Then I realize this stupid move has told him everything he already knows. He’s gotten under my skin again, tested me in a way only he can do. He wanted a reaction and I gave it to him out of pure fear. I want to do one thing, but I end up with the opposite result. I suck so bad I hate myself.

  After a few moments of self deprecation, I plop on my bed with my hands above my head. There’s no way in hell I’m going to be able to go back out there and not hear his shit. I’m done for. There’s a pause of silence before I hear pots and pans clanking together. Instead of taunting me on the opposite side of my door, Crane is focused on finishing his meal. Of course he’d act like this isn’t a big deal. He’s so cocky I could scream.

  While I bide my time, it seems like unpacking is a good idea. I noticed my clothes I left behind had been put into a big cardboard box. Rummaging through, I reminisce on some of the items, and cringe at others. Most of my taste has stayed the same. I’m pretty darn predictable.

  Halfway through the box there’s a beating on the door. I jump and bring my hand to my heart, feeling the rapid pounding until it begins to settle. I’m on edge. It’s no secret I’m completely susceptible to the brooding male on the other side. “Raims, when you’re done pouting there’s a plate out here for you. If you want to pasta el’diente, you better not wait too long.”

  I don’t respond. I can’t. I’m too annoyed. My stomach grumbles. I’m starving. The aroma is so appealing I could float my ass into the kitchen. When my hand rises to rub the hunger pains away, it vibrates again. My eyes roll as I consider how much shit I’m going to get if I open the door.

  I wait another five minutes before I decide his taunts aren’t going to keep me from having a good meal.

  Determined to avoid eye contact, I saunter into the kitchen and grab a plate. Crane is busy slicing some fresh bread, so I quickly vacate the area and get situated on the sofa. I’m no sooner ready to dig in when I realize I forgot to get a fork. For a few seconds I contemplate eating pasta with my fingers. I even consider admitting to defeat and letting Zeus have it all, but I’m too damn starved. A fork and two pieces of bread are delivered to me. I take them, unwilling to thank him for the thought. It agitates me that he pays close attention to detail. Instead, I stare down at the sauce filled with large portabella mushrooms. It's been years since I've had his family's sauce recipe. I'm salivating as I scoop up a fork full and shove it into my mouth. My eyes close when the delectable flavor awakens my taste buds. I'm overwhelmed. It tastes like home.

  We sit and eat in silence for a bit. By the time my plate is half full, it’s eerily quiet. His voice startles me again, causing my fork to drop to the floor. Zeus goes after, licking away everything I dropped. Before I can grab it away from him, Crane does it for me. He stands up, walks to the sink, and cleans it, before returning it to me.

  "Thanks," I manage.

  "How is it?"

  "It makes me think of your mom actually."

  "If she knew you were back you'd be at her house for dinner."

  "Damn. I didn't know I'd have a choice. She's much better company."

  He cackles, but continues eating like he's bullet proof. Crane flashes me a look, like he knows I'm uncomfortable and it's been his goal all along.

  "Why are you really here?"

  "I told you. I'm welcoming an old friend who clearly needs some carbs in her life."

  "Like you care about my health."

  He sits his fork down and leans back. I listen to the sound of him clearing his voice before he comes at me with his latest inclinations.

  "Can't a guy miss his friend? Is it wrong of me to want you to be okay? You say I don't know you anymore, but you're wrong. I can take one look at you and know you're running from something."

  "How could you know that?" I defend.

  "Because you looked the same way when you left me."

  "You left me no choice when I caught you in bed with someone else. I wasn't going to sit around and be humiliated on my own turf."

  Crane rubs his face. "It wasn't..."

  I cut him off. "I'm not rehashing the past. My decision to come home has nothing to do with you. In fact I was hoping I'd never see you again."

  "I stopped by and saw Del this morning," he changes the subject. Tuck was there too. He wants you to visit him next weekend."

  "How could he be okay with you visiting him when you're the reason he's locked up?"

  A guffaw comes out. "Here we go again. How many times do I have to tell you I'm not the reason?"

