Page 30 of Stone
“She seems like a nice gal. If I weren’t hitched, I might give you a run for her.” Kage burst into laughter when I all but lunged across the table at him.
“Touch her and die, buddy boy.” I’ll be damned if my cock wasn’t tingling all over again. “Yeah, she is special. She’s like a light that turns on when everything around you is pitch black. She has that way of shimmering in the shadows. And her smile? Shit, thatwoman’s smile could light up an entire power grid for a big city. She has a way of batting her eyelashes that makes you tingle all over. I know it sounds crazy, but she could easily control a man by crooking her little finger.”
“Uh-huh,” Maddox choked out.
“Yep, you’re right,” Kage added.
“What?” I huffed seeing the evil grins on their face. Grabbing a chip, I munched down while still thinking about how sweet she tasted.
“You got it bad, buddy. You might as well embrace it.”
Maddox had just tossed that out when Kage’s eyes opened wide. He was staring at the doorway behind me. The one leading to the bathroom.
Well, shit.
As soon as she came closer, my balls tightened to painful drums being banged on by a fucking gorilla.
“Is this an all-male party or can a girl join in?” Her voice brought another painful reminder of how much time had gone by.
“Come on over. We have beer and wine. Whatever you’d prefer,” Kage told her as he shifted on the couch, allowing her a seat.
Wearing the tee shirt and drawstring shorts I’d provided only made her look younger than her thirty-eight years. I quickly tossed a glance in her direction as she sat down, marveling at how incredible she looked even after everything she’d gone through.
She studied the coffee table, including the open bottle of wine and chose a beer instead. I almost choked when she did. I couldremember clearly her telling me in no uncertain terms that beer wasn’t a sophisticated drink. Everything could change.
“I just wanted to say thank you for saving my life.” She nodded to both men, saving her last wistful look for me. She fingered her damp hair, offering a shy smile. “The three of you are… amazing.”
“I’d say it was all our pleasure, but I’d be lying,” Maddox said, grinning when he did. “But you’re welcome.”
“I don’t know how to repay you. Not on my salary at least.” She tried to make light of what she’d endured, but her face remained pinched.
Kage huffed. “No need. Your father took care of that.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth and after the nasty look I shot him, he groaned. “But that’s not why we agreed, Daniella. Anyone who’s special to a friend of ours is considered family. We help each other.”
Her smile was even more tentative, but I knew the woman well enough to realize she was furious her father had tossed money at the situation. “I assume my father didn’t pay the ransom.”
I shook my head. “Honestly, we don’t know what happened. We were asked to track you down and rescue you. That might be something you mention when you see him in a couple days.”
“Oh, I don’t plan on seeing him ever again.” She pulled her legs under her, huffing as if disgusted with the suggestion.
Kage lifted his eyebrows. “From what I heard, your dad was really worried.”
“I doubt that. You don’t know him. Just ask Stone. My father only cares about himself and his career.”
I sensed Kage and Maddox were uncomfortable.
“People can change, Dani.” I didn’t have any idea why I bothered offering her an out with her father. The guy could be a good actor, but as the old saying went, a leopard couldn’t change his spots.
“Not everyone, Stone.” Her voice was riddled with pain and anger.
“You know what? I’d like a little air. Kind of nice outside. Care to join me, Kage?” Maddox stood, his eyes imploring.
“Yeah, I think that’s a damn good idea.” Kage grabbed another beer before heading toward the back door.
She watched them go, trying to smile while I could see anxiety remaining in her eyes. “Dad doesn’t care about me.”
“I don’t know what you want me to say, Dani. He asked if I’d help.”
“I can’t believe he’d come to you after all these years. Why? Why bring you back into the picture again after…” She’d tilted her head in my direction and her unwillingness to finish the sentence meant she still held some animosity against me.
