Page 1 of Jack

Chapter1

The glass—or rather a heavytumbler—almost found its mark. Fortunately for the target, itstopped just an inch to the left and he considered himself lucky.

Watching from his place around the heavymahogany counter where he was polishing a set of brand-new glasswares, Zachary wondered idly if he should abandon the task andintervene. The poor sucker was not taking his feet and galloping outthe door but was making his way warily towards his sister, who waslifting a heavy ashtray to use as artillery.

With a resigned sigh, he put the cloth downand made his way to the far end of the counter, catching her hand asshe started to heft the crystal. And still the idiot stands there asif caught in a spell.

Zach, as he was fondly called, had to admitthat it was not difficult to be ensnared by Zuri's beauty, and whenshe was on a tear like she was now, she was magnificent. Her coffeeand cream skin glowed with moisture under the muted recessed lightand magnificent mahogany eyes flashed furiously.

"Enough." Gripping her slenderwrist, her brother wrestled the ash tray away and put it out ofharm's reach. Swinging his gaze to the fool cowering near the door,he jerked his head. "Go away and don't come back."

"But—"

"If you're not gone in five seconds, Iam letting go of her." He hissed the warning, holding thewrithing hundred and ten pounds of furious woman against him.

"If she would just hear me out—"he looked pleadingly at Zuri who all but snarled at him.

"I was in trouble and needed somemoney—"

"You lying piece of crap! You stolefrom me and the next call will be from my lawyer. I know where youlive, you piece of garbage, and I am going to gut you like the slimyfish you are."

"Zuri—"

"Man, get the hell out." Zach wasbecoming weary with the scene. He had work to do. The bar was quietnow, but within the next hour, things would be rocking.

With one last hopeful look at the fierybeauty, the man slunk out the door.

"You're hurting me." She shovedat him and when he did not budge, was tempted to use her feet.

"Don't even think about it." Hisgolden-brown eyes twinkled with mirth as he read her correctly. "Andyou're damn well paying for that glass and the others." Shakinghis head, he released her and stood there staring at the temperrolling off her. He expected steam to be coming out of her ears. Hissister was known for her hot flash of temper and her big heart aswell as her beauty.

He knew her just as well as he knewhimself. They were twins and as close as two people could be withoutwearing the same skin. In a few minutes, she would calm down anddazzle the crowd that would be swarming inside shortly.

"Go to hell." She huffed out abreath, already winding down. "That son of a bitch stole fromme."

"That son of a bitch is smitten andstupid with it." Turning away from her, he went back to thetask. "And you're cleaning up the mess."

Glaring at him, she dragged off her apronand folded it away. Even in her tantrum, she was as neat as a pin.

"I'll get the broom and I'll be in theoffice." She swung around to look at him. "You should havemade me brain him."

"And spend my afternoon bailing youout of the county jail." He shook his head. "I have toomuch to do. The bar would have to be closed, and we would have lost—"

"Oh, bite me." With a flounce,she marched towards the closet area to get the cleaning supplies andhad him grinning after her and shaking his head.

Putting away the set he had been workingon, he picked up another and decided that some classical music woulddo the trick of calming her down. With that in mind, he worked thesound system concealed behind a row of shelves and very soon, thesound of Beethoven Symphony's No. 5 swelled and poured out of theoverhead speakers.

Picking up his rag, he only smiled as shereturned with dustpan and broom to sweep away glass and startedswaying to the swell of music.

"I am still mad at you." The taskfinished, she came over and leaning on the counter, kissed him on thelips.

"I know." Putting the rag down,he tugged at the gold-tipped curl that had escaped the neat pile shehad put her hair in. "He's not worth your time."

"You're right." She sighed andshook her head. "I certainly know how to pick them." Sheadmitted ruefully. "A broke ass moron who slipped my credit cardout while I went to the ladies. And stiffed me with the bill at therestaurant." She shrugged philosophically. "What the hellis wrong with me?"

"Nothing." Her brother told herfirmly, cupping a hand at her cheek. "One day you're going tofind a good man who deserves to be with you. Don't settle for less."

"You're right of course."

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