  "Clearly until I actually believe you, which will probably be more like never."

  I watch Crane get up and retrieve two wine glasses. I almost snicker when I see him pouring an equal amount into two matching cups. We don’t have fancy glasses, because we don’t drink wine, not until now. “What are you doing?” I inquire.

  “Just shut up and eat. This goes with the meal. You’ll see.”

  He sits the wine in front of me and goes back to his spot on the couch. Ignoring me, he eats his food as if I don’t exist. He knows I hate this. I can almost hear him laughing in his mind. For a brief second I turn my chin to the side to catch a glimpse. His strong jaws are chewing. The muscles on his arms flex when he picks up the fork and takes another full bite. Every inch of his arm comes to life. The snake I put on his forearm years ago stares me in the face. I remember we were naked in the bed when I started the outline. I recall the way my fingers glided across his bare skin when I told him about the piece, and how in between the session we had to stop and fuck because we couldn’t wait until I was finished. I think about the way our bodies came together, and how I rode him so hard we managed to break the frame of his wooden bed. We were seventeen, barely old enough to even know what we were doing, and yet so in sync it felt like nothing would ever come between us.

  Just like that, I snap out of it when he catches me looking. “You see something you like?”

  I bite down on a piece of bread and let my chewing be why I won’t answer the question.

  “Am I the reason you lost touch with your brothers?”

  I shrug and finally swallow. “When are you going to get that all my decisions aren’t based on you, Crane? I make my own decisions.”

  “I don’t believe you.” When he says it he looks right at me. “I think someone did a number on you, and your first reaction was to come home where you belong.”

  “I think you’re an asshole who doesn’t have a right to an opinion when it’s regarding my life, and do me a favor, stop fucking laughing at everything I say.”

  “Sorry, when you try to lie it’s entertaining. You do this thing with your lips. I missed it.”

  I’m appalled. “I never lied to you. It was the other way around.”

  “If I lied, it was to protect you.”

  “Protect me? Are you serious right now? Protect me from your out-of-control cock?” I stand and point toward the door. “I want you to go. I can’t be your friend. I won’t. We are not friends. We were two kids who used to fuck. Let’s call it like it is.”

  Crane takes his plate to the sink and washes it. He downs the rest of his wine and does the same with the cup. After placing a hand towel on the counter, he sits the dishes out to dry.

  I watch him throw his jacket over his shoulders and approach the door. I don’t know why my first thought is to run toward him and beg him to stay. I can’t understand why being around him makes me both crazy and comforted. He feels like home, even more than my brothers.

  Just as he’s about to exit, he pauses and turns around. “I’ll go because you asked me to, but it’s not goodbye. I let you get away from me once. It’s not going to happen again, and you’re wrong. You and I both know what we had. Why else would I be hell bent on making sure you remember it?”

  “Don’t be so sure of yourself. You can’t have someone who doesn’t want you back.”

  “I’m willing to take the chance.”

  “Well you’re an idiot, because it’s never going to happen.”

  “Make sure you put the leftovers in the refrigerator for tomorrow. My mother would keel over if she heard you let her good sauce go to waste.”

  Just like that he’s out the door, leaving me to reap what I sow.

  The sound of a sport car motor rumbles to life and then fades away.

  He’s gone.

  Taking a deep breath, I stare into the kitchen and think about his gesture. “What the hell just happened?” I ask Zeus, who doesn’t respond. “Who does he think he is?”

  While I try to wrap my head around it, I sit back down and have a second helping of dinner. I know I’ll pay for it later when my stomach wants to combust, but it will be worth it. I’ve forgotten how much I love this meal, and hate admitting I’m appreciative of it.

  It’s not long after when I hear the sound of a vehicle pulling into the parking lot. Thinking it’s Crane again, I run and lock the deadbolt on the door. If he can’t get in, I’m safe from his badgering for forgiveness.

