by Lori Foster
When he got out, Yvette approached. “Hi.”
“Hi, Yvette.” He struggled not to look beyond her at Rissy. “What’s up?”
Pinched with worry, she gestured to the truck. “Vandalism.”
All four tires were flat.
Cannon crouched down by the back passenger tire. “Nails in all of them.”
With a long whistle, he joined Cannon on his haunches. “You drive through a damned construction site?”
“Nope.”
“Huh.” The look Cannon gave him spoke volumes—he thought someone had fucked with his truck. Alarm took Armie back to his feet. “That happen here, or at Yvette’s?”
“I’m guessing at home.” Cannon stood, too. “If the nails were fresh, the tires wouldn’t be flat already. But we got here for breakfast around ten, so…” He shrugged.
A couple of hours ago, then, since it was now high noon. “Still,” Armie said. “I’m thinking it might be a good idea to load up on some security here.”
Cannon strode over to the other side of the truck, away from the women.
That suited Armie perfectly. Fuck if he couldn’t feel Rissy right there, only a few feet away. The more distance he put between them, the easier he’d breathe.
He looked at Yvette. “Mind grabbing me something cold to drink?”
Yvette said, “Oh, uh…” She glanced at Rissy.
He did not.
“They want privacy,” Rissy said with a huff. “He knows better than to send me off on a made-up errand, but I guess he figures you’re easier to dupe.”
“Or just nicer,” he heard himself say. Then he cursed under his breath.
From the other side of the truck, Cannon tried to play referee. “Play nice, Rissy.”
She feigned innocent confusion, making an O of her mouth and batting her eyelashes in an exaggerated way. “But I thought you wanted Armie’s help? And if I’m nice, won’t that scare him into next week?”
“Rissy,” Armie warned, with no effect at all.
“He’s liable to scream in terror and run away, then how can he assist you?”
“Actually,” Cannon said, saving his ass from saying something he’d later regret, “I’m thirsty, too. So how about a couple of cold ones?”
“For you, sure.” She hooked her arm through Yvette’s and dragged the poor confused girl along with her.
Armie watched them walk away—until Cannon gave him a shove, half knocking him into the side of the truck.
He hadn’t even noticed Cannon coming close again. “What the hell?”
“You were picturing another threesome, and shit like that just might get you killed.”
Appalled, Armie straightened with knotted fists. “The hell I was! One is your sister.” And never would he involve her in anything that sordid, not even in make-believe. When he thought about sex with Rissy—and yeah, he did—it was only the two of them. “The other is your girlfriend. I’ll admit I’m a bastard, but I’m not that low.”
Cannon considered him, then hitched his shoulders and rolled his head as if trying to loosen his coiled muscles. “Sorry.”
Taking pity on him, Armie lightened his tone. “Actually, I was kind of amused at the differences. I mean, with Rissy so damned tall.” So leggy. “And Yvette so petite. Other than the long dark hair, they’re as mismatched as can be.”
“Yeah.” Cannon ran both hands through his hair and paced away.
Crossing his arms and leaning back on the truck, Armie read his agitation. “So what’s really going on?”
“Her fucked-up boyfriend might be in town.”
“No shit?”
“Her girlfriend called last night and said Heath had hopped a plane. He posted some nonsense on his Facebook about reclaiming what’s his.”
“You think he’s already here?” He nodded at the tires. “You think he did this?”
“No idea, but I don’t like it.”
“What can I do to help? Besides giving you a ride today, I mean.”
“Would you mind helping me put up that extra security here that you mentioned?”
Oh, hell, no. He swallowed. “Here?”
“Yeah.” Cannon watched the door. “I don’t want to alarm Rissy or Yvette, but I’ve got a bad feeling about things.”
“Her ex is that bad?”
“Maybe. From what Yvette’s told me, he’s the stalker type. But I swear, it feels like more than that.”
Rissy worked during the day. He could get Stack or Miles to cover things at the rec center and come by then so that he didn’t have to butt heads with her.
