“I feel guilty, Ian.”

  “For what?”

  “For liking Nevin.”

  “Babe, if I could pick anyone in the world for you to be with, it would be my brother. It means you’ll always be in my life, and I know you’re with a good person who can and will take care of you.”

  “I can take care of myself,” I argue.

  There’s silence.

  “Well, I can,” I insist.

  “Sure.”

  He covers the phone again, talking to someone else before giving his attention back to me. “I’ve got to go. I’ll call again soon, and you should get a letter in the mail from me any day now. It has my address. Write to me.”

  “I will,” I promise.

  “I love you, Luna. Tell Nevin I love him too.”

  I fight back the tears that are threatening to fall. “I love you too, Ian. Stay safe.”

  “I will. Later, Lu.”

  “Later, Ian,” I whisper, unable to speak any louder.

  Ian hangs up, and I sit there for a good thirty seconds, wiping away the tears from my eyes. It has to be harder for him than me. I have other people and things around me to pass the time and fill my days, while Ian has nothing and no one.

  “Luna,” Nevin calls out from the kitchen. “Ian still on the phone?”

  “No,” I call back, pushing myself to stand and head out of the bedroom.

  I’m not even a few feet out of my bedroom when the smell hits me. My mouth instantly waters as my stomach grumbles. There’s absolutely no way it’ll taste as good as it smells. It’s impossible for melted cheese to give off any other aroma than sheer bliss, but I’m still doubtful of how it’ll all pull together.

  Nevin’s standing at the island with two bowls filled to the top and steam coming off. “It’s ready.”

  “Did you taste it?” I ask, climbing up on a stool across from him.

  “No. I’m saving the honor for you.” He smiles, looking so damn proud. “Is Ian okay?”

  “I think so. He sounded like Ian.”

  “Is he pissed about us?”

  I shake my head as I lift the spoon. “Not that I can tell.”

  “Well, you’d know if he was better than me.”

  I know Ian better than any of his brothers do, and he’s a straight shooter. He’s never held back with me. We’ve always been honest with each other, even if it’s brutal.

  “I think he’s fine.” I don’t know if I’m trying to convince myself out of guilt or if he truly sounded okay with Nevin and me hanging out and being together on a physical level. “He’s fine.”

  “Did he say he wasn’t?”

  I shake my head, moving the macaroni and cheese around in my bowl.

  “Men rarely say the opposite of what they mean, Lu. If he said it’s cool, then it’s cool.”

  I glance up from the bowl. “Why do I feel bad?”

  Nevin leans over, letting the steam waft up into his face. “Don’t know. Maybe because he isn’t here. If you want to walk things back a little, I’ll understand.”

  “No,” I say quickly. “I don’t. Ian and I weren’t that way.”

  “Then stop acting like you’re cheating on my brother with me. It’s freaking me out. Eat.” He dips his chin and gaze to my bowl. “Tell me if it’s shit.”

  “I’m going to be the guinea pig?”

  He nods.

  “Fuck,” I mutter, stabbing at the noodles, bracing myself for complete disappointment.

  Nevin keeps his gaze trained on me as I lift a forkful to my lips, blowing on the food so the melted cheese doesn’t burn my mouth.

  “Here goes nothing,” I say, hoping I don’t have to lie about the taste.

  Nevin looks so hopeful as I place the fork in my mouth, slowly closing my lips. I chew and stop and chew again. Damn. The different tastes of cheddar, butter, and other things I can’t pinpoint explode against my tongue. It’s creamy perfection, and I hate Nevin for how easily he pulled it off.

  “Well?” He studies my face, trying to read me.

  “It’s good,” I mumble with my mouth still full.

  His shoulders fall. “Just good?”

  I swallow and lick my lips. “It’s amazing, actually. I ain’t going to lie, I wanted it to be meh.”

  His eyebrows rise. “You wanted it to be meh?”

  I nod. “Only because I couldn’t do it and somehow you could.”

  “Babe, I eat. You eat. It’s a win-win no matter who made it.”

  “It’s impressive for your first time. My grandma would be proud.”

  He perks up. “You think she would be?”

