Claiming the Enemy: Dustin (Porter Brothers Trilogy 3)

“I heard the death bells again tonight.”

Dustin took another mouthful of popcorn.

“You still eating? Greer complained that you all ate at the Pizza Dome and that you beat him to the leftovers before he got home.”

Dustin dug his hand back into the popcorn bowl. “You judging?”

Tate took off his boots, resting his feet on the table next to his. “You sharing?”

Dustin tilted the bowl, so he could take a handful. “Where’s Sutton?”

“Her mother isn’t feeling well, so she’s spending the night with her parents.”

“I paid sixteen dollars to watch this movie; you going to ruin it for me?”

“No, I know I’m not going to change your mind.”

Dustin had to swallow hard to clear the kernels that were getting stuck in the back of his throat. “You wanting to spend quality time with your little bro before I’m locked in the pen?”

Tate studied him seriously. “You know those lame-ass commercials that are always saying shit is priceless?”

Dustin had to clear another kernel. “Yeah?”

Tate must have been having the same problem, because he had to clear his throat, too. “It kinda is.”

28

Dustin held the umbrella over Jessie’s head as they watched Miranda’s casket being lowered into the ground. They were unable to help being moved as Jackson and his son cried for their loss, while a steady hand from Charles remained on Jackson’s shoulder, providing the comfort his friend needed.

When the service was over, Dustin led Jessie back to his car as the rest of the mourners dissipated into the warmth of theirs.

Once he had Jessie inside, he walked around the car, tilting the umbrella so he could push the latch that would fold it. He stowed it in the back seat before getting in the front.

“You doing okay?” Dustin asked as soon as he was inside.

Jessie nodded, using a tissue to wipe her tears away. “Do you think the person who killed her was there?”

Dustin looked out the windshield grimly as the rain left rivulets pouring down the glass. He knew the real way she had wanted to ask the question was if the man who kidnapped her was there.

“I think so. The whole town was there.”

“Do you think he feels bad about doing it?”

“No. If he felt bad about doing it, he would have turned himself in to Knox, and he wouldn’t be standing there, watching Miranda’s husband and son cry their hearts out in the fucking rain.”

Jessie turned sideways, putting her hand on his arm. “Do you know who it is?”

“I’m sitting here with you, ain’t I? Don’t you think, if I knew, I would be sitting in a prison cell?”

She tightened her hand on his arm. “Holt told me what you said. Dustin, I’m begging you not to do anything that would get you in trouble. If I had found out who it was when it first happened, I would have killed whoever it was without a second thought. I would have … until I made love with you. I have too much love in my heart for you to taint it with feelings of hatred for anyone. I’ve decided to leave him in God’s hands.”

“Sometimes, God needs a little help.”

“No, He doesn’t, not from me, you, Holt, Asher, or from anyone else. I’d rather have you sitting beside me in a courtroom, seeing justice was served, than crying over a letter you sent me from prison.”

Dustin started the car. “Everybody thinks I’ll get caught. Have a little faith in your man. I’m the smart Porter brother.”

“You’re the Porter brother I’m in love with, and I don’t want you to do it!”

“Jeez, calm down. The only thing I have on my mind right now is getting warm. You want to stop at King’s and get some lunch?” he tried to cajole her by changing a subject that he had already set his mind on. “It could be like a first date.”

Her winsome smile transformed her worried expression. “I would love to.”

He turned his hand over, linking their fingers together as he drove out of the cemetery. “You keep sprouting off that love word today. You have the other night on your mind?”

Dustin laughed when he saw her flush.

“I don’t know what you’re referring to,” she said with a haughty upward tilt of her nose.

“Be careful doing that when we get out the car—you’ll drown.”

“You know, the Porters couldn’t tell a good joke if it bit them on the ass.”

“Ouch, that hurt. You’re getting good at insulting a man.”

“I’ve had plenty of practice. Holt and Asher have your sense of humor.”

“And the insults keep coming. Comparing me to Holt and Asher are fighting words. Another crack like that, and I’m not going to let you order King’s T-bone steak. You can have the lunch special instead.”

Jessie snapped her mouth shut.

Dustin laughed. “Nothing to say?”

Jessie shook her head, then ruined her moment of silence. “My lips are sealed.”