“No thanks. I’m not into sharing.”

  “You are an asshole,” Lucky spat, swiping up Mason’s clothes to throw at his head, not caring where his belt buckle hit him. “Now get dressed.”

  “Ow, Jesus. It’s two in the fucking morning. I’m not going anywhere, especially not to meet one of your—”

  “One of my what? My booty calls? One-night stands? Because that’s what you think of me, no? That’s clearly what I do when I let a guy fuck me for the first time in my life. I run off to see another lover, yes?”

  “Wait, what?” Mason turned and sat up, the duvet falling to around his waist. “What do you mean when you let a guy fuck you for the first time? And it’s not the first time.”

  “Do you want me to say it in Spanish? I’m not sure how I can say it any clearer. You fucked me last night. Yes, you fucked me in the truck. The point is, you were the first guy to do it.”

  “You’ve never—”

  “No,” Lucky growled.

  “I—shit, I’m—”

  “Get dressed or I’m leaving without you, and if I leave without you, I suggest you not be here when I get back.” Lucky hated threats, but he was so pissed off he could barely contain it. The pain eased a little at how fast Mason scrambled out of bed and pulled on his clothes. At least the fucker actually cared, and he knew Mason said what he did out of fear, but that was no excuse. Mason got dressed fast, nearly falling over while attempting to pull on his jeans.

  Lucky placed the Do Not Disturb sign on the door and stormed out, Mason hurrying silently behind him. Neither of them said a word all the way down to valet. Mason made to take the keys from the valet guy, but Lucky swiped them.

  “I’m driving.” He tipped the man, then climbed in behind the wheel. It wasn’t until Lucky was on I-4 that Mason spoke up.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Daytona.” That was as much as Mason was going to get out of him. He’d have to wait until Lucky was good and ready to say more than a few words or he would not be happy with what came out of Lucky’s mouth. His cowboy had good instincts, and considering he remained silent the whole ride up, Mason knew he’d fucked up. Shit. He’d just thought of Mason as his cowboy. He was so fucked.

  Chapter 9

  It took less than an hour to get to Madeline Avenue. Lucky smiled when he spotted the bright flares plunged into the ground on the right side of the road near the small lake. Tommy had pulled off the road and gotten as far away from it as possible just like they’d taught him. The number of people in this state who were killed because they got out of their cars on the side of the road or got out to help someone who was stranded was obscene. Thankfully, Tommy lived at the end of Sunset Cove Drive in the cul-de-sac, so his car picked a good place to break down. Lucky pulled the SUV up behind Tommy’s car. He left the car running, lights on, doors unlocked, and got out. Tommy’s face when he saw Lucky was heartwarming.

  “Thank you so much for coming, Uncle Lucky.” Tommy threw his arms around Lucky and hugged him tight. He might be seventeen years old, but Lucky remembered the day he was born, a tiny little wrinkled bundle with a tuft of bright red hair. Spider had been such a proud daddy that day.

  Lucky squeezed Tommy before pulling back and cupping his face, his expression stern. “What are you doing out so late, hm?”

  “I was studying at a friend’s house.”

  Lucky arched an eyebrow, and Tommy laughed. “I really was. Don’t worry, Mom knows. I’m staying with my friend while Mom’s out of town for work, but I realized we needed a few things for our science project. I came back quick to get it. My friend lives just down the road. I can’t believe I broke down so close to home. Stupid car.”

  Lucky turned to Mason. “Mason, this is Tommy, a family friend. Tommy, I’m sure you remember Ace mentioning Mason. He’s doing some work for the Kings.” He is also in the dog house for being a dick.

  Mason cast Lucky a sideways glance at being introduced as nothing more than a coworker, but he didn’t respond, instead he turned to Tommy and held out his hand with a friendly smile.

  “Nice to meet you, Tommy.”

  Tommy shook Mason’s hand. He looked from Mason to Lucky and back. “I’m sorry if I, um, interrupted something.”

  “You didn’t interrupt,” Mason assured him. “We were on a job close by.”

  “What’s wrong with the car?” Lucky walked around to the popped hood.

  “It made this funky noise, so I pulled over, and it died. I think it overheated.”

  “Okay, why don’t you get inside and try to turn it on.”

