Dalton
TWO WEEKS LATER, I revisited the topic of family dinner. Despite a busy work schedule, Andi and I had had a blissful past few days, and with how deep I was falling for her, I wanted to fold her into my family. Since Andi had the day off, we’d spent the entire afternoon together shopping, then dinner and a movie.
Now we were home and thick in the middle of the same argument when the doorbell rang, so I grabbed my phone so I could see who was at the door. “Shit.”
“What?” Andi asked.
“It’s Samantha.”
“What? Why?” She smoothed her hair and pinched her cheeks. “What does she want?”
I chuckled. “Let’s find out, hmm?”
“I’ll just hang out here.”
I shook my head, but left her in the kitchen and made my way to the door. Pulling it open, I smiled at my sister. “Well, hi there, baby sister. What brings you by?”
“I’d like to talk to Andi,” she said, and shoved me gently so she could step inside.
“And what do you want to talk to her about?”
“None of your business, big brother.” She waved her hand. “Don’t worry, it’s not bad.”
I crossed my arms and frowned. “You gonna be nice?”
“I’m always nice.”
“Nice, nice, not Samantha nice,” I said.
“Ohmigod, do you and Pepper compare notes?”
“Yes.”
“Hi, Samantha,” Andi said, and I focused on her. She gave me a bolstered smile and I let myself relax a little.
“Hey, Andi. Sorry to pop by, but can we talk a minute?” Samantha raised an eyebrow toward me. “Alone?”
“Um, sure?” She ended her answer with a questioning tone and I was on alert again.
I closed the distance between us and wrapped an arm around her waist, kissing her temple.
“It’s okay, Dalton,” she whispered.
I gave her a reluctant nod and walked back into the kitchen.
* * *
Andi
I squared my shoulders and faced Dalton’s sister. She still scared me. Silly, maybe, but Samantha had been the ideal in high school (for a lot of girls), not to mention star football player Dalton Moore’s sister. She was a legend and she’d been intimidating back then… was still intimidating.
Samantha slid a lock of hair behind her ear and smiled. “I owe you an apology.”
“I’m sorry?”
“No, it’s me who should be saying sorry. I’ve been unkind to you and that’s really unacceptable. I jumped to conclusions and my need to protect Pepper kind of went on overdrive. I shouldn’t have assumed you were on Jet’s side. I should have given you the benefit of the doubt.” She stared at me for a few tense seconds and then sighed. “Will you forgive me?”
Okay, I wasn’t expecting that on any level. “Yeah… ah, yes… sure, Samantha.”
“I’m also here to invite you to Sunday dinner.”
“I—”
“She’ll be there,” Dalton said, sliding his hand around my waist.
I didn’t hear him approach and jumped a little. “Ah, yes… sure. Thanks.”
Samantha clapped her hands. “Great. Dalton can fill you in on times and such. I should get going. Kade’s waiting in the car with the kids.”
I was somewhat dumbfounded, so Dalton walked her out, disappearing onto the porch and pulling the door closed behind him. He returned several minutes later and locked up before taking my hand and lifting it to his lips.
“Did you make her do that?” I asked.
“I’m as surprised as you are. No, let me rephrase. Samantha usually does the right thing. It’s one of the things I love the most about her. She’s fiercely loyal and will kill anyone who threatens her family or friends, but if she’s in the wrong, she will always say so.” He smiled. “I’m not surprised she apologized… I just expected it would take her a little longer to realize her error.”
“She really is perfect,” I breathed out.
Dalton choked on a laugh. “Samantha is not perfect, sugar. She can hold a grudge for millennia… as evidenced today. Pepper is the same way, only she will eviscerate you with her words and then hold the grudge. Samantha will simply plot your death in silence.”
“Will Samantha still plot my death do you think?”
“No. If she apologized, it’s done.”
I sighed. “She’s nicer than me.”
“I’ll also correct you on that one, Andi.”
“Thanks, honey.” I dropped my head to his chest. “You seem to always make me feel better.”
