5. Drew
Drew
Years of life in the military have made me very cautious.
I do my best to be aware of everything around me.
That makes it easy to see the change in Pez.
He’s looking at my sister like she holds his balls in her hand.
That thought makes me grin. I can’t be here, but he can.
He can help Daphne. I don’t know what the fuck is going on, but I know she’s about as low as a woman can get.
I also see the way she keeps glancing at Pez and nervously tucking her hair behind her ear.
I can work with the way the two of them react to each other.
I want the best for my little sister and that’s something the idiot she married never tried to give her.
He was a waste of space from day one, but she wouldn’t listen to me when I tried to tell her.
Now, I just need to find out what he did to break my little sister’s spirit.
Then, I’m going to make sure I keep Pez connected to her.
Pez is one of the best men I know. I owe him a debt that I could never repay.
I know he’s been through hell with his ex.
He needs a good woman and my sister? She’s that and more.
Plus, she needs a man who will always have her back and protect her.
She’s never had that—especially since our father jumped the ship.
I’m not a matchmaker, but I think it’s about time I tried my hand at it.
“Okay, sis. Cammie’s asleep. It’s time for you to spill,” I murmur quietly as the silence in the cab echoes around us.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Drew,” she denies at once, but I hear the way her voice trembles.
“You can tell me now, or I’ll stay on you until you finally let it spill. Now would be a better choice cause Cam is asleep,” I say as I turn sideways in the passenger seat so I can carefully watch my sister.
“I don’t think this is the right time to talk about it, Drew. Maybe we can talk when we’re alone.”
“You’re safe here. Pez is like my brother. He wouldn’t say a word to betray us, especially you or Cammie. He’s going to be here to look over you when I can’t.”
I can see Pez look at me. I can actually feel his penetrating stare.
My lips spread into a half smile. His gaze turns to look at me.
He gives a slight nod. That’s the only proof I need.
He may not be able to right now, but Pez is drawn to my sister.
Given the fact that Pez hasn’t ever been a ladies man, plus he hasn’t looked at a woman since that bitch Nora ripped his heart out, I know what that means.
I like that Pez isn’t shying away from it.
He and I will need to talk sooner than later, but for now I know enough to know he’ll watch over my girls when I go back to the base.
“That’s not his job. Plus, I don’t know him—no offense, Pez.”
“None taken,” his gruff voice says. “If it helps, whatever you tell your brother, he’s going to tell me. I need to know, but I promise you it won’t go any further.”
Cammie’s head jerks and she narrows her eyes at Pez. “Why would my brother tell you about our private conversation?”
“Because he has to go back to California, but I’ll be here and I’m going to take care of you and little Cammie. You can think of me as a second brother, if it helps.”
I jerk slightly at his description. If he thinks he can friendzone my sister, he’ll need to recalculate.
Even I can feel the attraction between them.
It might be weird for a brother to say, but I want my sister to have a good man, and in my book, there’s none better than Pez.
As I turn my attention to my sister, I have to fight my grin as I see my sister’s eyes go wide.
“I don’t need anyone to take care of me. I’m a grown woman,” she huffs.
For almost the first time in my life—and definitely the first time since Nora fucked him over—I see Pez give an honest-to-God smile. “Trust me, I know you’re a woman not a child. I also know you need help and I’m going to be the man that gives you that.”
She stares at him a moment. “Why? You saved my brother. If anything, my family owes you—not the other way around. If you?—”
“I’m not doing it out of duty.”
“Then, why would you even bother? Besides, you’re not doing it all. I don’t want anyone taking care of my daughter or me. That’s my job and I’m doing it,” she says stubbornly.
“Argue if you want, but you won’t stop me,” he promises, and I cough to hide my laugh.
My sister gives Pez a hateful look, and I find myself sad that I won’t be around to watch what happens between the two of them.
She’ll be a good woman to Pez, if she lets herself.
I need to try and soften her heart a little toward him before I leave.
She may try to shut him out because he’s a biker and compare him to our father.