  Tommy did as instructed, and Mason appeared next to Lucky. “Uncle? I thought you were an only child?”

  “I’m like an uncle to him, like the rest of the Kings, Jack, and Joker. We’ve known him since he was born. His father, Spider, was part of our unit.”

  “Shit, I’m so sorry, Lucky.”

  Lucky shrugged. “We survived, they didn’t, so it’s our duty to take care of their families.” He craned his neck around the hood and motioned for Tommy to stop trying to start the car. Lucky checked the usual suspects first. The thermostat was fine, no obstructions were blocking the grill, the fan and fan belt were fine. He checked for leaks, breaks, low fluids. Mason lay on the grass and looked under the car.

  “We got a leak.”

  “What is it?” Lucky asked.

  “Coolant.”

  “Shit.” Lucky took a closer look at the water pump. “Yeah, water pump is fucked. Looks like the shaft seal is broken.” Lucky straightened as Tommy walked over. “This isn’t something we can fix right now. The water pump needs replacing.”

  Tommy cringed, and Lucky planted his hands on his hips, eyes narrowed.

  “You knew it needed replacing?”

  “Yeah, I got the replacement in the trunk. I was going to try and do it myself. The mechanic guy said it would cost, like, a thousand bucks to replace.”

  “First of all, you need a new mechanic. That man is a thief. This is a Honda not a Hummer. Let’s get it towed to your house, and I’ll get it changed for you.” He turned to Mason. “Why don’t you go back to the hotel. This will take a couple of hours at least. I can call someone to give me a lift back.”

  Mason’s frown was deep. “I’m not leaving you two out here alone. There’s probably gators in that lake.”

  Lucky blinked at him before letting out a bark of laughter. “Okay, Cowboy. You can help.”

  “Damn right.”

  “Okay, everyone in the SUV. I’ll call someone to come tow the car when we get to the house.” Lucky closed the hood, took the keys from Tommy, and turned the lights off. He locked the doors, then climbed behind the wheel of the SUV. Tommy sat in the back and Mason in the passenger seat. He pulled out on the road, then made a left on Sunset Cove.

  “You got some grease on your cheek.” Mason leaned over and gently rubbed a thumb over the spot on his cheek.

  Lucky chuckled. “I’m sure there’s going to be plenty more when I get under the car.”

  “Why don’t you let me do the dirty work, huh? You’re gonna ruin your clothes.”

  “It’s okay,” Lucky replied warmly. “It’s just clothes. They can be replaced.”

  Mason hummed, his smile making Lucky fidget in his seat. “That so, huh?”

  “What?”

  “Nothing. You never cease to amaze me.”

  Lucky felt his face flush. He didn’t know what to say to that. Wait, he was supposed to be mad at Mason. Yes, mad. Very mad. He scowled, but it only lasted as long as Mason poking his side, making him jump and bark out a laugh.

  “Are you crazy? I’m driving.”

  “Come on, Mr. Green Beret. Don’t tell me you can’t handle a little poke.”

  “Let’s see how you like it when you get poked.”

  “That a threat or a promise?”

  Tommy leaned forward in between the seats. “Are you two together? Wait.” Tommy peered at Mason. “You dated Ace, and now you’re dating his cousin? Is Ace cool with that?”

  “Seat belt,” Lucky and Mason said simultaneously.

  Tommy sat back with a snicker. “Yes, Dads.”

  Lucky almost choked on his spit, and for some reason, Mason found that hilarious. When Lucky was done coughing up a lung, he pulled into Tommy’s driveway, put the car in Park, then turned to punch Mason in the arm. “I was choking and instead of helping me, you’re laughing? Asshole.”

  Mason’s laughter turned into a snicker before he leaned in to cup Lucky’s cheek. “I’m sorry, darlin’. You’re so damned cute when you get in that horn-tossing mood, I can’t help it.” He placed a sweet kiss on Lucky’s lips.

  “I don’t know what that means, but I will consider forgiving you. Maybe.”

  “I would really appreciate that.”

  “So… yes?” Tommy asked, looking from Lucky to Mason and back. “I’m guessing yes on Ace being cool with this since he’s got Colton, who by the way, has the awesomest house ever. You should all hook up with billionaires. Just saying. No offense, Mason.”

