Page 185 of Lau Ahi
“I’m glad to hear you say that,mi amor.” Alec’s smile was broad as he watched her but hers fell as she realized he was speaking about her.
“No! You again? Ori, get your dog.”
“Jemma Marie, I know you didn’t just call that man a dog.” Yacouba sat forward like he was about to fuss at her like the big brother he felt he was to all of us. I knew he’d gotten more practice since having Yasar. I for damn sure knew he wasn’t bossin’ Jasmine around. That’s why he had to constantlynighty-nighther to get what he wanted.
“I’m not offended friend. I’m very much a dog with getting what I want. I’m as loyal as one as well.” Alec licked his lips like he could taste Jem’s disdain of him in the air and he liked that shit.
None of my friends are normal either.
She scoffed and folded her arms on her lap and despite how ladylike she looked I knew she was probably positioning herself to reach for a weapon. “More like a dog in heat.”
Alec grinned and scooted forward like he was two seconds away from launching himself at her. Every man in the room braced themselves. I saw Smoke reach into his jacket waiting on the word to put Alec down.
“Once I get on a scent I’m not one to let it go.”
“Too bad things are gonna have to be different with me now aren’t they? I’m not some bitch to be caught.”
“No, you’re a lady to be won. To be wooed. To be adored.”
Jem blinked rapidly before she let the polite mask of southern gentility settle back on her face. Couba looked at me with his brows raised silently screaming,did you see thatand I nodded back my affirmation. Alec had Jem shook and not in a bad way.
“And with that gentlemen, I think I’m done for the day. I’ve spoken far more words than necessary. Let me get back to being the obedient mute happy to sit at mytante’sfeet and revel in my freedom. Y’all be easy. And you, stay away from me. I can’t take kindly to men who can’t take no for an answer. And even though y’all have been partners for years, Ori is still my brother. Despite the separation, he’ll still put a bullet in your head and comfort your family at your funeral behind me. Don’t be foolish and put that on his conscience.”
When she stood up, we all did the same but I doubt that she noticed with the way she was staring Alec down.
“Good. My future wife needs family that’s coming that strong behind her because mine will do the same for her once we’re married.”
“You are just as delusional as they are, have mercy! I just got my freedom back and you think the first thing I want to do is tobe tethered to a sweet-talking man who doesn’t even live in the same state I do? You’ve absolutely lost your mind.”
“I know one thing is for sure. You don’t want to be bargained away. For them to think you don’t have your mind. That you need someone who is going to take a firm hand with you because you’re too feeble-minded to decide for yourself.” Alec had walked closer to her and somehow everyone of us knew he wasn’t a threat to her. Well, almost all of us.
She looked up at him, their height difference almost as severe as the difference between Yacouba and Jasmine. Jem stared at him unafraid but I could see where she had her fingers balled up around the strap of the handbag she carried.
“I’ll let people think what they want until I prove them wrong. The proving them wrong is the fun part for me, by the way.”
Alec smiled happy she hadn’t hauled off and rocked him in his shit for getting too close. The fool was clearly just happy to be in her presence. “If you ever need help with that—”
“I’d chew my favorite pair of diamonds until my teeth cracked and turned to dust and bled before I opened my mouth to ask anyone I don’t know for help. I’m not built that way.”
Her answer clearly intrigued him even more. “The time may come when you need it. You should at least know that help is there. And only a phone call away.”
She took a step back as though she realized just how close they’d gotten and glanced around the room as though she’d just remembered we were all here.
“I’ll keep that in mind,Agent. Brothers, Smoke, Omega… Angel—y’all be easy.” She gave a subtle dip of her head, the way a queen would acknowledge her subjects, before she turned and sauntered back out of the room.
“Your sister is a fascinating creature, Angel.” Alec stood there watching her walk away as we’d all sat back down but clearlyhadn’t missed Angel creeping up behind him like he was ready to dole out the physical punishment that Jemma Marie hadn’t.
Angel came to stand in front of Alec and he wasn’t even trying to size him up. He was still pissed with the way Alec was handling his sister, which I couldn’t understand. With all eyes locked on the two of them, we were all confused.
“Why the fuck are you staring behind her like that?” Angel had one hand gripping the opposite wrist and now I was about to enjoy the show these two were going to put on. Alec wasn’t a slacker, had been through just as much training as I had and more. Angel was a damn assassin so seeing these two come to blows might be entertaining. If I would’ve had more time I would’ve taken bets on this shit.
Couldn’t even call which one would win.
Alec’s face didn’t change from the relaxed look that had come over it as he’d watched Jem walk away. Alec clearly didn’t give a damn about Angel feeling some kind of way about him wanting his sister.
“Because I’m intrigued. More than that, I think I’m in love.” An arrogant but honest smirk crossed Alec’s face like the realization hit him as the words slipped out of his mouth.
Angel sniffed, the scowl he wore deepening. It was crazy because we all had to have been blind not to see the family resemblance between him and Jem. True, he looked more like their dad and had a lighter skin tone, but the eyes, not just the color but also the shape and their lips were near identical.