So he didn’t have to resist her.
“Yeah, sure. Glad to help out. You know that.” Armie figured they could wrap it up in just a few hours. Surely he could keep it together that long.
“Hey, guys.”
They both looked up to see a sleep-rumpled Cherry Peyton approach with two dewy cans of Coke. Her dark blond hair bounced as she walked and mascara was smudged under her brown eyes.
“Cherry.” Now, there was a woman he could lust after, Armie thought. “Did we wake you?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Rissy did. Slamming cabinets and cursing you.”
He drew back. “Me? What’d I do?” But yeah, he knew.
All teasing and flirting, she leaned in. “Now, Armie, what haven’t you done?”
The grin slipped in on him. “You got me there.” He took a Coke from her.
She handed the other to Cannon.
“Thanks.” Cannon popped the tab. “Late night?”
Covering a jaw-stretching yawn, she nodded. “We got in late,” she said around her hand. “Then I couldn’t get to sleep. I tossed and turned and finally passed out this morning.”
Charmed by her, Armie grinned. Yeah, he knew Denver was sweet on her so he wouldn’t overstep. But he could have some fun all the same. “A drink might’ve helped.”
“Tried that, actually, with a glass of wine.”
“Then maybe it was a man you needed.”
Cannon cautioned him with a scowl.
Laughing, Cherry smacked his arm, then admitted, “Maybe,” before sauntering off again.
Her snug sleep shorts and a clingy tank top looked sexy enough to keep his thoughts occupied watching her walk.
As she disappeared through the front door, Cannon opened his mouth—and Armie said, “Save it. It’s too late. I already have that fantasy locked away.”
“Armie,” he warned.
“Fuck off, Cannon.” Without any real animosity, he said, “She’s not your sister, not your girlfriend, and my imagination is not under your purview. I can damn well fantasize about her if I want to.”
“Listen to you talking all fancy.”
Armie froze, winced and turned to see Rissy standing there. Eyes narrowed. Arms crossed. One foot tapping.
Damn, she was hot. “Hey, Stretch. Way to sneak up on a guy.”
After a burning glare, she dismissed him. “I have to take off,” she said to Cannon.
“You’re working today?”
“No, I don’t start back until Monday, but I got a call from Steve. He was supposed to pick me up last night and was a no-show. Took Cherry and me an hour to catch a cab.”
“Why didn’t you call me?” Cannon asked.
“I did, remember? You didn’t answer.” Grinning, she waved away his automatic apology. “We made it home safe and sound, no biggie. Anyway, Steve just called. He said he’s laid up. Something about getting jumped and beat up.”
Wasn’t easy, but Armie managed to keep his face blank, even when Cannon stared at him. Steve was a damned liar, but whatever.
Rissy didn’t look real concerned over her boyfriend’s plight, he noted. “You’re going to go play nurse, huh? Sounds kinky.”
Cannon shoved him again.
But Rissy forestalled her brother’s temper by saying, “Actually, I’m mostly just going there to tell him we’re over.”
While Armie staggered, at least figuratively, Cannon
asked, “Why? What happened?”
“Nothing, really. I just realized I didn’t miss him while I was in Japan. I had more fun with Cherry than I would have if Steve had gone along. That’s pretty telling, don’t you think?”
Always the supportive big brother, Cannon said, “I think you’re smart enough to know what you’re doing.”
She shrugged. “Hope so, because there aren’t any other prospects currently on the horizon.”
Armie worked his jaw. Was she hinting? For his benefit?
Ha. Not happening. He wasn’t a dope. And she damn well knew how he felt about—
“I hate to run off.” She fretted with her purse strap. “Do you still have a key?”
Cannon nodded. “Don’t sweat it, hon. We’re taking off anyway.”
“Well, if you do need to go back in, Cherry will be here, but I think she might be going back to bed.” She pointed at Armie. “Not a word out of you.”
Forgetting what he’d been about to say, something to do with Cherry and a bed and not sleeping, Armie closed his mouth.
