Page 39 of May 11

She squeezed his balls and gripped him tighter. Speeding up, she worked her mouth back and forth with a fierce need to help him.

He swung out, hitting his fist against the door, and grabbed the van's interior. Coming up on his toes, he roared.

Come coated the back of her throat. She swallowed, suctioning down on him harder.

He rocked back on his boots.

His breathing came harshly.

She slowed, letting him down easily until his hand relaxed on top of her head and let go of her hair, stroking her to ease the pain he'd inflicted. She leaned back, sitting on the back of her ankles.

She couldn't stand up if she'd wanted to. She had no idea what had happened.

He'd needed her. And she'd done the only thing that came to mind.

Whatever happened on his ride with the club bothered him enough he sought comfort from her.

Chapter Sixteen

RAIN CASCADED OVER the gutter's edge, creating a miniature waterfall in front of Whale's Tail Coffee Shop. The overflow splattered onto the pavement, forming a tiny stream into the street. Cora, Dania, and Brooke huddled by the window, each cradling a cup of coffee. The shop had been empty of customers since the storm's onset an hour ago.

"I've never seen so much rain." She brought the cup to her lips, inhaling the warmth.

Despite being the first day of July and yesterday's temperatures reaching ninety degrees, today had started with overcast skies and fifty degrees. Now, high winds and a torrential downpour showed up.

"Where are you from?" Dania enjoyed a coffee, too, during their down time.

"Los Angeles." Cora gestured dismissively. "The city of silicone, cosmetic procedures, and waif-like women. As you can see, I blended in with the crowd."

Brooke gave her a friendly elbow jab. "You're stunning."

"To be honest, I had a sheltered upbringing and attended private school. I didn't learn about the standards until I reached my teen years." Cora shrugged. "Though, I will say, leaving California was liberating. I now see other women with my body type."

Dania nodded. "That's what I love about Seaglass cove. Nobody has to fit a mold. There are so many artists and eccentric individuals calling the area home. It's something you don't find in other places."

Cora's gaze returned to the rain-soaked view. She had instantly recognized the charm of Seaglass Cove. It was the kind of place she could envision settling down in if not for her ongoing search for her brother.

Now that she had job security and Dania was happy with her ability to do the work, she knew it was time to confide in them. She knew them well enough that they wouldn't judge her for having an ulterior motive for working at the coffee shop.

She pulled out the picture from her apron pocket and held it out in front of Dania and Brooke. "Have you ever seen this man around town?"

Her good intentions to walk around the business section of town and ask people if they recognized her brother fell to the wayside when Wire explained how the man who shot Rush could be after her because she witnessed the crime.

"He doesn't look familiar to me." Brooke shifted out of the way.

Dania took the photo and angled it toward the natural light filtering through the window. "I don't think he's a local. I've lived here all my life and don't recognize him." She held the photo closer. "Is this an old picture?"

"Yeah." She exhaled. "It's the last picture I have of him. He would be in his late forties now."

"Oh, so really old. The guy looks like a teenager in the photo." Dania frowned. "Who is he to you?"

"My older brother."

Brooke gasped. "You're only twenty-one years old. How can he be your brother?"

She knew the question would come if she told them the truth. It wasn't that she was embarrassed about her family dynamics.

Everything happened before she was born. If it had happened last year or ten years ago, she would've fought to the death to keep in contact with her brother. Family was everything to her, and her brother had no idea she existed.

---