Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
“ T hank you,” Serenity said, hugging Granny George. “Gemma’s gonna love it.”
“Of course she will,” Granny George declared. “If a body doesn’t like my pie, it’s not the pie’s fault. Some of God’s children weren’t given the brains of a chicken.”
Luca covered his chuckle with a badly faked cough, and Serenity tried to draw Granny George’s attention. “Again, everything was delicious. Have a good night!” She pushed the door with her back, hung onto the pie with one hand and yanked on Luca with the other.
He quickly complied and rushed them out the door and into the cooling night air. “I thought she’d never stop talking,” he said as they headed down to the car.
“She did seem in a mood to chat tonight,” Serenity agreed. “But she is right. If people don’t like her pie, I don’t think the pie is the problem.”
Luca rubbed his stomach. “I ate too much.”
Serenity opened her eyes extra wide. “I didn’t know there was such a thing! Are you sure?” She poked him in the side, squinting. “I thought there was a bottomless pit in there.”
“Easy.” Luca grabbed her finger and adjusted their hands so he was holding hers with their fingers intertwined.
“What, are you ticklish?” She wracked her brain. “I don’t remember you being ticklish.”
“I’m not,” he confirmed. “But you know what they say about poking the bear…”
“Teddy bears are pretty docile,” Serenity teased. She waited while he opened the door to the truck, then climbed into the passenger seat, gasping when Luca leaned in and pinned her against the seat.
“Grizzlies are one of the most dangerous animals in the world,” he whispered in his gravelly tone. Leaning in farther, Luca ran his nose along her jawline, pushing slightly so she would tilt her head the other direction.
Serenity had no trouble complying, shivering when he left a soft kiss just under her ear. “Grizzlies have hair,” she rasped.
Luca’s perusal of her skin stopped, and a moment later, he began to chuckle, pulling back from her neck.
Serenity smiled and turned to look at him.
“So do teddy bears,” he retorted.
Serenity reached up to rub his head, which was just slightly prickly from growth. “Not well loved ones.”
Luca’s lip curled into the most boyish smile ever, and Serenity couldn’t help but return it. “You’re good for me, Serenity Michaels.”
“And you make me happy, Luca McCoy.”
He gently gripped the back of her neck, and for several long moments, Serenity found herself in a blissful haze of Luca’s adoration. It was quickly becoming her favorite place to be, and every time she came to reality, it seemed a little more dull.
“We better get that pie to Gemma before I get hungry again and eat it.”
Serenity rolled her eyes, but began to buckle her seatbelt. “You just told me you ate too much.”
“That was five minutes ago,” he said, grabbing the truck door. “Keep up.”
She laughed softly as he shut the door and walked around to the driver’s side.
Ten minutes later, they pulled into the driveway of an apartment complex. “Do you remember which one is hers?” Luca asked as he parked in a visitor’s slot.
“2D,” Serenity replied. “At least, I think that’s what she said at the meeting the other night.” She frowned. “I should have written some of this stuff down.”
“At least we’re in Lighthouse Bay,” Luca said. “The apartment complex isn’t very big, so it shouldn’t be that hard to find her if we’re wrong.” He hopped out and came around to get Serenity.
She loved how he made a point of being such a gentleman with her. She never had to worry about him trying to push their relationship too far, and he always made sure she was safe and taken care of. It was a heady feeling, one which none of her other dates had ever managed to replicate.
“What are you thinking so hard about?” he asked as he helped her down.
“Nothing much. Just wondering when our world decided that men acting nice was such a bad thing.”
Luca paused. “I’ve met a lot of men who think being nice is a weakness,” he said softly, as if not truly speaking to her.
“Really?” Serenity frowned. “I thought most guys in the military were the good ones.”
Luca locked the truck, then took her hand and began walking. “Most are. But they also get the rough ones with dirty mouths and no self control. Plenty of parents send their kids off…particularly boys…hoping the military will knock some sense into the wild ones.”
“And does it?” They began to climb an outside staircase.