Keeping a cautious eye on him, Rissy slowly moved her gaze back to Cannon. “If you find yourself with extra free time, give me a call.”
Cannon hugged her close. “Will do.”
She leaned her head against him. “I like her, Cannon. Don’t screw it up, okay?”
Laughing, Cannon mussed his sister’s hair, kissed her forehead and let her go.
Armie made a point of not looking at her. Hell, he tried not to look at Cannon either. But Rissy had no sooner pulled away from the curb than Cannon stared him down.
Cannon was good at that, but then, so was Armie. “What?”
“Why the hell didn’t you tell me it was Steve you fought with?”
Seeing no reason to deny it, Armie snorted. “There was no fight to it, that’s why. He and his punk friends jumped me, got in a few licks and then ended up limping away. You heard Rissy. The wuss is still lazing in bed, no doubt milking it for her benefit.” Disgruntled by the idea, he muttered, “Bastard is probably hoping to appeal to her softer side.”
“What do you know of my sister’s softer side?”
“Only that she hides it well.” He clapped Cannon on the shoulder. “We going to call someone about the tires or what?”
“Roadside service is on the way. Soon as they get here we can take off. I just need you to drop Yvette and me off at home. We’ll use her car to go to the rec center. Stack wants me to meet some of the new kids. As it is, I’m cutting it close.”
“Let’s get to it, then.”
“Right.” Folding his arms over his chest, Cannon went all stern and insistent. “Soon as you tell me what happened with Steve.”
“I already did.”
“Not by a long shot.”
Knowing Cannon well enough to see he wouldn’t let it go, Armie shrugged. Why not? He’d censor appropriately and if anything, Cannon would thank him. “I heard him shooting off his mouth, that’s all.”
His expression went dark. “About Rissy?”
Shaking his head, Armie said, “No.” He’d have done more than knock him around for that. “About some other chick he’s banging. As in, sleeping with while Rissy was in Japan.”
Cannon’s arms dropped. “He was cheating on her?”
Just the umbrage Armie had counted on. “Yeah, and from what he said, it’s happened before. He went into a nauseating amount of detail about how the chick was desperate and easy—and finished off by saying with Merissa out of town, he had to take his pleasure where he could.”
“So he did talk about her.”
Rushing, Armie said, “You don’t need to do anything.”
“Because you already did?”
“Uh…” Yeah, that about covered it. But he didn’t want to give the wrong impression. “You heard Rissy. He’s already a beaten dog. Why dirty your hands finishing him off?”
Cannon seemed to be considering things. “They weren’t really locked down.”
“Don’t defend him.”
“Wouldn’t.” He looked at Armie. “I’m just saying, Rissy doesn’t like to get too tight with anyone. They might have had an understanding, I’m not sure on that. But any guy who’d go bragging to his buddies is an asshole anyway.”
“Exactly.” He’d followed the putz, not trusting him after he’d also made a few jokes about getting the woman high and needing to stock up his supply before Merissa got home.
Unfortunately, Steve was a paranoid putz, so when he felt he was being followed, he’d reacted by having his buddies circle around on Armie.
“How bad did you hurt him?”
“Bad enough.”
“Details.”
“I might’ve broken his jaw, probably a finger or two. Possibly even his hand.” Armie gave it some thought. “I wasn’t exaggerating about him limping either, but his knee should be okay. Just sore for a few days.”
“Jesus.” Cannon choked on a laugh. “Anything else?”
Armie narrowed his eyes. How the hell could Cannon find any humor in this? “I landed a nut shot, so even if Rissy makes up with him, he won’t be any use to her for a while.”
That wiped away all signs of humor. “I don’t want to think about that.”
“You’re a wuss, too.”
“Says the guy without a sister.” Cannon started moving stuff from his truck to Armie’s SUV. “I have to say, though, you play the big brother well. Thanks for looking out for her.”
Yeah…brotherly thoughts had never occupied his mind, not where Merissa Colter was concerned. “My pleasure.”
“I’m wondering now, though, if we should tell her before she sees him.”