“That’s my job.”
“You’re acing it.”
He chuckled. “Good to know.”
I smiled up at him. “Wanna make out on the sofa?”
“Hell, yeah.”
I grabbed our wine and we commenced make out time.
* * *
Dalton
I was on wine and dessert duty for Sunday family dinner, so I headed into Publix to grab my list before picking Andi up. As I headed toward the check-out lines, I saw a familiar face walking toward me who had unfortunately seen me, so I couldn’t pretend otherwise.
“Dalton Fuckin’ Moore,” Jeremy Roth yelled out. “How the hell are you, man?”
Fuck!
I gave him a chin lift. “Hey, Jeremy.”
“I thought you were in Scotland.”
“Been back for a few weeks now.”
Jeremy slapped me on the shoulder. “We should get together and have a beer. Catch up.”
“Pretty slammed right now. Not sure I’ll have time.”
“Yeah? You a whipped man?”
Dickhead.
“Dad had a heart attack,” I said.
Jeremy coughed, stepping from one foot to the other. “Oh, man, sorry.”
“I should get goin’.”
“Yeah, man, sure.”
I stepped into line and headed back to my car after I paid.
“Dalton, wait up, man!”
I heard Jeremy’s voice just as I set the groceries in the backseat of my car. Forcing down the desire to beat the shit out of Andi’s ex, I turned and faced him. “What do you need, Jeremy?”
“I won’t keep you. Just really hoped we could figure out a time for that beer.”
“Look, man. Not tryin’ to be a dick here, but there isn’t a scenario on this earth where you and I will ever sit down for a beer and catch up. You were an asshole in high school, you treated Andi like shit, which indicates you’re still an asshole, so me spending any amount of time with you on purpose just isn’t gonna happen.”
“What the fuck? Andi got what she deserved. She’s a bit—”
Before he could get the word out, I leaned forward and delivered a short, controlled punch to the mid-sternum, effectively knocking the wind out of him, therefore rendering him speechless. Jeremy grasped his stomach and fell against the car I was parked next to. “You ever refer to her as anything other than perfect; I’ll rip your trachea from your throat,” I warned, calmly. Lethally.
“You fuckin’ her?” Jeremy panted out, still trying to catch his breath.
“Watch your language,” I demanded. “Walk away, Jeremy. Save what dignity you have left.”
I slid into my car and backed out, barely missing Jeremy who was still flopped against the other car like a pussy. I headed toward Andi’s debating on whether or not I’d share this incident with her.
* * *
Andi
I pulled open the door and accepted Dalton’s kiss (no hello, no words, just his lips on mine), wrapping my arms around his neck as he lifted me off my feet and backed me into the house, kicking the door shut behind us.
“Hi,” I said, stroking his cheek after I broke the kiss
“Hey, sugar.”
I frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“What makes you think something’s wrong?”
“I don’t know… you just seem different.”
Dalton sighed, setting me back on my feet. “Small issue at Publix.”
“What kind of issue?” I challenged. “We were supposed to go together, remember?”
“I figured I’d grab everything so you didn’t have to.”
“Did you get flowers for your mom?”
He frowned. “No.”
“Then we have to go back,” I said.
“She doesn’t need flowers.”
“I’m not going to your parents’ home without something for your mother.”
He sighed. “Okay, sugar, we’ll go back.”
“So, what happened?” I asked, and Dalton filled me in.
“What?” I squeaked, and covered my mouth with my hands. “You hit him?”
“You have a problem with that?”
“Only insomuch as you didn’t maim him permanently, yes.”
Dalton chuckled. “I’m not really lookin’ to get an assault charge on my squeaky-clean record, sugar, but he got the message.”
I fell against him and wrapped my arms around his waist. “My knight in shining armor.”
“I don’t know that I’ll be as nice if I run into him again.”
“I give you permission to hurt him.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes. He’s a bully.”
“He is a bully,” Dalton agreed.