  I nod. “Eat it. You’ll see. It’s just as good as hers.”

  “Impossible,” he mutters before placing a forkful in his mouth too. He chews, and I can see when it hits him…he did good.

  “See?”

  He smiles. “It’s good, but not as good as your grandma’s.”

  “This is nice,” I say to him, my crabbiness and guilt melting away.

  “What?”

  “This.” I wave my hand between us. “Us.”

  He smiles, making my belly flip a little. “Best few weeks I’ve had in my entire life, Lu.”

  I’m both honored and horrified by that statement. The weeks have been good, but also totally mundane besides the hurricane.

  “I’m sorry,” I whisper, pushing the mac and cheese around again.

  “Babe,” he says. “Look at me.”

  I peer up, my blue eyes meeting his green.

  “Don’t be sorry. I’m happy. My past is my past, but I’m most excited about the future, and I couldn’t say that too long ago. It’s because of you.”

  I try to push away the sadness, knowing Nevin has so much in front of himself, whether it includes me or not. “It’ll only get better.”

  He shakes his head. “If this is all there is, I’ll be content for the rest of my life.”

  “It has been nice,” I confirm. “Even if there’s a lunatic out there looking for me.”

  “I’m pretty sure he’s trying to save his ass. He knows he fucked up. As soon as he shows his face, he’ll no longer be an issue for you.”

  I set my fork down, suddenly no longer happy. “You think they’ll find him?”

  “Yeah. He can’t hide for long.”

  “Yeah,” I whisper. My uncles are a force. If anyone can find him, they can.

  “You going to work tonight?” Nevin asks, chowing down on his mac and cheese.

  “I am. I can’t miss tonight. I have a client coming in who’s been booked for months.”

  “I’ll take you and stay.”

  I shake my head. “I won’t be alone. You have to work. I’ll be fine.”

  He stares at me, chewing. “I don’t know.”

  “Nevin, don’t be ridiculous. Everyone will be there. If I’m not safe with my family, who am I safe with?”

  He continues chewing, tilting his head. “I’ll drop you off and pick you up.”

  I don’t bother arguing. There’s no point. My dad put him in charge of my protection, and Nevin’s taking the responsibility a little too seriously. “Fine.”

  “I don’t like it, though. I want that known.”

  “Noted, big guy.” I slide off the stool, taking the bowl with me. “I’m going to get ready. We’ll leave in an hour.”

  “I’m ready when you are,” he says.

  I turn around as I make it to the hallway. “Thank you for this.” I hold up the bowl. “It’s great.”

  “Just trying to help you grow those perfect tits, babe.”

  I laugh, loving that he remembered my stupid statement. “We’ll have to see if it’s working.”

  “I plan on it.” He winks.

  23

  NEVIN

  I park Dylan’s bike in front of Inked and walk inside, looking for Luna. “Where is she?” I ask.

  “Well, hello to you too,” Arlo says as she sits at the front desk, rubbing her belly.

  “Hey,” I clip out, trying to be cordial to her family in a moment when I could give a shit about niceties. “Luna?”

  Arlo ticks her head toward the back. “She finished up a few minutes ago. I’m guessing she’s in the back room.”

  I curl my fingers into a fist as I fight the nagging feeling that followed me the entire way over here from the bar. “You’re guessing?”

  “I can’t keep tabs on all of them,” Arlo says as I stalk by her toward the back of the shop.

  “Hey,” Ro says as soon as she lifts her head and her gaze lands on me. “Here for your pickup?”

  I glance around, not seeing Luna anywhere. “She back there?” I tip my head toward the storage room.

  “She went back there a few minutes ago to stock up for tomorrow,” Ro says, going back to tattooing her client.

  I keep moving, not bothering with more small talk. I had my fill of people at the bar and want to grab Luna and head home.

  I stop, realizing what just went through my mind. Home. Luna feels like home. Not her apartment or the other people around me, although I like them. Luna herself has quickly become home to me.

  I push open the door to the stock room, but it’s empty. My heart sinks, and panic immediately sets in. “Luna!” I yell out, moving back to the middle of the shop.