I need to make it clear that he’s not like that. I hope like hell I can.
“Your friend is weird,” she grumbles, still looking at Pez like she wants to knock some sense into him. Pez just laughs. “If you must know—not that it’s any of your business—Dane apparently has been cheating on me.”
“With who?” I ask, picking one question out of all of the ones that are swirling inside me, as anger fills me. I kind of expected her answer, but I was hoping like fuck I was wrong.
“The list is long, I think, since his latest conquest took great pleasure in telling me that she wasn’t the first, but for some delusional reason thinks she will be his last because she’s pregnant.
The bastard admitted to me that he’s been cheating on me just a couple of months after we got married because I don’t satisfy him.
He took great pleasure in telling me that in front of his latest whore. ”
“I’m going to fucking kill him,” I growl, anger like I’ve never known filling me.
“You’re not. He’s a lawyer. He’s got most of the court system in the palm of his hands. You know how small-town justice is. It all depends on who you know. The last thing you need is to get into trouble here.”
“Who’s your lawyer?” Pez asks. Apparently, he’s the only one of us thinking sane.
“I have several lawyers. The main one is a woman from Hyden.”
“What do you mean by several lawyers? Did you hire a firm? How did you afford that on your salary? Damn it, why didn’t you ask me for help, Cammie?
” I ask, angry that she’s trying to do it all on her own.
My sister decided to stay at home with Cammie when she was born.
She worked at a bakery when she got married.
She never wanted much out of life other than to be a mom and have a happy family.
It kills me that this fuck-wad destroyed that dream for her.
I should have suspected it when she went back to work about six months ago and put Cammie in daycare.
“Cap,” Pez warns, and I look at the tears that are glowing in my sister’s eyes. Shit.
“I’m sorry, Daphne. I’m just pissed at that asshole.”
“It’s okay,” she mutters dabbing at her eyes, while staring at her daughter.
I can only see a part of her face but the sadness there, guts me.
“I have a government agency—Legal Aide—helping me, so it’s not costing me anything.
They’re not the best, but it doesn’t matter.
Dane will get whatever he wants. His buddies in the system here will see to that.
Hell, he and his whore had dinner last week at the Circuit Judge’s house.
That’s the judge over our case. I’m prepared for the worst,” she says forlornly.
“You talk to his mistress?” I growl.
Daphne laughs, but the sound is anything but humorous. “I blocked her, but I still see her in town. She makes a point of coming into the bakery to taunt me often.”
“Who is she?” I ask.
The look that hits my sister’s face makes my gut clench.
There’s so much pain there, it’s plain to see.
It looks wrong on her face. There was a time when Daphne was nothing but smiles and laughter.
To see how broken and hurt she is, nearly destroys me.
The two of us have always been close and somehow, I feel as if I’ve failed her.
“That’s the kicker. It’s Serena.”
“You’re fucking kidding me,” I snap, my voice rising and causing Cammie to groan in her car seat.
“I wish I was,” she says quietly, tears thick in her voice. “Keep it down. You’re going to wake Cammie.”
“Who’s this Serena bitch?” Pez asks, his voice tight.
“My ex best friend,” Daphne answers, sounding as disgusted as I feel.
“Mommy?”
I watch through the mirror as Daphne wipes her eyes with the back of her hand, before turning to look at her daughter. “Yes, baby?”
“You sad?” Cammie asks, making my gut tighten.
“How can I be sad?” Daphne asks. If I didn’t know better, I’d even think she was happy. “I’ve got my baby with me and we’re going to have dinner with your uncle and his friend. I’m very happy.”
“I like Pez!” Cammie giggles.
“I like you too, Little One,” Pez says, his voice sounding gruff.
I grin. Yeah, Daphne and Cammie are going to be in good hands when I have to leave.
I just need to find a way to soften Daphne’s heart towards him before I go.
I’ll figure it out. I may have to tell her a little bit of Pez’s history, but hopefully he’ll forgive me.
If anyone deserves to be happy together it’s Pez and my sister.
I’m going to make sure they get the chance.