The It's Kind Of Personal (Complete 6 Book Series)ies

by Anna Brooks

  “He still would have gotten there before you, man.”

  “Maybe not.”

  “He was following her, Pierce.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Evidence.” He looks over his shoulder before switching lanes to turn left.

  “What the fuck are you talking about?”

  “Look.” At the stoplight, he rolls down his window and takes a deep breath. “The less I tell you, the better. Just know that it’s being taken care of, okay?”

  I still don’t have any idea what he’s talking about. “Nik, what the fuck?”

  “Let’s just say my only job isn’t as a bartender, okay?”

  “What’s your other job?”

  He reaches into his back pocket and flashes a badge at me, then tucks it back.

  “You’re a cop?”

  He shakes his head and accelerates as the light changes to green. “Special Forces.”

  “What?”

  “Stop saying that.”

  “Well, what the fuck else am I supposed to say? Does Declan know?”

  “Of course your brother knows. He’s my best friend.”

  I lean my head back on the headrest and run everything I know through my brain. How long I’ve known him, if Declan has ever said anything, how the hell I missed it.

  “Seriously, it’s better if you pretend you don’t know. Whenever I go out for an assignment, I hide my identity … it’s just part of the job. Aside from my dad, Declan’s the only other one who knows. My point is there’s more to Vinny kidnapping her than it appears.”

  That causes my head to snap back up. “Will you stop avoiding it and just fucking tell me?”

  “Stanley wants her dead. He’s going behind Danny’s back but coming against roadblocks because of who everyone thinks her biological father is. Vinny was a dumb fuck, thinking he’d kill the daughter of one of Vegas’ most influential men. Nobody wants Daniel Russo breathing down their neck. He might be a hardass shady fucker, but he loves Ruby. Trust me, if Danny didn’t want her gone, he’d never have let her leave.”

  “How do you know about her dad?”

  “As soon as I found out my mother didn’t abandon me and that I had a sister, I dug up everything I could find. And let me tell you, when I get the opportunity, I’ll put a shell right between Stan’s eyes in a heartbeat. Not only did that motherfucker rape my mom, but he used Ruby as a punching bag her whole life.”

  I grit my teeth together. “I know that.”

  “So you weren’t gonna do anything about it?” he asks in disbelief. He knows how protective I am of the women in my life, but I was protecting her … here, with me.

  “You want me to go say I was gonna go kill him, Nik? What the hell do you want me to do? I’m not going to go fly to Vegas and kill someone.”

  “Never mind. I’m just stressed. I know you’ll protect her.” He parks in front of my place and rubs his hands down his face. “Don’t repeat any of this shit, okay? I have everything under control, but I’ll be missing work at the pub one of these days. I know it’s going to put Meara in a bind especially since you can’t be there, but I need to take care of this.”

  “What are you gonna do?”

  He shakes his head. “Go rest. I’ll keep you posted.”

  “Nik—”

  A swipe of his hand through the air tells me this conversation is over.

  I pause before I open the door. “Are you sure you’re good, man? You seem really wired.”

  “I will be.”

  * * *

  A couple of weeks have gone by since Ruby was kidnapped and I was shot. We’ve been spending most days together while I recuperate physically and she recuperates mentally. She fell asleep one afternoon and woke up screaming. It took a little bit to calm her down, but since then, she seems to be doing okay. A little quieter than usual, but I’d imagine I would be too if I were in her position. Neither one of us has been to work, and we’ve both been lying pretty low, but my stitches are out now and I feel fine. My arm’s a little sore, but as long as I don’t overdo it, I’m okay.

  Ruby is coming over to spend the night tonight and I couldn’t be any fucking happier. She’s been distant every time I’ve seen her since the incident, and I’m afraid that what happened pulled her away from me, and I don’t want that. I need her to be with me; we lost too much time to let anything push us apart.

  My doorbell rings and I laugh as I open it. “You don’t need to do that, angel. Just walk right in.”

  “I didn’t want to barge in.”

