which only made the sniffling louder.
The two laughed.
“Ugh. All these hormones are making me crazy.” Iris walked over to the mirror to check her eyes.
Slightly pink, but she looked completely in control.
“All better?”
Iris slicked back her hair. “Yeah, sorry about that. We should get back though.”
“That’s what sisters are for.” Pan winked and gave Iris a quick hug. “Go on and head back. I’m going to go while I’m in here.”
Pan quickly finished her business and hurried to rejoin the group. As she rushed out of the bathroom, she ran into a solid wall of flesh.
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Pan looked up to meet Emilio’s deep brown depths.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he barked.
Pan stepped back at the hostility. “Doing? Uh, going back to drink.” Pan shifted her eyes from side to side. Damn, all alone.
“With Tyler.” Emilio took a menacing step forward.
Pan narrowed her eyes at him.
“Whatever the fuck I feel like.” Pan crossed her arms in front of her chest.
“You can’t be with him.” Emilio stepped forward again. This time they were toe to toe. His breath floated across her face.
“Why’s that?” Pan took in a shaky breath. He just seemed so raw, and she couldn’t figure out why.
“You aren’t for him.”
Pan bristled at the comment. Why didn’t everyone seem to think she wasn’t good enough for Tyler?
“I’ve about had enough of everyone being worried over Tyler. He’s a big damn boy, and if I want to go out with him then I will.” A lock of her dark brown hair fell down her face. “Not to mention that you get to fuck every big-titted bimbo in a pair of heels, and I’m just supposed to stand by and watch.”
She froze when Emilio brushed the hair behind her ear and then trailed his fingers along her neck. Her skin prickled in the wake of his hand. Goose bumps formed. The look in his eyes caused a tingle and made her insides clench. Leaning a fraction of an inch toward him, she enjoyed the warmth he created in her.
“This isn’t about Tyler,” Emilio said in hushed tones. “Or the bimbos.”
“What’s it about then?” Pan swayed. The effect he had on her was obvious. The way her nipples pointed through the thin material of her bra and tank, it was a wonder she wasn’t poking him in the chest with them.
“He’s just not the right guy for you.”
Pan stared into his hooded eyes and wondered if he was going to kiss her. It’s what she had been thinking about for nearly a year, but this was the first time he’d even seemed interested.
“Oh, and who is?” She leaned in so their mouths were nearly touching. “Are you the right guy?” The husky sound her voice made and half-mast eyes made it clear what she thought.
Emilio jerked back and ran a hand through his ink black hair. The muscles on his tanned chiseled arms twitched, like he was holding himself in check.
“No,” he said with a sigh. “I’m not the guy.”
Pan watched as he looked everywhere but toward her.
“Oh you have got to be kidding me!” Pan shoved Emilio with everything she had and felt a little satisfaction when he stumbled back
The shock of it was clearly written on his face. “I just don’t get you. You run from me for the past year. Then when I give up and move on, you won’t let me go.”
“I wasn’t trying—”
“Really? You really weren’t trying?” Anger raged through her. She was sick and tired of this. He was either interested, or he wasn’t. This cat and mouse game was finished. “Whatever, I’m done.”
Pan twisted around him and stomped toward the front.
“Wait.” Emilio grabbed her by the wrist. “It’s not like that.”
She tugged her arm back. “Oh sure it’s not.” Pan rolled her eyes.
“What, you think it’s fucking easy not going to you? To not put my mouth on you and watch you fall apart as I make you come?” Emilio rubbed her wrist and pulled her closer to him. “To not lose myself in you until we are both shouting our release?”
Pan closed her eyes and shuddered at the thought.
“Why?” she whispered.
Emilio released her hand, jerking Pan back to reality. She eyed him as he stepped away.
“It’s too dangerous.” Emilio turned to head to the back door but stopped. “I just can’t risk it. You mean something, and they would use that.”
“They?” Pan was confused. Something was happening with Emilio, and she couldn’t figure out what.
He turned and looked at her with such longing her heart broke a little.
“Have a good night with the girls.” And just like that, he was gone.
Emilio cursed as the door shut behind him. He hadn’t meant to get so close. Hadn’t meant to say anything really, but when he saw her in those low-slung jeans and tank, his mind hadn’t really been doing much of the thinking.
He kicked some gravel. Just thinking of her with Tyler pissed him off. The two were buds, but every time he pictured them, standing on the porch laughing, he wanted to go over and beat the shit out of him.
This was a new one for him. It hadn’t been so bad running from her the past year. Sure he had wanted to do something about it, but the dangers involved had made it easy to keep her at arm’s length.
His lip curled at the thought of the dangers. The next time
he saw his father, he planned on ripping off his fucking balls. Leaving him to deal with his mess was one thing, but now his whole family was feeling the strain of his father’s connections. Nicoli was only inches away from getting into some serious shit. He really didn’t know how he’d keep his just barely teen brother out of this. As it was, his sister was fielding most of the police’s questions. Detective Connor Maxwell had been a particularly large thorn in his side, not that Maria seemed to mind. He had seriously started to wonder if Maxwell came by to check on leads or check out his sister. Either way, he didn’t like it.
Emilio hopped on his bike and headed back to the shop. Maybe if he threw himself elbow deep in grease, it would help him work out some of his anger.
Pan stumbled back to the table. She felt like she’d been shot. The shock of it would have been less surprising than some of the things Emilio had said. She was important? They would use that? The more she thought on it, the less sense it made.
“Hey, what took so long?” Iris pinned her with a hard stare.
Pan shook her head. “I’m just not feeling so great. Think I’ll cut tonight short.”
She knew Iris wasn’t buying it, but let it slide. Wasn’t often she skipped out on a girls’ night.
“All right, but call me tomorrow. Don’t forget I have a doctor’s appointment and won’t be in all day.”
Pan nodded and headed for the door.
Once outside, the cool air wakened her senses a little. Since talking to Emilio, everything felt slightly muted and a little out of focus.
She mounted her bike and started driving back to the bookshop. When she passed the spot where she’d seen Max, she slowed down. With that prick, she couldn’t be too certain what would come.
What she didn’t expect to see was the teen from before. Blood dripped down his face. Max and his goon towered over him. The thugs beat on the poor boy, menacing smiles plastered to their faces.
Pan snapped. It was one thing to mess with adults, but kids crossed the line. She whipped the bike around and roared back to the alley front. There would be just enough room if everything worked out right.
The bike rumbled toward the two men. They didn’t even seem to notice until she was right on them. Pan slipped a machete out from a holster on the side. She’s upgraded since her last run-in with these pricks.
Standing By (Road House) Page 2