  “Um, none taken.”

  “Is it a yes on the dating?”

  Lucky and Mason exchanged glances before Mason replied somewhat hesitantly. “It’s kinda complicated.”

  Tommy rolled his eyes as he unfastened his seat belt. “Not really, but whatever.” He let out a snort. “And everyone says teenagers are dramatic.”

  “He’s got a point.” Mason shrugged, laughing when Lucky punched him in the arm again.

  “Come on, Cowboy. Time to get to work.” Lucky got out of the car and pulled out his cell phone to call one of the tow truck companies the Kings used. While they waited for the car to be towed, they followed Tommy into the house, turning on lights as they went. Lucky knew this house like the back of his hand. Same way he knew all the houses of his fallen brothers’ families.

  Tommy pointed at the kitchen. “You guys want some coffee or something? I make a mean cappuccino.”

  “Sure,” Lucky replied. “Two teaspoons of brown sugar please.”

  “You’re such a coffee diva.”

  “And don’t you forget it.” He turned to find Mason in the living room, and Lucky didn’t have to be standing next to him to know what he was looking at. He joined Mason, his heart squeezing at the twelve smiling faces.

  “King’s actually smiling,” Mason said, his voice quiet.

  “He smiled a lot more back then. That was before we lost the guys, before his parents were killed.”

  “Ace told me. His parents were driving to help friends after Hurricane Charley when half the road washed out. I can’t even begin to imagine how fucked up that was for King. To be deployed in the middle of God knows where, doing God knows what, all while leading a team of men, knowing he wouldn’t be able to make their funeral.”

  “Yes. It was devastating for him, not only because he wasn’t able to be there when they buried his parents, but because he wasn’t there for his sister. Bibi of course never held it against him. She understood. But King….” Lucky let out a heavy sigh as he picked up the frame holding the eight-by-ten photo of their ODA. “He believes he failed her. Like he believes he failed us.” It seemed like only yesterday they were all together, and then they weren’t.

  “From the little I know, none of what happened was his fault. I mean, the guy almost fucking died.”

  Lucky nodded. If it hadn’t been for Red, they would have lost King as well. “I know, but you won’t convince King of that.” Lucky pointed to the big guy with his arm around a smiling Joker. “That’s Spider, Tommy’s father. He was our second engineer sergeant, and a good man. They all were.”

  “Coffee’s ready,” Tommy called out from the kitchen.

  Lucky returned the frame to the shelf, the chill in his body chased away by Mason’s arm wrapped around him as he walked with Lucky to the kitchen. They sat at the counter and thanked Tommy for the coffee. He excused himself to go open the garage for when the tow truck arrived.

  Mason took a sip of his coffee. “He seems like a good kid, but then he’s very lucky to have a bunch of uncles like you fellas to look after him.”

  “He is a good kid, but in some ways, I don’t envy him.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Because he can get away with nothing. At his age, the things Ace and I were doing?” Lucky crossed himself. “We did not have six Green Berets to keep us from getting into trouble.”

  Mason laughed. “Your poor mothers. Jesus. So what kind of trouble did you boys get into?”

  Lucky shook his head. “Nope. My lips are sealed.”

  “Well, maybe I can unseal them.” Mason leaned in to kiss him, chuckling against Lucky’s lips when Tommy returned, his sigh very put out.

  “Ugh, you guys are ridiculous.”

  A horn honked, and Mason got up. “Finish your coffee, darlin’. I’ll go.” He left without giving Lucky a chance to argue.

  Lucky turned back to his coffee and found Tommy with his elbows on the counter and his chin in his hands. He had a silly sappy smile on his face. “So, tell us about the new boyfriend. Do you and Ace compare notes?”

  “No, we don’t compare notes. And no, he’s not my boyfriend,” Lucky muttered, taking a sip of his coffee.

  “And whose fault is that?” Tommy arched an eyebrow at him, and Lucky groaned. Really? Was he about to be lectured on relationships by a teenager? “I don’t know why things didn’t work out between him and Ace. Ace never talked about it, but I know Mason’s a great guy. Not to mention he’s a cowboy, and fine. I would totally do him, and I’m not even into dudes.”