I sighed. “I just don’t understand why people feel the need to be so evil. Aren’t we all trying to live our lives? Jeremy found great pleasure in taking everything from me. I would have shared just to get out from under his thumb.”
“The truth is, we’re all trying to get a piece of the pie. There’s only so much pie, but you’ve gotta take it with class… never let ’em see you coming and don’t be a dick.”
“Are you going to quote Roadhouse to me now?” I retorted.
Dalton chuckled. “You don’t always have to be nice, Andi, but you should never be a dick. And he’s a dick.”
“This is very, very true,” I agreed.
He pulled away and smiled. “You look beautiful, sugar. I should have started with that.”
I glanced down at my dark jeans, booties, and cardigan covering a lace cami. “Is this okay? I wasn’t sure what the dress code was.”
“Anything works, baby.”
“That’s not true, baby,” I countered. “I couldn’t show up in sweats or lingerie—”
“Is lingerie an option?” he asked. “’Cause you can wear lingerie anytime you want to.”
I huffed. “Dalton, I’m serious. Are you sure this is okay?”
“Yeah, sugar, you’re perfect.”
“I wasn’t going for perfect,” I retorted.
“Well, too bad. You nailed it.”
I rolled my eyes, even as I raised up on tiptoes to kiss him. “You’re ridiculous.”
“If we’re gonna stop at the store, we better get going.”
“I’m ready,” I assured him. “I’ll just grab my purse.”
We locked up and headed to the store. I hemmed and hawed in the floral department for a good fifteen minutes before Dalton grabbed a bouquet of something colorful and dragged me to the checkout. “Those look cheap,” I whispered, not wanting to offend anyone who might work there.
“She’ll love them.”
“Dalton,” I snapped.
He turned to face me with a grin. “She’ll love them,” he repeated.
“I just want to make a good impression.”
“You already have, sugar. Trust me.”
“Well, if she hates the flowers, you’ll need to say you bought them,” I grumbled.
“I am buying them.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Andi.”
“Dalton,” I mimicked as I slid them out of his hands. “Nice try, bub. I’m buying them.”
He took them back. “Where’s your purse?”
“Shit.” I’d left it in the car.
He gave me a triumphant grin and pulled out his wallet.
“I’ll pay you back.”
“No you won’t,” he countered, and pulled me into line with him, wrapping an arm around my waist.
“Yes, I will.”
“Admit it,” he said. “You left your purse in the car on purpose so I’d have to pay.”
“I would never do that,” I said.
“FBI, sugar, remember?”
I grinned up at him. “Boobs, honey, remember? I obviously don’t need a wallet.”
“You offerin’ to show me?” His eyes widened. “Now? In the middle of a supermarket? Andrea Rivers, I thought you weren’t that type of a girl.”
I could feel the heat creep up my neck and I smacked his arm playfully. “I hate you.”
He chuckled and pulled me closer, kissing my temple.
We were up next, so our conversation was thankfully cut short by needing to pay for the flowers. Dalton didn’t bring up the boob comment again and I appreciated it. I really wasn’t that kind of girl and as attracted to him as I was, I knew if we started something, I’d never be able to stop.
Pulling up to the Moores’ home, I took a couple of deep breaths in an effort to bolster my nerves. After turning off the car, Dalton took my hand and lifted it to his lips, kissing my palm. “Relax.”
I wiggled my shoulders and he raised an eyebrow.
“What?” I challenged. “I’m trying to relax.”
He smiled. “Okay, baby. You do you.”
He climbed out of the car and came to my side to open my door. I let him help me out and then he grabbed our supplies, handing me the flowers.
Before we reached the front door, Melanie appeared, her arms out as she pulled me into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Hi, Mrs. Moore.”
“Oh, honey, call me Melanie… or Mel. None of this Mrs. stuff.”
“Okay,” I whispered, and kind of shoved the flowers at her. “These are for you.”
“How did you know these are my favorite?”
“Dalton helped.”
“No I didn’t. That was all Andi,” he countered, and hugged her. “Hi, Mama.”