  I close the door behind her and press her back against it then cradle her face in my palms. Something is bothering her. “Talk to me.”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “What do you want to say?”

  “I’m sorry.” She raises her lashes and her gaze absolutely guts me. “I know I’ve said it before but I still feel horrible.”

  “Ruby, you have nothing to be sorry for.”

  Her fingers trail up my arm, pushing my t-shirt up and she points at my freshly scarred skin. “You got shot because of me.”

  “I’m fine.”

  She giggles and leans her head forward, resting it on my good shoulder. “Do you really mean that, or is it code for something else?”

  “With you, I’m totally fine. One hundred percent.”

  Her lips press against my neck while she tightens her arms around me. “I just don’t want to lose you. I love you too much to lose you.”

  “You’ll never lose me, angel. Never.”

  She nods against me and I kiss the top of her head. I’m doing everything I can to keep my cock under control. Touching her is driving me crazy. Her soft body in my arms, her delicious scent flooding my nostrils. It’s almost too much.

  My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out to see Meara, sticking her tongue out.

  “My sister.” I pull back and answer the call.

  “Hey, loser. Come down to the pub. Everyone’s here.”

  “Ruby just got here, I think we’re—”

  Ruby taps my arm and mouths, ‘Let’s go.’

  “Okay, we’ll be down in a bit.”

  “Okay, cool.”

  “Are you hungry?” I ask Ruby as I tuck my phone away.

  “Not really.”

  “You sure you’re okay with going down there? Meara said everyone’s there so that probably means the band, too, because they played in Milwaukee last night.”

  She straightens her shoulders and cracks her neck like she’s going into the ring or something. “Yep, let’s do this.”

  “You sure? ’Cause it seems like you’re gearing up for a fight.” I playfully punch her in the arm and she laughs.

  “Yeah, I’m sure. I need to get over being so shy around your family. They’re all really nice, and if I’m going to be around, I want them to like me.”

  “They’ll love you, Ruby. Everyone thought you were really nice when you met them at Meara and Liam’s.”

  “Good.”

  “Ready?”

  “Yep, let’s do this.”

  I grab her hand on the way out the door and grab it again as soon as we’re in my car. I can’t get enough of her. When she’s with me, she’s never close enough. I don’t even know if when I’m inside her that will be close enough.

  I’ve gotta change my train of thought before I pull over and do something I know I shouldn’t. “How’s your mom?”

  “So good.” The excitement in her voice accentuates the happiness on her face. “She’s had nine days straight of being present and nothing but good days. No bad nights or anything. I’m trying not to get my hopes up, but I talked to Elizabeth, her therapist, and she says it’s completely possible to reverse the dementia.”

  “I’m so happy for you. And for her.”

  “I know! I am too!”

  I want to have Ruby move in with me, but since she’s been so worried about her mom, I don’t want to put that pressure on her. Hopefully, everything c
ontinues the way it’s supposed to with Violet, and then Ruby can be with me permanently very soon.

  When we get to the pub, I have to use my key because the front door is locked. I’m shocked to see everyone, including Travis’ brother, Brandon, and his wife, Mary, who live in Chicago.

  “Piercie!” Meara yells from behind the bar. “Told you guys he’d come.”

  “Did I miss a memo about a family reunion or something?”

  “Impromptu party, everyone happened to stop by. No reason.”

  I look around and see other people I don’t know milling about too, playing pool and darts upstairs.

  Meara sees my confusion. “We’re just waiting for the regular customers to leave. Closed the doors about an hour ago.” She hands me a juice and looks over at Ruby. “Do you want anything?”

  “Moscato,” I answer for her, and Meara shoots me a look.

  “Can she not speak for herself?”

  Ruby laughs and puts a hand on my arm. “He’s right. Moscato sounds perfect.”

  Meara points at Ruby. “Don’t let him boss you around, missy. I’ll kick his ass for you.”

  “It’s okay. I can take him.”

  “Finally found someone who won’t put up with your shit, huh?” comes a male voice from behind us.