  “Hey!”

  “Pfft. Don’t act like you don’t remember what it’s like to be seventeen. You were probably having way more sex than I—”

  Lucky narrowed his eyes.

  “Am not having. As in you were having all the sex and I am not.”

  “You remember the talk, yes?”

  Tommy’s expression turned deadpan. “The talk? You mean the intervention? Where you Ace, King, Red, Jack, and Joker sat in my living room and scarred me for life by explaining sex? Is that what you’re referring to?”

  “It wasn’t so bad.”

  Tommy threw his hands up, his voice going up in pitch. “King had a PowerPoint presentation, Lucky! How is that ‘not so bad’?”

  “Okay, that was maybe a little too much.”

  “You know what’s too much?” Tommy asked, eyebrows near his hairline as he pointed to Lucky. “You all. You boys need Jesus. Though I admit, it was all worth it to see King’s face when you did your little biology lesson on the vagina followed by your tips and tricks for getting a woman to orgasm using your tongue. I’m positive he was regretting his life choices at that moment.”

  Lucky burst out laughing, and Tommy snickered as Mason entered the kitchen. He smiled wide at them.

  “What did I miss?”

  Tommy patted Mason’s arm as he walked by. “If King ever offers to show you one of his PowerPoint presentations, run away.” He gave Lucky two thumbs up from behind Mason before he disappeared into the garage.

  God, he loved that kid.

  “What’s he talking about?”

  “You don’t want to know, believe me.”

  Once the car was in the driveway, Lucky and Mason wheeled it into the center of the garage and got it onto jack stands. Everything they needed was in the garage. The Kings made sure to keep it stocked for emergencies and whatever car issues Tommy and his mom might have. The engine was cool by now, so while Mason loosened the radiator cap, Lucky got to draining the coolant.

  Things moved much quicker with both of them working together, and Lucky was pleasantly surprised with how in sync they were. It took just under a couple of hours to get everything taken apart, put it back together, and refill the coolant.

  “There we go. All done.” Lucky washed his hands in the tiny sink at the end of the garage, and Mason did the same after.

  Tommy threw himself into Lucky’s arms and hugged him. “Thank you, Uncle Lucky. For everything.”

  “You’re welcome.” Lucky squeezed him tight. “You and your mom know that we will always be here for you, anything you need, yeah?”

  Tommy pulled back, his eyes glassy. He sniffed and looked away. “Yeah, we know.”

  “Okay.” Lucky hugged him again, kissing the top of his head before letting him go. Tommy reminded him of how quickly time passed, of how short and unpredictable life could be.

  Tommy surprised Mason by hugging him. “It was great seeing you.” He whispered something in Mason’s ear, and Mason nodded. What was he up to? They waited for Tommy to grab what he needed from the house, lock up, and get in his car, then they escorted him to his friend’s house, despite his insistence that he’d be fine. It had turned four by the time Lucky merged onto I-4. Man, what a day. He let out a yawn, and Mason jerked next to him.

  “Are you okay?” Lucky asked, worried.

  “Yeah, sorry. Are you okay to drive? Maybe we should pull into a motel or something and get some sleep for a few hours, before we head back to the hotel.”

  “Why? It’s less than an hour. I’m fine to drive.”

  “Are you sure? You were yawning and all.”

  “I yawned one time. I’m okay. Really. I’m not sleepy. Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Yeah. No. I’m sorry. I was an asshole. You woke me up when you got outta bed, and when I saw you getting dressed, I thought the worst. I was pissed off at myself because you said you didn’t want a relationship, and I’m trying to respect that, I am, but I won’t lie and say it isn’t getting harder by the minute with you. I don’t judge you, at all, for not wanting more. I understand the appeal of keeping things simple, believe me, but there ain’t nothing simple about us, darlin’. We said we’d be honest with each other, so that’s what I’m doin’. You’ve never slept with anyone more than once. Why would I think I was different?”

  “It is different.” Lucky was trying his hardest not to get annoyed, but not at Mason, at himself, because Mason was absolutely right. About everything. Why wouldn’t Mason think he’d decided to run away after they slept together? He did it in some form or another. He might not have run off to someone else, but he’d run.