Page 26 of Fearless
“Man, I dunno how you can do that.” Benji broke the silence that had fallen over the table. “Knowing my girl was spending the night with another man? I’d wanna punch through walls.”
“That’s ‘cause you just grew hair on your balls last week and don’t understand shit.” I stuck the cigar back in my mouth and picked up my hand of cards, trying to remember what my strategy was while the blood drained from my dick and returned to my brain.
When my gaze slid over to Gunner, he was just as entranced with his five-card hand as the whole time Mari was here. I saw her stealing glances at him, but he stayed mum like a coward and didn’t so much as look at her. She was only hoping for a hello from her friend, even my caveman ass could see that. And for him to ignore her was just rude as hell.
No one was a dick to my woman besides me, and that was only accidentally. Especially not my captain of the guard.
“You’re awfully quiet there, Gun.” I couldn’t help but goad him. “Couldn’t even say hello to our medic?”
“I’m not in the mood, Reap.” He bit the phrase out with an edge of warning. The falcon on his shoulder turned its sharp gaze on me.
“Not in the mood?” I repeated. “For what, to not be a dick? You two were all buddy-buddy up until you got back from Colorado, now you’re acting like she has the plague.”
“Just stop. Can we play this fucking game or what?”
Nah, fuck that. He kept hurting my girl’s feelings and I wasn’t about to let him blow me off like he did her. I snatched the cards from his hands and tossed them over my shoulder, letting them flutter across the patio while he stared at me with an incredulous face.
“What the fuck, Reaper?”
“I asked you a question, captain,” I growled. “I expect an answer.”
Benji and the other kid mumbled excuses as they set their cards down and slunk away from the table. I wasn’t entirely sure what was about to happen, but they were smart not to stick around.
“I didn’t hear any question that warranted an answer.” Gunner pushed his chair back noisily as he stood. “Just a bunch of chest-thumping bullshit from some asshole who doesn’t know how to treat a woman.”
“Ah, now we’re fuckin’ getting somewhere.” I stood and blocked his path, Hades alert and ready at my side. “Was that not a happy woman at my side just now? What makes you think I’m not treating her right?”
“Reaper, come on,” Gunner sighed. “I don’t want to have beef with you. Just leave me out of it.”
“Oh no. You’re in it, golden boy, whether you like it or not.” I stepped closer, my boots nearly touching his. He was a few inches taller than me, but skinnier. I didn’t particularly want to come to blows either, but I could hold my own if it came to that. “You accuse me of mistreating my woman, you better give me a good fucking reason.”
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” His laidback, sunny demeanor finally burst into flames. “You’re pimping Mari out to Jandro, now you’re trying to throw her at me too? She deserves better than that, you fucking pig!”
My hands shot out and shoved against his shoulders faster than I could think. He stumbled backward a few steps, eyes wide and mouth agape in surprise. I stepped in again, closing the distance quickly. Whether out of shock or restraint, he didn’t try to hit me back, but I could see how much he wanted to.
“You don’t understand the first fucking thing you’re talking about,” I hissed close to his face. “Remember how hurt she was when I didn’t talk to her? Well, you’re doing that right fucking now, and I’m calling you out on itbecauseI love her. I’m putting my ego aside and trusting her with everything I am. I’m expanding her options for love and pleasure, andI’mthe asshole?” I shook my head at him in disappointment. “You think you know what she deserves? Well, it’s a hell of a lot better than you.”
I stubbed out my cigar and walked off, Hades trotting at my side.
Ten
MARIPOSA
Iwalked up the driveway to Jandro’s shop just as he was pulling the garage door closed.
“HeyMariposita,” he grinned at me. “I was starting to wonder if you changed your mind.”
“Why?” I asked. “I didn’t keep you waiting, did I?”
“Nah, just, you know.” He gave a sheepish shrug. “I know you’ve got options.”
“Oh, stop that,” I scolded. “I told you I’d come over, so that’s what I’m doing.”
“That might be common sense to you and me.” He towered over me, grabbing both of my hands in his. “But it’s not so common these days.”
“That’s a damn shame.” I looked up at him, resisting the urge to kiss those pillowy lips of his. “And still, it’s not just that. I’ve beenwantingto see you outside the shop.”
In the fading daylight I couldn’t tell if he was blushing, but he looked adorably speechless all the same. A rarity for the quick-tongued vice president.
