“I’m not fucking around, PJ. Bowen Davis feels nothing. They call him Monk because he barely talks and delivers justice.”
“He talks to me. Sometimes I can’t get him to shut up.” I bark a laugh, unable to help myself. “Monk,” she whispers to herself and then she starts laughing. “I can guarantee you that my man is no monk.” The way her heated eyes run over me should be illegal.
“He’s dangerous.” He reaches out to snag her around the wrist. I’m down the stairs in a blink of an eye, but Duke beats me to it jumping between Precious and Mason. He steps back, holding his hands up.
“You’re going to have to change your tone or we’re going to have problems. Brother or not.”
Precious smiles at me. “Told you Duke would be favoring me soon.”
Mason’s eyes bounce between Precious and me. I think he’s trying to get a feel for me. He’s being an asshole. He does the same shit I do. Or he did at one time. So his act about me being dangerous is a bunch of bullshit and he knows it. He just doesn't like the idea of anyone being with his baby sister.
I don’t blame him. She really is Precious. A rare kind of woman with fire in her. One that doesn't take shit, but on the flip side of that she’s all sweet. There isn’t a mean bone in her body when it comes to the people she loves. I thank my lucky stars I’m one of those people.
“Like I said. Can’t blame him.” I shrug. Duke will be getting his own steak tonight.
“PJ, let’s go. I want to talk in private.” He points at me. “You don’t fucking stop her.”
“I would never stop Precious from doing something she wanted to do. You don’t try to control a woman like her. You grab hold and enjoy the ride. If she wants to go have a private conversation with you then by all means. That’s not saying if she’s not back in thirty minutes I won’t get itchy and come looking for her.”
“Precious. Really? You're not going to hit him for that?” he throws back. Duke growls again. “Didn't know you could talk so much.” Mason takes another step back from the dog.
“Porch,” I tell him. He stands there for a second, not wanting to follow my order.
“Go on, Duke.” He turns, doing exactly what Precious asks. She really has won the damn dog over. “I’m not going anywhere with you. There is no need. Bow is going to be family, so whatever you want to say you can say in front of him. Either way I’d tell him everything because that’s how we are.”
Mason lets out a string of curses that sound a lot like the ones his sister uses. “You said you’d never be with someone in this line of work. That it’s too risky. That you couldn't lose another person.”
I look to Precious. It doesn't matter at this point. I’m retired.
“I did say that, didn't I?” She smiles over at me. “Things change when you find your one.” She steps over toward me, putting her hand on my chest. Tension I didn't realize I was holding melts away. “I hope one day you find it too. But Bow is perfect for me. Don’t you see it?” I don’t think anyone sees me the way she does.
Mason turns at the sound of another truck coming down the driveway. Precious groans. “We aren't getting that shower.”
“We have our whole lives to shower, kitten.” I kiss the top of her head as Bunny and Jameson pull up. Bunny is out of the truck as soon as Jameson pulls to a stop. She’s holding a giant picnic basket.
“You’re early.” Precious releases her hold on me. I don’t want to let her go. She looks up at me. “Not going anywhere, big guy.” I let her go. She walks over to Bunny, giving her a hug. I know she’s been missing her. The way she talks about Bunny makes me think they’re more like sisters than friends. I’m glad she’ll have someone close.
“I have a surprise.” Bunny looks as though she’s going to burst with excitement until she peeks over at Mason. “Why is he here? Are you in trouble?” She smiles while looking back to Precious.
“He’s here to save the day. Which means he barged in here and tried to take me away from whom he presumed was the evil villain. All that yada yada yada.” My little kitten waves her hand around.
“It’s not yada yada. Also, I didn't bust into anyplace.” Mason sighs. I think he might be coming around. Not that he has much of a choice in the matter.
“Don’t be ruining this, you big lug. PJ is going to marry Davis and then she and I are going to be forever neighbors. We are also going to have adorable babies together. Well, not together but at the same time. You know what I mean. Bottom line is, don’t you ruin this for me. I mean her.”