Luca shrugged one large shoulder. “Depends on the person. Some are willing to listen and grow, some aren’t.” He glanced sideways at her. “I don’t think it’s that different from regular life. We only change when we’re willing to, and some of us start with a chip on our shoulder that makes it harder.”
Serenity nodded. “I suppose that’s true.” She sighed. “Sometimes I wonder why it’s all so complicated.”
Luca gave her hand a light squeeze. “Everything worthwhile is complicated.” At the top of the stairs, he tugged her to the right. “Here we are.” Luca knocked firmly a few times.
Serenity shivered slightly. The spring day had cooled off, and night was approaching, taking with it the meager heat their small town had managed this afternoon.
“Should’ve brought my coat,” Luca muttered. “You could have used it.”
“Or I should have brought mine ,” Serenity corrected just as the door opened.
“Dude,” Tate said with a frown. “What are you doing here?” He looked down. “Oh, hey, Little Sis. Long time, no see.”
Luca scowled. “What are you doing?” he demanded.
Tate rolled his eyes and walked away from the door. “Gem, I think Serenity brought you something to eat. But she also brought Luca, so…it’s fifty-fifty if it was worth it.”
“Be nice,” Gemma hissed, getting up off the couch.
“I’m always nice,” Tate argued, plopping down near Gemma’s bundle of blankets.
“That’s extremely debatable,” Gemma tossed over her shoulder before smiling at her waiting guests. “Hey, Ser.”
Serenity gently returned the hug.
“It’s nice to see you again.” Gemma put her hands on her hips and looked up. “Are you a hugger?” She jabbed a finger over her shoulder. “Your brother is, but I don’t know if he’s just weird, or if it runs in the family.”
Serenity blinked several times, trying to keep up with Gemma’s rapid fire talk, but it appeared that Luca didn’t miss a beat.
“I’m not much of a hugger, but if it would help you feel better, I’m happy to offer one.”
Gemma put her hand over her heart and turned to Serenity. “He’s a keeper, Ser. Don’t let this one go.”
If his neck got any hotter, Luca was going to be able to sear a steak on it. He rubbed it, stretching his neck from side to side while Serenity laughed.
“Big teddy bears are usually worth holding onto,” she said, her smile too wide to be innocent as she looked up at him.
Luca narrowed his eyes just enough to let her know he’d get her back for that. His resolve for revenge got stronger when Tate guffawed from the couch.
“Teddy bear?” Leaning forward, Tate rested his elbows on his knees. “Little Sis, have you ever tried to pin this guy to the floor? It’s like taking down a national monument.”
“I think that says more about you than Luca,” Gemma shot off, winking when she looked back at Serenity and ignoring Tate’s outraged howl. “Goodness. Where are my manners? Come on in, you two. We’ll end up with a house full of mosquitoes and moths in a minute.”
Luca shuffled in behind Serenity and shut the door quickly. He still wasn’t quite sure why Tate was here, but it was clear that he and Gemma were good friends…or were they friends? Was it possible they were something more? Would Tate have shared that?
“We brought you pie,” Serenity said, handing the styrofoam box to Gemma.
“I love pie,” Gemma gushed, taking the treat. “Thank you.” She grinned. “Please tell me it’s from Granny George.”
“With a side of unsolicited advice and all,” Serenity drawled.
Gemma cackled and did a little jig with her feet. “That makes it perfect.” She sauntered toward the small kitchen in the back. “That woman is my idol. I want to be just like her.”
“You want to be older than the hills and unable to carry on a relevant conversation?” Tate called out. “High goals there, Gem.”
Gemma waved her acquired fork in the air. “And just for that, no pie for you.”
“What?” Tate shouted. “I came over just to check on you tonight, and this is how you treat me?”
“You just told me my dream is dumb.” Gemma sat down on the pile of blankets. “Why should I give you pie?”
Folding his arms over his chest, Tate scowled and pouted like a little kid denied his favorite treat.
Luca tried not to grin, but he couldn't help it. It might have been one of the best moments of his life to see his brother brought down a notch or two.
“Have a seat,” Gemma said, waving toward a couple of matching chairs. Then she held out a forkful of pie to Tate. “Here, ya big baby.”
