“Deal.”
Jacob and Josh brought over their lunch, which covered the entire table.
He and Phoebe ate the delicious food and sat quietly together.
I love this woman. God, how I love her.
When the door to the restaurant opened again, still on alert, Mitchell glanced that direction. Phoebe’s two brothers walked in. Seeing Shane made him tense. His old friend’s fuck up had been the catalyst to fuel the breakup.
Both Phoebe’s brothers were staring at Belle. It was obvious they were attracted to her, but he couldn’t imagine any way that the two of them could share her or any other woman for that matter, given their opposite backgrounds.
“Your brothers are here,” he told Phoebe, since her back was to the door.
Her eyes widened. “Maybe they’re here for lunch like we are.” She turned around.
“Sis,” Shane said, heading their direction.
Corey followed.
Mitchell saw the looks on her brothers’ faces. “Apparently it’s more than lunch for them, honey.”
“Scoot,” Shane told her.
“Sure.” She slid over, making room for him in the booth next to her. “Are you here to eat? Our food was delicious, as usual.”
“We’re not here for lunch, Phoebe.” Corey took a seat next to Mitchell. “We’re here to talk about your stalker.”
“Damn right, we are,” Shane said firmly. “Why haven’t you told us about this, sis?”
“Shane, you have too much on your plate for me to bother you with something that might not even be a big deal.”
“Someone stalking my little sister is a very big deal.”
“Damn right, it is,” Corey agreed.
“Did Lucas call you?” Phoebe’s feistiness was back in full. She wasn’t going to be steamrolled by anyone, even her brothers. “Or Ashley?”
“Lucas told us,” Corey answered.
Shane frowned. “Ashley is going to get a piece of my mind later for not letting us know.”
“Leave Ashley alone,” Phoebe shot back. “I made her promise. She answers to me.”
Corey tapped his fingers on the table. “How long has this been going on, Phoebe?”
Phoebe gave them all the details, which was even more than Mitchell had heard.
“I’m going to get this fucker.” Shane’s face was blood red. “I’m going to put a bullet between his eyes.”
Even though he wasn’t sure he could ever trust Shane again, he actually was in agreement with his idea. Anyone who wanted to hurt Phoebe didn’t deserve to live.
“Since you are not allowed to carry a gun while you’re on parole, brother, I doubt you can do that.” Phoebe’s tone was steady but Mitchell could sense the storm of worry brewing under her calm demeanor. She cared deeply for both her brothers but felt responsible for Shane. “This is exactly why I didn’t want to tell the family about this. I absolutely don’t want Mom and Dads to know. Do you both understand me?”
“I agree.” Shane’s face took on a shadow of guilt.
In that moment, Mitchell saw a glimpse of the old Shane he remembered.
Belle walked over to their table with Juan. “Sorry to interrupt, but I need to talk to Shane.”