  Ro’s up on her feet, tattoo gun in her hand. “She’s not back there?”

  “No.”

  Ro’s face turns white. “Fuck,” she hisses, dropping the gun on her side table.

  I don’t wait. Don’t have anything else to say. Luna wasn’t out front, and the only other place she could be is out back. I run toward the back, punching open the door.

  The back parking lot is dark with only a few cars. Luna’s truck is under the streetlight off to the right, and I can hear noises coming from that general direction. I haul ass with Rosie on my heels—and no doubt the rest of Luna’s family close behind her.

  My stomach twists as I brace myself for what I’m about to find. Every horrible scenario runs through my head. I imagine Luna on the ground, bleeding and broken at the hands of Chad. If he touches one hair on her head…

  When I make it to the other side of the truck, I stop dead in my tracks. Luna’s covered in blood, standing over a man who has his face buried in the gravel.

  Our eyes connect, and I see relief flood her features as she doubles over. She gasps for air, hands on her knees, and sways back and forth.

  I rush to her side, holding her up. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m okay,” she whispers as her body shakes in my arms.

  “Oh, dear God,” Ro says from off to the side. “What the…”

  I push Luna’s back against the truck, careful not to hurt her. I lift her shirt over her stomach and then move on to her arms.

  “What are you doing?” she asks softly.

  “Looking for where all the blood is coming from,” I tell her, my voice so panicked, it may be shaking more than she is.

  “It’s his,” she tells me.

  I pull back, staring up at her face, which has some blood splatter on it too. “It’s his?” There’s no hiding the shock in my voice.

  She nods. “It’s Chad’s.”

  I glance over my shoulder as Carmello kneels down, rolling Chad onto his back. A loud groan falls from Chad’s lips, and Carmello gasps.

  “Holy fuck,” Carmello says. “That’s brutal.”

  “Don’t let him move,” I tell Luna’s cousin.

  Carmello looks up at me, shaking his head. “The man isn’t going anywhere except a hospital, Nev. He’s fucked up, and not just fucked up, fucked up—but fucked up, fucked up.”

  “Good,” I say, turning my full attention back to Luna.

  She places her hands on my shoulders, steadying herself. “He deserved it.”

  I brush the hair away from her face. “He did, baby. He did.”

  She stumbles forward, wrapping her arms around my body, and I catch her, clutching her to my front. “Someone call Joe.”

  “On it,” Ro says, already with her phone to her ear. “Dad. Come to Inked. Chad’s here.” Then she pauses. “Just get here as soon as possible.”

  “I’ll call my dad too,” Carmello says, pulling out his phone but staying at Chad’s side.

  “Is he going to die?” Luna whispers as she looks up at me.

  “No, sweetheart. He’s not going to die,” I reassure her. “His ego is probably the most damaged thing on him.”

  She smiles, nuzzling against my chest. “Doubtful. I’m pretty sure he’s never going to father children with the way I kicked him with these spiked heels right in his nuts. They’re probably lodged somewhere around his colon right now.”

  I wince, hating the imagery but loving that she beat his ass. “You’re crazy fearless, Luna. You could’ve been hurt.”

  “Or I could be dead,” she whispers, closing her eyes. “But he’s the one on the ground and not me. I’ll take crazy fearless any day of the week.”

  I tip my head forward, brushing a kiss on her forehead. “Me too, li’l moon.” I pull down the tailgate of her truck and climb up while keeping her tight in my arms. “Your dad is coming.”

  “Good,” she says, her eyes still closed, but shaking less than she was a minute ago.

  “Are you sure you aren’t hurt?” I ask her, looking all over her body but not even seeing a scratch on her.

  “He grabbed me by the arm when I ran out here to get something from my truck. I didn’t even look to see who it was before I elbowed him, and he dropped. From there…it gets a little fuzzy until the nut kick.”

  I growl. “You came out here alone?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Why would you do that?” I try to not sound like I’m chastising her, but I sure as fuck am.

  “I needed something.”

  “Luna,” I clip out. “Maybe I was wrong about the crazy fearlessness. What in God’s name were you thinking?”