Tate’s grin was a little too smug for Luca’s liking as he ate the bite right from Gemma’s fork.
Yeah…there was definitely something going on there.
“How are you feeling?” Serenity asked as she sat down on the edge of the chair. Luca knew immediately she didn’t plan to stay for long.
He didn’t mind that one bit. Time away from here was time with Serenity alone…besides, he had a question for her. One that had been churning in his head since earlier that morning.
Gemma shrugged a shoulder and finished chewing her bite. “Fine, I guess.” She made a face. “I’ve never hurt someone like that before, and it was scary to find someone in my shop, even though he was a young kid.” She blew out a breath. “I was just glad no one else was there yet. It would have been worse if my employee had been around.”
Luca nodded solemnly. He glanced at his brother. Tate was solely fixed on Gemma as she spoke. Did he have any idea how he looked? Any fool could see that Tate was completely in love, and Luca didn’t really think of himself as the type of person to notice those kinds of things.
He’d have to speak to Tate later.
“That would’ve been worse,” Serenity agreed. “Are you comfortable sharing what happened at the station? Are you going to get in trouble?”
Gemma shook her head, the pie settling in her lap. “I think we’re okay. I was in shock when Grady came and completely forgot I have security cameras in the store.”
Luca didn’t miss Tate’s scowl at Gemma’s familiar use of Officer Montoya’s first name. Yeah…his brother was gone.
Serenity sighed. “That’s good. Really good.” She shook her head. “I just can’t quite figure out what’s happening to our street. The guy who attacked my store wasn’t that old either, though I think he was over eighteen.” She looked at Luca, and he nodded his confirmation.
“The question is, were there drugs involved?” Luca asked softly. “Serenity’s thief was high. I didn’t get the same feeling with yours. The visible signs weren’t there.”
Gemma pressed her lips into a tight line and slowly shook her head. “I don’t know, and I didn’t think to ask. I’m sorry.” She blinked several times, and Luca’s heart sunk. She wasn’t ready to talk about it. It was time to go.
“Hey,” Tate whispered, rubbing Gemma’s back. “It’s okay, remember? You’re safe now, you defended yourself like a ninja, and now we’re sharing pie. It’s okay.”
Luca’s lips twitched.
“A glass ball wielding ninja?” Gemma choked on a watery laugh. “And what do you mean we’re sharing pie? I gave you one bite, Tate. One. I never said you could have more.”
Tate poked out his bottom lip and batted his eyelashes. “What if I said pretty please? You know marionberry is my favorite.”
Luca caught Serenity's eye after watching Gemma roll hers at Tate’s antics. He tilted his head slightly toward the door, and she nodded, her lips twitching in amusement.
“I think we’ll head out,” Serenity said, standing up. “I just wanted to check on you and let you know you’re not alone.” She walked across the small space and bent down to give Gemma a quick hug. “I’ll get that texting thread put together tonight so we can all keep up to date better with each other, and we’ll work on planning the next watch meeting, okay?”
“Sounds good, thank you,” Gemma said with a smile.
Serenity punched Tate’s shoulder.
“Hey!” he cried. “What was that for?”
“Be nice,” Serenity scolded. “And let Gemma have her pie. She deserves it.”
Luca waited by the door, not bothering to hide his grin.
“If I’d known trying to check on a friend would end up with me being beat to a pulp, I’d have thought twice,” Tate grumbled, rubbing his shoulder as if he were truly hurt.
“And yet you’d still have come,” Gemma said with complete confidence.
Tate made a face. “Probably. It was either hang with you or hang with Jett. He definitely doesn’t have any pie at home.”
Serenity laughed. “Night, you two.”
With that, Luca ushered them out the door. He was grateful for the cool breeze. That room had been getting warmer by the minute.
“Your brother is a goner,” Serenity whispered as they descended the staircase.
Luca grinned. “Yep.”
“You didn’t know, did you?”
“Nope.” Luca shook his head.
“This is going to become your main source of teasing, isn’t it?”
Luca looked over and took Serenity’s hand, bringing it to his lips. “Absolutely,” he agreed. “And it’s about time.”