  As soon my hand leaves the knob I see it jiggle. Then a loud banging causes me to jump. “Raimey, I know you’re in there. Open the fucking door before I break the damn thing down.”

  It’s Tuck. He’s obviously learned about the guy I sent away and has come to ream me a new ass. “Okay, hold on.”

  I unfasten the latch and back away quickly to avoid being knocked over. Tuck comes in hot. He’s fuming with rage, his eyes beading. “You had no right.”

  I shove him. I’m not going to let him scare me. He’s my brother. He won’t lay a finger on me and if you’re determined on renting it out I’ll be your new tenant.”

  “You can’t afford the electric bill, let alone the mortgage.”

  “You have no idea what I’m capable of. How much were you asking?”

  “Three grand.”

  I’m not shocked. “How much is the real mortgage?”

  “Three grand.”

  “What is with men and lies? Do you really think I’m an idiot?”

  “Fine. It’s two grand.” I still don’t really think it’s the truth.

  “When is it due?”

  “It doesn’t matter. The guy was willing to pay a deposit up front, so unless you have it, I’ll be renting this dump.”

  I shove him again, this time until he’s up against the door. “You can’t threaten me. I’ll get your fucking money when you get the company books for the last two years.”

  This time I know I have him by the balls. Maybe Linc was right. Tuck is withholding information, and I’m about to figure out what it is. “It’s with the accountant.”

  “Give me the number then. I’ll be glad to head over and pick up the files, if you weren’t smart enough to save them on the computer system.”

  Did this idiot think I forgot how to do the books? “I’m offering an easy solution, so unless there’s something you don’t want me finding out, I suggest you show me the books.”

  He scratches his head. “Crane has them, okay. He’s done the books for the past few years.”

  I give him a concentrated stare. To be honest, I don’t know what to believe. “I talked to Linc.”

  “So what? He hasn’t been around for years, so that was a worthless conversation.”

  “What are you hiding, Tuck? Why the hell are you being so shady? I’m your sister not the enemy.”

  “Ever since you arrived you’ve been pushing, insinuating things, and causing problems.“

  “Problems? I want answers.”

  He grabs the door knob and starts to walk out, which is so unexpected I don’t react. “Good luck getting them. Go fuck yourself, Raimey. I’m getting the guy’s money in the morning. Find somewhere else to live.”

  He slams the door, causing Zeus to go crazy. I slide down to the floor and look around the place that was once our precious home. It hurts that he thinks of it as nothing but a profit. Whatever he’s hiding is big, and I’m going to figure it out, whether he tells me or not.

  Chapter 9

  Cobra Bitch: An intensely bitchy girl who also likes to plot and scheme.

  The sound of my phone ringing wakes me. The first thing I notice is that the sun isn’t up yet. When I reach for the device I remember I had my number changed and haven’t given it to a single person. Thinking it’s for the person who used to have the number, I ignore the call.

  It rings again.

  I ignore it for a second time.

  It rings again.

  Disturbed doesn’t begin to explain how frustrated I am. I want to sleep. It’s dark outside. Sure, birds are singing, but it’s not time to wake up. If I had to guess I’d say it’s before six. Lifting the phone to my ear is a real struggle. I’m used to sleeping in and staying up half the night. It’s just how I’m wired.

  “Hello?” I manage in my current state.

  “Raims, it’s me.”

  I sit straight up and look around the room. There’s no reason I suspect Crane Lord to be in the apartment, but I’m half asleep and not thinking clearly. Zeus puts his head up and then back down. He can’t be bothered with my morning stupidity.

  I’m rubbing my eyes as I speak. “If I hang up, will you stop calling?”

  “No.”

  “I’ll turn my phone off.”

  “I’ll come over.”

  “Don’t you have an ex girlfriend you need to find and make up with?” I know I screwed things up for him, but I figured he’d use his charm and convince her I was lying.

  “What do you think I’m doing right now?”

  I roll my eyes. “Please, spare me the jokes this early. What the hell do you want, Crane?”

  “I want you to come over to my office today. There’s something I want to discuss with you.”

