“Sorry.” Rayna waves at us, eyes glossing over. “I gotta go.” She pushes the front door open and disappears.
Emmie looks at me, no doubt feeling as I do—the need to go after our devastated friend.
“It’s okay.” I touch Emmie’s shoulder. “I won’t be long. I’ll meet you back at the house.” I usher her to follow Rayna.
“All right, call if you need a ride. I’m sure that I’ll be up for a while babysitting Rayna after she polishes off a bottle, or two, of wine. This sucks. I’m going to kill Jax for not telling me about Slate sooner. I could have prepared her.” She sighs. “Tell Token I said hi,” she says before heading out the door after Rayna.
“Sure thing.” I shift my eyes back over to my brother. His grin gets bigger. Damn, with his huge muscular form, dark tee, chain hanging from his beat-up jeans, not to mention, the tatt on his neck and on nearly every inch of both arms, he fits right in at JZS. I hate his beard. I tell him that all the time, but he says the chicks dig it. I’m not one of those “chicks.” I like my men clean-shaven. Of course, Zeke’s the exception. Sometimes, he’s a little scruffy, but I have to admit that I like it on him. Heck, I like anything on that man. I can only imagine that I’d like nothing on him too.
“Hey, Lulu,” Token says as I make my way to him.
“What are you doing here?” I grab his beard and give it a tug.
He laughs, and it’s nice to hear that deep familiar sound. It reminds me of home. “Ma told me that you’d be here for the summer. I had some time off and was passing through, heard about this place from a buddy of mine, thought I’d check it out.” He tosses a heavy tatted arm over my shoulders. “And I wanted to see my little sis.” He smiles and his hazel eyes sparkle beneath long dark lashes as he looks around, pulling me closer. “Was gonna call ya tomorrow.” He leans down to my ear and lowers his voice. “Gotta say, though, I didn’t think that I’d find my little sis in a place like this.”
I notice the shiner on his left eye. I’m not sure what Token does for a living because he doesn’t talk about it. He used to box, but a few years ago, he quit and then he started showing up around the holidays with new toys, a motorcycle, a Maserati, and for the past three years, he’s bought my parents a vacation at some exotic resort for Christmas. My brother Stone topped him last year, though, when he gave them a two-week vacation to Ireland; Mom has family there. Boys, they’re so competitive. I got my parents a new Keurig and they love me just the same.
I glance at the shiner again. “I’d hate to see the other guy,” I tease, tugging the soft whiskers on his chin again.
He smiles, teeth showing as if proud with himself. Boys!
He looks up. “Well, it looks like you’re gonna get the chance.” He stares straight ahead chest rising as he holds that humongous stupid grin.
I follow his eyes and my heart drops to my belly. Face cut and bruised with his eyes dangerously directed at my brother, Zeke is heading straight for us.
“You fought here, tonight?” I flash to Token, quickly understanding what’s going on. “In the ring?”
“Yeah.” Token nudges his head at Zeke, smile widening.
“Did you fight him?”
“I sure did.” He steps in front of me. “And it looks like the lad maybe wants to go another round.”
I peek at Zeke from around my brother’s broad shoulders. His dark eyes narrow. Oh no, this can’t be good. Token moves me back behind his huge frame and holds me there with his firm grip. Shit! I know how boys are—they fight first and talk later. I grab Token’s tense muscular bicep. The tension pulsates beneath my fingers. He’s preparing for a fight.
“Lurlene,” I hear Zeke’s deep voice. I sway to the side to peer up at him. Now standing a few inches from Token with his fists clenched at his sides. He’s way too close to my pumped brother. Without looking at me, eyes like daggers and ready to release onto Token, he asks, “You okay?”
“Yes.” I clear my throat and feel Token’s muscles relax a little. Recognizing the concern in Zeke must have shut him down. God knows it did me. I didn’t expect him to come running to my rescue. He probably thinks Token is some kind of unwanted guest. “Ah,” this time when I try to move, Token allows it, “this is my brother, Token.”
“Yeah, Lulu,” Token says with a gruff laugh, “we met. He just kicked my ass in the ring.” My brother is many things but contrite isn’t one of them.
“Lulu.” Zeke’s expression lightens, and his eyes revitalize when he lets out a short chuckle.