Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
DK
Diablo closes out the speech by calling his family onto the stage. Good PR. The wholesome optics package. It earns him applause and a burst of camera flashes.
There are boos too. More than I’d like. The waterfront is the line that splits Bayside in half.
Luna stands off to the side, walkie-talkie in one hand, iPad in the other.
Wide-brim hat, partially covering her face.
White cotton dress, loose except for the drawstring cinched at her waist, the hem brushing above her knee.
Legs plump and silky soft. My dick stirs with the visceral memory of how they felt wrapped around my waist.
I drag my eyes away to get back to the job at hand. Diablo steps down from the stage, still smiling and waving. I intercept him before the press does.
“Was the booing as bad as it sounded?” he asks under his breath.
“It wasn’t good,” I tell him. “Stick to the script with reporters. Less is more. Smile. Arms around your family. The booing didn’t faze you. Par for the course. You respect voter concerns and look forward to showing them your new expansion plan.”
“Got it,” he says.
“We’ll regroup on Monday.”
Then I head back toward Neo.
“Your guy doesn’t seem that popular,” he says.
“Diablo polled better when voters thought there wasn’t an alternative.” I glance across the crowd to where Luna is fielding reporters. “Now there is.”
When they peel off to descend on Diablo, she fans herself with the iPad. It’s hot as hell today. I’ve only been here for an hour, and I’m already melting. She’s probably been on-site since sunrise.
My response is automatic. I grab a bottle of water from a vendor and cross the sand to her. Neo follows behind me.
“Here,” I say, twisting off the cap before handing it to her.
She looks up from beneath her brim. At me. Then Neo. Then back to me.
“Poisoning the competition?” She slides the walkie-talkie into her waist pouch to take the bottle.
“Too obvious,” I say, our eyes meeting. “Hydration’s a long game.”
“It’s hot enough to risk it.” Her teasing holds a double meaning, intended just for me. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.”
Her lips close around the tip of the bottle, her throat working on a swallow. The skin that I’ve tasted glows with a thin sheen of sweat.
Neo nudges my arm.
I blink, pulling myself back. “This is my brother, Neo. Neo, Rayne Webber.”
“I’ve never met a mayoral candidate before,” he says, thinking he’s smooth. “Beauty and brains. That would get my vote.”
“What about loyalty to your brother?”
“All’s fair in love.”
She grins and looks at me.
I feel it. That current between us.
A young woman in a yellow romper approaches, cheeks flushed from the heat, curly twists piled high.
“Hey, Soph,” Rayne greets her like they’re old friends.
“Hey.” Her gaze shifts to us, lingering on Neo. “I’m Sophia.”
“Dakarai,” I say. “And this is my brother Neo.”
Neo smiles. And because he’s never met a woman he didn’t turn on the charm for, he puts it on blast.
Sophia blushes while I catch Luna subtly checking out my legs.
“Gotta circle,” she says. “Soph, I’ll catch up with you later. Dakarai. Neo. Enjoy the festival.”
“Pleasure meeting you,” Neo says, then turns his attention back to Sophia.
While they chat, I step aside with Luna, keeping a professional distance, but lowering my voice. “Take a break.”
“I don’t have time.”
“A quick stop at a cooling station. You won’t be useful to anyone if you pass out.”
“Thanks for wearing shorts,” she murmurs. “Did I tell you thick thighs turn me on?”
Everything in me liquifies, but I stay focused. “I’m serious. Don’t make me worry about you.”
Her eyes soften. “Okay.”
“Promise?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Luna,” I warn.
She grins and walks off with a rolling finger wave like she didn’t just wreck my pulse.
When I return, Neo’s alone.
“What happened?” I look around. “You strike out?”
“Nah, bro. I had to shut that down.”
“Not interested?”
“I was. She’s gorgeous AF. But…” He shakes his head. “She’s ice cream and sprinkles. I can’t corrupt someone that sweet.”
“You really are an idiot,” I say, starting toward the pier.
“What?” He catches up. “That was a selfless act.”
Maybe it was because Neo isn’t built for innocence. “But how could you judge that in three minutes?”
“Radar, bro.” He taps his temple.
I don’t bother to respond.
“So… what’s up with you and the pretty candidate?” he asks.
“Nothing,” I say quickly.
“Didn’t see you tripping over yourself to bring anyone else water.”
“Kill your enemies with kindness,” I quip.
“You can’t fool me, brother man. I saw the way you looked at each other. The familiar banter. Smiles you think no one noticed. I clocked those vibes.”
“You’re reaching.”
“Nah. A lake house with Luna. Flirting with Rayne. You don’t multi-task women. So that can only mean one thing.”
I lengthen my stride, sand shifting under my shoes.
“Rayne is Luna.”
My steps falter.
And that’s enough to confirm what he already knows. I turn slowly, my expression sharp.
“I would never say anything,” he hastens to assure me. “But goddam, what kind of messed-up coincidence is that? You meet her on an app, then she’s here… running against your candidate.”
“I questioned that too.” I drag a hand over my sweat-damp face. “If you believe in fate, there you go. If not… I don’t know. But I’m damn glad it happened.”
He studies me closely. Too close. “She’s fine. Self-assured. A woman stepping into power. That’s some sexy shit. But I gotta ask… is this just a challenge you’re after? Missing that rush?”
I don’t blow him off. It’s a fair question. Once upon a time, that’s what it might have been. Back when I needed friction to feel something. The chase. The chaos.
Do I still crave that edge? Yeah.
Is she a substitute for it? No.
“It’s not about the rush,” I tell him. “It’s her.”
He waits like there’s supposed to be more. There isn’t.
“She’s not a game. Not a high. When I’m with her, everything just… settles.” I meet his eyes. “I’ve never had that before.”
“She really calm you down like that?”
“Yeah. She’s better than sleep meds or Gogo’s tea.”
He huffs a quiet laugh and squeezes my shoulder. “Then I’m happy for you, bro.”
With that, we fall back into step.
And mine feel a little lighter.