  “Discuss it now.”

  “I can’t. Be here at noon. I’ll order lunch.”

  “No.” It’s silent. “Hello? Crane?” I look at my phone and see he’s hung up.

  That’s when I notice his name disappear from the screen. Realizing he took my phone last night when I was in my room pouting, I shoot him a message, because calling back isn’t happening.

  You suck. Usually people ask for a phone number, they don’t steal it. - R

  That wouldn’t have been as fun. Good morning. When you let the dog out, grab the box on the porch. I’d hate for him to ruin the contents. – C

  I hate you. – R

  No. You. Don’t. – C

  See you soon. – C

  I toss my phone on the floor and pull the covers over my head hoping to go back to sleep.

  The sun is up when my eyes open again. Zeus is shoving his cold nose against my cheek to tell me he has to go outside. I stretch and rub him on the head before standing. My phone on the floor tells me I wasn’t dreaming. Crane really did steal my number and call me. He expects me to visit him today. I’m not going. No. Freaking. Way.

  Zeus is waiting at the door. As bad as I have to pee, I hold it in order to let him out. Wearing only my T-shirt, I step onto the metal porch. The dog goes nuts, smelling a square pink box that’s sitting unopened. I pick it up and open the flap, noticing it’s the most spectacular sight. When I was growing up here there was this deli that made fresh doughnuts to order. The smell of them radiates through my nostrils as I dip my hand in and grab one out. The powdered sugar presses against my lip as I take my first bite. The creamy inside is like an orgasm in my mouth. I’m in heaven, completely forgetting who delivered these delectable treats.

  Zeus finishes his morning duties, while I scarf down a whole doughnut without breathing. I’m onto the second one by the time the door slams shut. After three I feel like I’m going to explode, but it was worth it. Crane may be an asshole, but maybe I can take advantage of his generosity. It’s evident he’s looking for forgiveness.

  Then it hits me. I can use that to my advantage. Using the remainder of the morning to devise my plan, I shower and dress before leaving the apartment. I’ve done my hair, and even put on makeup, which I rarely do. Feeling like I’m about to dance with the devil, I use the drive over to his shop to conjure up some courage. Crane can read me, so I have to make it convincing. One way or another, I’ll figure out what happened to the company, and then come up with a strategy to get it back, even if I have to use what I know will work to make it happen.

  Standing out front of the fancy garage that belongs to my ex, I contemplate turning around and forgetting this convoluted idea. There’s a good chance he’ll see right through me. Not knowing what to expect, I make my way up the stairs and walk right through the door. Surprisingly, this office reminds me of how our apartment used to be before it was converted into living quarters. The front office is empty, the lights all turned off like the place isn’t operational. Until I hear his voice, I worry maybe I got the time wrong, or Crane just wanted me to feel like an idiot for showing up to absolutely nothing. I smell onions as I make my way to his personal office. The room is well lit with the curtains pulled away from the windows to let the sun shine in. He smiles as I enter, and stands to greet me, yet doesn’t leave the confines of his desk. “I knew you’d show.”

  “If you make a big deal out of it I’ll turn around and pretend it never happened.”

  “You wouldn’t,” he playfully challenges. “Damn, you look hot. Went out of your way to impress me, I see. It must have been the doughnuts.”

  “Don’t tempt me from turning around walking back out of here. The day is only half over.”

  “Shut up and sit down. It’s not like that. Besides, I’m fully aware you didn’t show up to fuck.”

  I’m standing across from his desk when I notice the selection of foods he’s provided for our lunch. There’s a wrapped cold cut sub, some kind of Chinese, and several bags of chips. I take the seat and begin to sort through the items like they’re all for me. This is how Crane won’t know what hit him. I’ll play into this little plan of his, but only because the end result will be to my advantage. I can play into his hand. It’s not hard when he still looks so damn hot, especially with that button up shirt being undone halfway, and how his bare tattooed chest peeks out of it. I can picture myself shoving the food off the desk and climbing over for a better inspection.