Claiming the Enemy: Dustin (Porter Brothers Trilogy 3)

“We’re just as close as your family is. Or we were. I’m not going to make excuses for Asher. There aren’t any. As for Holt, he’s got to explain it to me.” Jessie’s shoulders slumped. “I can understand why you didn’t ask me out after the way my family treated you. I’m sorry.”

“Truth be told …” Dustin hesitated at his final admission. Then, knowing he didn’t have long left and not wanting any doubt remaining after he died about how he felt about her, he admitted, “My pride might have been a little bruised. I was sure you would go to your hidey hole and find the box.”

Jessie started crying, her tears wetting the shoulder of his hospital gown. “That’s why you told me I broke your heart.”

“Yes, I’m afraid I was the one who got the second helping in the ego department. I kept thinking you would find the box, and then Sam got pregnant. Then … time got away from me.”

“It does that when you’re a jackass.” Jessie lifted her head. “Just so you know, I’m not going to let a little thing like you dying give you an out in marrying me.”

“Jessie ….”

“Dustin, I love you. You’re as muleheaded as Greer. You just hide it better.” Jessie pressed her breasts against his side as she stroked her fingertips over the sensitive skin behind his ears. “But I really, really want to marry you. Dustin Dwayne Porter, will you pretty please with a cherry on top marry me?” she wheedled.

Dustin narrowed his eyes at her. “Are you trying to seduce a dying man?”

“Is it working?”

“Every damn time. Do you know how many times I wanted to ask you to marry me?”

“No, I don’t. What I do know is, I don’t care about all those other times. What does count is the here and now. Do you have any idea just how thankful I am that I have you here now? That’s more than I had when Knox couldn’t find a pulse. I promised God if he just brought you back for one minute so I could tell you how much I love you that I wouldn’t ask for anything else. I’ve broken that promise a thousand times since you’ve opened your eyes.”

“I can’t even get down on my knees to propose to you.”

Jessie slowly got off the bed to go to her knees. Taking his hand, she pressed it tightly to her cheek. “Dustin Porter, will you marry me? I promise I will make you a good wife, that I will love you to my dying day, and I swear I’ll make you fried chicken anytime you want me to.”

Tenderly, he looked down at her. “You just had to throw that fried chicken in there, didn’t you? How am I supposed to refuse you?”

“Please … Dustin. Marry me?”

“Peanut, you had me at the fried chicken.”

Laughing, she rose to kiss him. She was about to climb back on the bed with him when he felt himself getting drowsy again. Forcing his eyelids open, he saw the nurse motion for Jessie to leave.

“Give her one more minute, please,” he said to the nurse, then turned back to Jessie. “How are they managing to keep Greer out?”

“Knox and Shade are taking turns.”

“That can’t be good.”

“It’s not. See him, Dustin. Please.”

“Which one is out there now?”

“Knox.”

“Can you ask Knox to come in? I’ll talk to him.”

Dustin warily eyed the hospital door as Knox and Shade came in to stand by his bed. Cash and Rider came in next. Then Viper and Drake formed a line in front of his bed.

“Are you sure you can hold him back?” Dustin eyed them doubtfully.

Knox glanced over his shoulder at him. “You better be joking.”

“When Greer gets riled up, he’s unpredictable.”

“And you think I don’t know that? I’ve known him long enough to know he’s a moron when he gets fired up. We won’t let him get past. I’m not promising I won’t have to Taser him or put him in handcuffs, but he won’t get close enough to get within touching distance.”

“You sure you don’t want to put him in a straightjacket?” Dustin joked, then regretted it when Knox appeared to be considering.

“No. As much as that would make my fucking year, I think we’ve got it.”

“Jesus Christ, I’m going to need one if you all don’t shut the hell up so I can talk to my brother.”

Dustin saw Greer’s head pop up as he stood on his toes, trying to look over Knox’s and Shade’s shoulders.

Greer was furious at him. Dustin was used to his moods, but the resolve in his brother’s eyes let him know that Greer wouldn’t give up hope on healing him until he was six feet under.

“Drake, shut the door so I can talk to my brother in private,” Greer ordered.