Before I can tell Destiny it isn’t going to happen, Britney and Sydnee walk into the bar, and Britney’s eyes immediately go to Destiny’s hand still holding mine. Fuck. I pull my hand from Destiny’s and take a drink from the glass she just handed me.
I can’t take my eyes off Britney. She’s dressed to kill in skin-tight jeans, a loose-fitting camisole sans bra, and her black leather knee-high boots that match the leather jacket she’s holding. If she decides to play pool, I may have to go to my car and grab a hoodie for her to wear. There’s no way in hell I’m letting her lean over a pool table so the shitheads in this place can check out her rack.
“Kade,” Destiny says my name as she steps into my line of sight. “Let’s fuck.” Her bluntness is normal. She’s never been one to beat around the bush, especially when it comes to sex.
“Can’t.”
6
Britney
“That fucking prick,” Sydnee grits out. Of course, I told her what happened earlier today. She’s my best friend. When I pull my eyes from the bartender and Kade and look over to my best friend, I see a fire in her eyes. Gripping her wrist before she has a chance to move, I silently beg her not to make a scene.
“Can I at least slap him?” she asks.
“Slap who?” Deacon asks as he steps between Sydnee and me, slinging an arm over each of our shoulders.
“Yo—”
“She was talking about the guy she was dating,” I interject, leaning forward to make eye contact with Syd. I trust her to keep her mouth shut at this point, and when she rolls her eyes, I know she’ll go along with my answer.
“I didn’t know you were dating someone,” Deacon comments.
“I’m not.”
“She’s not anymore,” I add.
“Come on. Let’s get a table.” He motions to Kade that we’re going to grab a table and receives a nod in return.
My brother chooses a table set pretty far back in a dimly lit corner of the pub. I’ll admit, it’s quieter here than if we sat at one of the high tables closer to the bar. In a way, I’m glad we’re not next to the bar. That means Kade’s gal pal won’t be waiting on us, and I won’t have to listen as he asks her to go home with him when it’s time to leave.
Damn him. Why did he kiss me?
Kade pulls out his chair and takes his seat next to my brother, which happens to be across from me. I didn’t think to sit across from my brother. So stupid. Kade’s deep brown eyes stay fixed on me, and if he doesn’t change their direction, Deacon will have something to say about it.
Finn makes his way over to our table to take our order.
“Hey, guys. What’ll you have?” Finn’s question is meant for all of us.
Deacon decides to take it upon himself to order for the entire table. Any other day, it would have bothered me, but my mind is on the kiss from earlier.
“I’ll have a Bulleit old fashion. From the look on Kade’s face, he’ll need another old fashion as well. Brit and Syd will each have Jameson shots with a pickleback, and an 805 beer.”
“So, what’s the deal? Are you finally going to step out of your little sis’s way and let her have a go with the asshat next to you?” Sydnee’s words catch us all off guard. What in the ever-living fuck did she just say?
“Ha! You’re funny,” my brother responds.
“Dead serious, D. What gives you the right to dictate who these two can and cannot date?”
I’m too shocked to intervene. Fighting with my brother is my least favorite thing to do, and Syd knows that. So why is she stirring the proverbial pot? Deacon studies Sydnee before his attention is on Kade and me.
“What in the fuck happened at the gym today?” Deacon growls. He’s not stupid, and because my so-called best friend had to go and open her trap, now he suspects there’s more to our encounter at the gym.
“Calm the hell down, bro. Nothing happened,” Kade answers with an unwavering tone.
Before I have a chance to speak, Finn returns with our drink order.
“You guys hungry?” Finn asks.
“No,” Deacon barks out.
“Please ignore my rude brother. We’re fine, Finn, thanks,” I apologize, finally finding my voice.
Sydnee and I have a shot glass in each hand, one with Jameson and the other with pickle juice. We clink our glasses together, tossing back the whiskey first, followed by the pickle juice. The uncomfortable silence is killing me, so I attempt to change the subject.
“Why are we here, D?” I ask, directing my question to my brother.
“Oh no you don’t. What happened at the gym?”
“Nothing happened. I fell off the stair climber. That is all.” I can feel my face getting hot, which means my temper is wavering. If my brother doesn’t drop it, we’re going to get into a shouting match, and then booted from the bar. It wouldn’t be our first time either.
“Wuss,” Sydnee whispers under her breath in my direction. I kick her ankle, warning her that if she makes this worse, I may be looking for a new best friend.
“Again, why are we here?” I ask once again.
Kade sits silently, and I notice his jaw clicking. He only does that if he’s pissed or worried. Right now, it could be either scenario.
“Do you remember when I told you about those robbers last week?” Deacon finally gives in and starts talking about the real reason we’re all here.
Me and Sydnee nod yes and wait for my brother or Kade to continue.
“They’re back, and we recently found out they have a connection to the Mexican cartel. This information changes things.”
“How?” Sydnee asks.
“When you have ties to a cartel or mafia, shit doesn’t end with you. If they find out who the snitches are, or which law enforcement officers are involved in any investigation—or worse, imprisonment of one of their guys—they go after their families.”
“Why are you guys involved? If they’re cartel, isn’t that FBI or DEA jurisdiction?” My voice falters. I’m proud of Deacon and Kade for their choice to protect and serve, but it doesn’t mean I don’t fear something terrible will happen. They deal with gang members every shift, but to add the cartel into the mix, that doesn’t sit well with me.
“We will be working with both. In the meantime, I want you both to be alert. Pay attention to your surroundings. And Brit, keep your mini arsenal with you at all times. If, and I do mean if, you come face to face with danger, shoot to kill.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“I can assure that he’s not,” Kade adds, joining the conversation. The “no bullshit” look on his face means that he and my brother are not fucking around.
“What about our parents and the Beaumont’s?”
“Don’t worry, sis. We have them covered.” Deacon’s answer doesn’t make me feel any better, but I trust him, so I don’t push him for further details.
“Syd, I’ll be signing over one of my Glocks to you. I want you to have a gun that won’t fail you, and it already has extended magazines, the ones that carry more rounds. I’ll also get you pepper spray and a taser,” Deacon informs Sydnee. She nods in agreement, but I sense her unease. Sydnee has never gone shooting with us because she has a fear of guns.