  We both turn, and I give a one-finger salute to Brandon, then hug Mary. “Like she did to you.”

  “Touché.” He laughs. “I’m Brandon, Travis’ brother, and this is my wife, Mary. I know we met briefly a while ago.”

  “Yeah. Hi again. Ruby.” She smiles and leans against me, either for support or just because she wants to touch me; either is good. “No baby tonight?”

  “Nope. He’s with my mom. I don’t think you’ve met her yet.” He tilts his head, thinking.

  Elizabeth sure does a good job keeping her client’s privacy. I commend her for that.

  Ruby nods hesitantly. “Yeah, she comes into town and sees my mom.”

  “Oh, cool.” Brandon doesn’t push any further, thank God.

  Brandon sharpens his gaze and reflexively puts a hand on Mary. I look where his eyes are directed and see Nik throwing on a jacket, his face more intense than normal. Like he can sense eyes on him, Nik’s head snaps up and he looks at Ruby before nodding in our general direction. He vanishes through the back entrance.

  “I’ll be right back.” I kiss Ruby’s temple and hurry to catch up with Nik.

  “Right behind you.” Brandon knows something is up; I guess he made detective so young for a reason.

  Nik’s about to shut the door to his car when I call his name.

  “I got it under control, Pierce. I told you that. Just keep an eye on her until I give you the all clear. After what happened with Vinny, nobody wants to touch her, so I wouldn’t worry too much about her safety.”

  “What’s going on?” Brandon directs his question directly at Nik.

  “Nothing.”

  “Don’t go off the grid, man. Don’t do it.” Brandon’s voice is almost a warning, and Nik steps closer to him.

  “You threatening me, Parker?”

  “No, but you know as well as I do what will happen when the bureau finds out you were tied to it. You leave a certain mark, no pun intended, and as soon as they link you to Russo, who do you think they’re gonna come after?”

  “They won’t link me. I’ll make it sloppy.”

  “Nik, man. Let him dig his own hole. Russo already knows the guy put out a hit on his daughter. You think he’s gonna let that stand?”

  “He’s taking too long,” Nik yells.

  “How the fuck do you know all of this?” I interject at Brandon.

  He just shrugs. “I make it a point to know what I need to.”

  “Evasive much?”

  Brandon laughs. “We’ve run into each other in the past.”

  “You guys are giving me a fuckin’ headache. Nik, why are you rushing out of here?”

  “I just got intel that Stan’s trying to leave, and I wanna take him out before he gets the chance.” He opens his car door and points at us. “I’ll be back. Meara thinks I’m sick, so work with that.”

  He doesn’t give us a chance to reply. Instead, he tears out of the parking lot.

  “Fuck!” Brandon shouts. “He’s such a stubborn ass.”

  “So you knew about all this shit? Jesus, what else is going on around here that I don’t know about?”

  He grabs my shoulder, the good one. “That’s about it. Pretty boring group if you ask me.”

  Chapter 27

  Ruby

  “PIERCE SEEMS REALLY HAPPY,” Mary says.

  “Yeah, you’ve gotta be giving him something pretty special because my brother hasn’t smiled this much since … ever.”

  My face reddens at Meara’s accusation, and I take the wine she hands me, guzzling half the glass.

  “Meara, stop embarrassing the poor girl.” Charlotte reaches over the bar, shoves her cousin, and then looks sympathetically at me. “Sorry, she’s such a bitch.”

  “Oh, no, she’s not—” I try to defuse the situation, but Meara interrupts me.

  “Char’s a bigger bitch than I am.”

  “They’re joking, Ruby.” Mary pats my hand, probably feeling sorry for me and how overwhelmed I am right now.

  “Oh, yeah. I know.” I totally lie. I’ve never had girlfriends, so I don’t get the inside jokes and how a relationship like that works.

  “Sorry, I tend to get carried away sometimes.” Meara shrugs and takes a drink from her glass of soda from behind the bar.

  “It’s okay. I actually have to use the restroom, so if you’ll excuse me for a minute.” I get up off the barstool. “Which way?”