“Hi, baby.” She ushered us into the foyer. “Everyone’s in the kitchen.”
“Unca!” Liam squealed and ran for him.
Still holding the food and wine, Dalton scooped the toddler up and kissed him. “Hey, buddy. How’s my wee lad?”
“I’m playing checkers with Da. I’m winning.”
“Excellent. Are you trying all my tricks?”
“Aye, Unca.”
“Good boy. You want to meet someone really special?”
He nodded and turned his curly blond head toward me. “My name’s Liam,” he said in the most adorable Scottish accent. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
I smiled and took his outstretched hand. “My name’s Andi. It’s nice to meet you, too.”
Dalton set him down and he jogged back to the kitchen.
“You good?” Dalton asked, and stroked my cheek.
“I’m good.”
Taking my hand, he led me to the large island where everyone had congregated. A dark-haired man I’d never seen was taking a swig of beer and Dalton stalled. “What the hell are you doin’ here?”
“Surprise,” he said with a laugh and pulled Dalton in for a man-hug, effectively breaking our connection.
“Andi, this is Cole,” Dalton provided.
Cole wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. “Dang you’re pretty.”
“Let her go, asshole,” Dalton warned, but I didn’t miss the fact he did it quiet enough so only the two of us could hear. Cole let me go and Dalton claimed me again, handing the bag to Cole. “Make yourself useful, and put this away.”
Cole chuckled and set the dessert on the counter. Dalton took a few minutes to reintroduce me to the rest of his family and then got me a glass of wine. I may or may not have guzzled it… I couldn’t remember, but I noticed Dalton filled it again relatively quickly.
I relaxed in stages, but quicker than I typically did and it had nothing to do with the wine. Dalton’s family was amazing. I fell in love with them, even big, scary Kade.
Once dinner was over, Jimmy had been forced to bed, leaving Melanie, Samantha, and me to dish out dessert. As I handed Kade his plate, our hands touched and all time stood still. Flashes of men in historical costume engaging in hand-to-hand combat flooded my mind. The clash of swords and the screams of men dying were so loud I tried to block them out by covering my ears. I could smell blood and death as though I was there. Just as quickly as the images appeared, they changed to those of Aspen, bound and beaten on a dirty mattress in a dark, dank space.
I screamed as Dalton’s arms wrapped around me and then everything went black.
* * *
Dalton
“Shite!” Kade snapped as I caught Andi before she crumpled to the floor. I settled her gently on the sofa while Kade set his plate on the side table.
Melanie rushed into the room, her expression one of concern. “What’s happened?”
“I don’t know.” My heart was in my throat as I slid Andi’s hair away from her face.
“Let me check her,” Samantha demanded, and grabbed Andi’s wrist. “Her pulse is racing.” Samantha stared up at Kade and then nodded. “Mom, can you help me, please?”
“Sure, honey.”
Samantha led their mother into the kitchen and I frowned up at Kade. “What’s going on?”
Kade hunkered down beside the sofa. “We need to get her home.”
“Why? What the hell is going on?” I demanded.
Before Kade could respond, Andi sat up with a gasp. Kade reached to steady her, but she shied away. “Don’t touch me.”
I put myself between Andi and Kade, pulling her close. “I’ve got you, sugar.”
“What’s going on?” Andi asked Kade.
“We can’t talk here,” Kade said.
“What do you mean we can’t talk here?” I snapped.
“What’s going on?” Andi rasped.
I leaned forward. “You need to start talkin’, Kade.”
“This is not the right place,” Kade insisted.
“So, this is…?” I asked.
“Aye.”
“Shit,” I breathed out.
Andi pushed off the sofa, avoiding Kade. “Take me home, Dalton.”
“You need to be careful,” Kade warned.
“I am careful,” Andi countered.
“Okay, baby, let’s get you home,” I said, and stood.
“I’ll fill Melanie in,” Kade offered.
I nodded and gathered our outerwear and we headed out.