  She pushes herself up in my arms. “I didn’t think he’d be out here.”

  “Fuck,” I groan. “Your dad is going to kill me.”

  “Kill you?” she says, laughing. “He’s going to kill me.”

  “Baby, it was my job to—”

  She places her bloodied finger against my lips. “I’m a grown-ass woman, Nevin. I’m in charge of me and no one else.”

  I growl again, unable to hide my agitation, but it’s not anger. If something would’ve happened to her… I can’t even allow myself to think it. “Don’t do that shit anymore, Lu. I know you’re grown and you can take care of yourself, but fuck…if one thing would’ve happened differently—”

  “But it didn’t.”

  A motorcycle pulls into the back lot, sending cinders everywhere. Her father’s eyes are moving around the scene as he climbs off the bike, but before his leg swings over the seat, Mrs. Gallo is running in our direction. Joe zeroes in on Luna as she sits in my arms.

  “She’s okay,” I call out, reassuring them.

  “Oh my God. My baby,” Mrs. G says, rushing to Luna’s truck. Her hand moves to Luna’s face, cupping her cheek. “Are you hurt?”

  Luna shakes her head, turning toward her mother. “I’m okay, Mom. This isn’t mine.” She’s talking about the blood. And for it not being hers, there’s plenty of it.

  “Sweet Jesus,” her mother mutters, checking over her daughter. “You could’ve died.”

  “But I didn’t,” Luna tells her.

  Mrs. Gallo sucks in a breath, looking like she’s holding on by a thread. “So reckless, baby. So reckless.”

  “I’m not reckless, Mom. I walked to my truck, but at least I knew what to do.”

  “He’s here,” Carmello tells Joe, pointing down at the man who’s rolling around in pain. “She beat him pretty badly.”

  “Fuckin’ good,” Luna’s father says. “He deserves it.” Joe stands over the man, taking in his injuries. He’s unfazed by the amount of blood, which is both troubling and worrisome.

  “Want me to call the cops?” Ro asks her father.

  Joe shakes his head. “Wait for James. He’ll handle them.”

  “I have the best family,” Luna says to me, curling back against my front.

  I stare at them all working together, soaking in their concern for everyone involved. She does have the best family. She was lucky the day she was born. She never experienced abuse like I did. She doesn’t even know what it feels like to be alone. She’ll never have to with the number of people who fill her world.

  “You do, baby. You do.”

  Mrs. G pulls Luna’s top half into an embrace while she’s still on my lap. It’s only mildly awkward, but sweet too. “Thank goodness you knew how to protect yourself, baby.”

  Her mother’s eyes meet mine, but I look away, feeling as if I’ve somehow failed. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Gallo,” I say softly.

  “Hey,” she says, releasing Luna.

  I don’t look at her. I can’t. I should’ve kept her daughter safe enough that she wouldn’t have had to defend herself.

  “Hey,” she says again, but this time I look at her. As soon as our gazes lock, she keeps talking. “You did your best. Luna never listens. It’s always been her thing. If there’s trouble, she’s going to find it, or it’s going to find her. You did nothing wrong, Nevin.”

  “Okay,” I whisper, but the knot in my stomach doesn’t unfurl.

  “I mean. You did nothing. Don’t blame yourself for this.” She waves her hand toward the man on the ground. “You’ll learn about my sweet girl the longer you’re with her. This wasn’t your fault,” she says again. “If you blame yourself for all the trouble that finds her, you’re going to feel guilty your entire life.”

  “Mom, come on now,” Luna says, shaking her head. “I’m not that bad.”

  Her mother’s eyes swing her way, and she raises an eyebrow. “If my hair weren’t so blond, you’d see all the gray hair you and your sisters have given me.”

  Luna rolls her eyes. “That’s not from us. That’s Dad’s fault.”

  “Oh, he has an entire section too,” Mrs. Gallo says with a small laugh. “Y’all are trying my sanity at times.”

  Joe stalks our way, his eyes on his daughter. I don’t know what to do. Do I put her down? Do I hold her tighter?

  “Baby,” he says softly, placing his arm around his wife’s back and his hand on her hip. “You okay? Look at me.”