“Naw.” Rissy was smart. She’d see through Steve’s bullshit, if she hadn’t already. “If she suddenly makes up with him, then sure, we’ll tell her.” Or rather, Cannon could tell her. Because he’d be keeping his distance.
By the time they finished jawing and moving stuff to Armie’s ride, roadside service showed up. While Cannon talked with them, Armie went inside to get Yvette.
He followed laughing female voices to the kitchen table. Yvette and Cherry sat together discussing fighters, and he listened in without a speck of remorse.
Still giggling, Cherry said, “Guys just crack me up.”
“They do keep things interesting,” Yvette agreed.
Now, what was that about? Armie listened, but apparently he’d missed the joke.
“It’s too bad you couldn’t have gone to Japan with us. We had a great time.”
“I bet. I’ve only ever seen one live fight.”
Armie was fairly certain Cannon would change that. If he knew his friend, and he did, Cannon would want her close by from now on.
“Hopefully Cannon will have some time off before he’s offered another fight.”
Yvette sat back in the chair, long legs crossed, one arm folded under her breasts, the other hand playing with the ends of her hair.
It was one of those feminine habits that Armie adored. Women like Yvette could be so damned sexy without even realizing it. He enjoyed seeing a woman fuss with her nails, reapply her lipstick, smooth a tight skirt…Course, he never saw any of that with Rissy and he was damn near blind with lust for her.
“Should be at least a few months,” Yvette said, “but so far it never seems to work out that way for him.”
“Rissy says he’s quick to take every opportunity to fight.”
“And he’s a fan favorite.” Yvette smiled. “He loves the sport. But then, so do I. I started watching because of Cannon, but now I’m hooked.”
“I like the fighters, and their hot bodies,” Cherry admitted with a grin. “But the actual sport confuses me. The weight classes, the rules, the moves. Sometimes it’ll look as if a guy’s losing and then somehow he wins. Or a guy who looks really tough isn’t, and vice versa.”
“It’s more heart than physique.” Yvette let out a dramatic sigh. “Luckily Cannon has both.”
“Denver’s bod
y…” Cherry shivered. “He’s pretty hot, don’t you think?”
“Heck, they all are.”
“I’m curious if they look that delicious all over.”
“Probably. I haven’t seen a dud in the bunch.” As if in deep thought, Yvette rearranged her cold drink. “They all seem pretty nice, too. But Cannon is special.”
Cherry teased her, saying, “You’d know, since you get the up-close-and-personal view.”
“Maybe,” Yvette teased back.
“I love Denver’s shoulders. And his thighs.”
Armie was about to laugh.
Then she added, “And Armie’s arms. And Stack’s chest. They’re all so sexy.”
Poor Denver. Not quite stealing the show yet. Though he’d have loved to listen in a little longer, Armie announced himself by tapping on the wall. “Knock, knock.”
Both women swiveled around to stare at him, surprise quickly morphing into guilt.
He put on his wickedest grin. “Caught you gossiping, didn’t I? And about superficial stuff like a guy’s body.” Putting a hand over his heart, he tsked. “I’m crushed. I thought women were more enlightened, caring only about feelings and shit like that.”
Mortified heat bloomed in Cherry’s face, turning her cheeks bright red.
Yvette shook a finger at him. “You have a bad habit of showing up at inopportune times.”
“And here I thought my timing was perfect when I found you at the local po—”
“Armie!”
Grinning, he relented. Oh, he’d tease her about the porn store from now until eternity, might even buy her a few pornos for her birthday, but in front of others he’d curb it.
He liked to tease, but he didn’t really want to embarrass her.
“Next thing,” Armie teased, taking a different route, “you’ll be telling me size does matter.”
Regaining her aplomb, Cherry slowly rose from her seat. “Oh, I dunno. Like with boobs, bigger is better.” She put her shoulders back, which made Armie’s attention drop to her chest. “But I say it’s more about how you use it.”
“Yeah? Tell me more, and don’t leave out any details.”