  “I’ll go with you. I gotta go, too.” Charlotte links her arm with mine, and we walk down the hallway. Aside from her being Pierce’s cousin and Travis’ wife, I don’t know much else about her. She seems really nice, though. Everyone is nice, something I’m not used to. I’m trying to give everyone the benefit of the doubt instead of thinking there’s a hidden agenda like there always was back in Vegas.

  Char removes her arm from mine. “Shit, I forgot my purse. Bathroom’s the second door on the left. I’ll be right there.”

  I step inside and do my business. When I open the stall door, I’m more than shocked to see a woman sitting on the sink. I didn’t notice her skanky ass stinking up the place before. “Hey,” she says, looking at her bright red nails. “I don’t think we’ve met, I’m Stacy.”

  I don’t respond verbally, but cross my arms and raise an eyebrow.

  “You’re still around.”

  Okay, she’s gonna be a bitch. “Yeah. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “He fuck you good?”

  The one subject I’m sensitive to. I want to make love to him so bad. I want to feel him close. I want it all. And I’m ready, I’m just afraid. It’s like the last step we need to take. In all honesty, I’ve been ready, but then Vinny happened and Pierce was recovering. My wrists and ankles are probably going to have permanent scars, but I’m alive, and I’m grateful for that.

  She notices the reservation in my face and pounces on it. “Aww, what’s the matter? He’s too much for you? Did he tell you what he wants to do and you chickened out?”

  A knock on the door draws my attention to it. “Ruby? You in there?” Char calls.

  “Yeah, I’ll be right out.” Even I don’t believe the confidence in my voice.

  “Why is the door locked? Come on, let me in. I gotta pee.”

  “I’ll be right there.” I turn back to Stacy. “You need to grow the hell up. I’m not even going to waste my time on you. He doesn’t want you. Get over it.”

  “He loves me!” she yells and hops down from the counter. “He loved me. Then you came around and ruined it.”

  Her eyes are bugging out of her head, and I’m beginning to worry that she’s on something. Again, I don’t even respond because it’d be pointless. She’s clearly sick in the head and arguing with her wo
uld only make it worse.

  She pulls at her hair and suddenly stops. I inch my way toward the door, but a splintering crack makes me scream. The first thing I see is Travis, then everyone else appears behind him.

  “I knew that was your voice, you psychotic bitch.” Charlotte pushes past Travis and grabs me by the arm. “She’s nuts. Pierce has told me stories,” she whispers to me.

  Meara comes running in next. “Damn it, Travis, I said I just needed to find the key. You didn’t need to break down the fucking door.”

  “Char was worried.” He shrugs unapologetically. “If she got hurt again, I’d like to see you explain that to Pierce.”

  “Explain what?” Pierce steps in past the broken door and finds me first, pulling me away from Char and against him. Then he spots Stacy. I’m pretty sure he calls her a cunt under his breath, but I can’t be positive since his mouth crushes against mine. He grabs me by my butt and lifts me up, forcing me against the wall. I wrap my legs around his waist and grab his hair with my fists.

  He slants his head, deepening our kiss on a growl. I get lost in him, in the way he demands everything from me, how he’s so rough but gentle at the same time. I forget people are in the room until a slow clap begins. I pull my head away, embarrassed, and tuck it into his neck. His heavy breaths match mine, and there’s no disguising the desire in his voice. “That’s what I want, Stacy. Her. Not you. Never you. Get the fuck out of here and never come back again. And don’t think about stepping foot in my gym either.”

  Meara laughs, and I bite my lip to keep from doing the same thing. I’d normally feel sorry for someone like Stacy but not anymore.

  “But you loved me. You have to have loved me to do what we did.”

  “What we did? First, I put a gag in your mouth to shut you the hell up. Second, I didn’t even know what love was until I met Ruby. I love her. Third, get the fuck out.”

  I hear the hitch in her throat, and I raise my head to look at her. She wipes the tears away from her eyes and crosses her arms over her chest. On her way out of the door, Brandon yells that he’ll follow her out.