Authors: Parker Kincade
Amanda blushed to her toes. “As much as we’ve … well, he shouldn’t be hungry.” Amanda laughed, urging Sam toward the couch. “Get comfy. I’ll grab us a bottle of wine.”
When she reentered the living room, she found Sam curled up on one end of the couch, her legs drawn up to her chest. “You okay?” Amanda sank into the other end of the couch and faced her.
Sam jumped at the sound of Amanda’s voice.
What the hell?
Sam was never jumpy.
“I’m sorry for barging in on your weeklong sexfest, Amanda. I just needed to get away for a bit. I hope you don’t mind.”
Amanda handed her the wine bottle. Screw the glasses. As if on cue, Sam raised the bottle to her lips and drank. And drank. And drank.
“Whoa there, slow down.” Amanda grabbed the bottle. “First off, of course it’s okay that you’re here. To be honest, I could use a little female company. Not that I’ve minded the male company I’ve had.” She wagged her eyebrows suggestively.
“So, about that.” Sam hiccupped lightly. “Do tell. And don’t leave anything out. He’s as hot as a firecracker. And aren’t those just the bluest eyes you’ve ever seen? Is he as hot in the sack?”
“Sam!”
“Well? I gotta get my rocks off somehow! Might as well live vicariously through you.
“What are you talking about? Since when do you live like a nun?”
“Since your brother—” She stopped abruptly, clamping her lips shut so tight they turned white.
Amanda gasped. “You didn’t?” She took a long draw from the bottle. “Please tell me you didn’t.”
Sam snorted with disgust. “Of course I didn’t. Why on earth would I want to sleep with the most annoying, arrogant, self-centered, egotistical—”
“All right, all right.” She passed the bottle back. “I get it.”
I don’t get it.
“What’s he done now?” She suddenly wished she’d grabbed something stronger than wine.
The floodgates opened on a string of curse words. “Why he thinks it’s his right to watch over me just pisses me off. I can’t go anywhere, do anything without him right there … watching, hovering. I mean really, Amanda, would
you
go home with me if you had to go through Caleb to do it? I’m about at my wit’s end … and not just because I can’t get laid.”
Amanda was so confused. Maybe it was the wine. “Tell me again why Caleb is following you? Why in the hell would Caleb follow you?” She wasn’t sure if she was asking Sam or herself.
Sam was quiet for a long time. Amanda watched her carefully as they passed the bottle back and forth. She knew an explanation would come, but it would be on Sam’s terms. As was everything else in Sam’s life. Amanda suspected that was the reason she and Caleb were at each other’s throats all the time. Two control freaks vying to be the one in control. It was a recipe for disaster.
Finally Sam spoke. “You remember that case I took last year? The woman I helped get a divorce after her husband beat her to within an inch of her life?”
Amanda remembered. It was a particularly brutal case that had tied her best friend in knots. Amanda had helped Sam secure a new identity for the woman so she could relocate and try to rebuild her life. Of course, Sam hadn’t divulged any of the details. Just that the woman’s life was in danger and she needed a new start. “Sure I do. What does that have to do with Caleb?”
“The husband has been around,” Sam said simply.
Amanda eyed her suspiciously. “Around … how?”
Sam shrugged. “Can’t prove anything. Remember when someone broke into my office?”
“Of course I do.” Amanda had demanded Caleb allow Sam to move her office into their building because of it.
“The divorce file was the only one missing,” Sam continued. “It’s a good thing I’m not that stupid.”
Amanda gave her a puzzled look.
“I didn’t leave a paper trail, Amanda. I was careful in relocating Matteo’s wife. Her life depended on it. He can look all he wants; he won’t find anything.” Sam uttered a tired sigh. “But apparently he’s not done looking because my apartment was ransacked. I crashed at Alec’s, who, of course, blabbed to Caleb. Caleb was furious that someone got into my building, although I can’t even begin to imagine why.” Sam slumped back into the arm of the couch. “I’m not real happy about any of it either. Caleb and I had a fight … in a bar, no less. I know”—she rubbed her forehead—“imagine that, right? I came clean about how I helped the wife. I learned a few words I’d never heard before during
that
conversation.” She smiled slightly. “Don’t worry. I left you out of it. There’s no way anyone will find out you helped me, not even Caleb.”
Matteo.
“Wait.” Amanda’s mind was racing. “Wait just a goddamn minute. Matteo? As in
Vincent
Matteo? Corporate tycoon? The Vincent Matteo whose fingers are into everything from governmental policy to a possible tie to the
mob
?” Amanda could feel her voice rising. Okay, so she knew the mob thing wasn’t substantiated, but still. “
That’s
the wife-beater who got off because evidence was
accidentally
lost?
That’s
the man you suspected had bribed a guy inside the police department?” Sam’s eyes narrowed on her, but she didn’t care. “Are you telling me that this is the same guy who’s trying to get to you now?”
“How do you know about all of that?” Sam demanded. Another string of curses flowed from Sam’s mouth. “Caleb.”
“He called me this afternoon and asked me to do a background check. Didn’t tell me why. You connected the dots when you said his name.”
Sam didn’t say anything as she reached for her cell. She tapped her fingers against her leg as she put the phone to her ear and waited. Amanda assumed it was Caleb who’d answered when Sam yelled, “Who the fuck do you think you are? Having your sister run a background check?” A moment passed. “What do you mean how do I know about that? I’m sitting directly across from her! No, she’s not home, I’m at Fawn Glade. Don’t you dare act all relieved to know where I am, you fucking bastard. Did you have someone hack into my goddamn client list?”
Amanda shook her head as Sam shot her an accusatory glare. “Wasn’t me,” she mouthed.
Sam growled into the phone. “You’re not my brother or my father, nor are you my husband. I don’t have to tell you shit.” Another moment. “Mind your own fucking business, Caleb. This doesn’t have anything to do with you.” Amanda watched as Sam’s face paled slightly. “No, I wasn’t fucking followed. Yes, I’m sure! I’d never—” Sam paled further as she listened into the phone. “Fine. I’ll come back tonight, but I’m going to a hotel. No. Absolutely not. Hotel, period. End of discussion. Whichever one I want to stay in, that’s where!” Another pause, and then, “Go to hell, horseman.” She ended the call and tossed her phone on the table.
“What’s all the yelling about?” Joe strode into the room, looking incredibly sexy in his jeans and bare feet. Amanda’s mouth watered as he ran his fingers through his wet hair.
“Sam was talking to Caleb.”
“Ah.” As if that was all that was needed to explain the yelling. “I don’t know about you girls, but I’m not drinking wine. How about something a little stronger to warm your bellies?”
* * * *
Dinner wasn’t quite the disaster Amanda thought it would be. She and Sam sat at the table while Joe informed them that, yes, even he could boil water. Sam had brought in a bottle of rum and offered to share. Amanda and Joe declined, opting for beer instead. Amanda had no intention of getting drunk tonight. She wanted to be at full capacity for whatever Joe had planned for her. If the looks he kept sending her way were any indication, it was going to be good.
His cell phone rang, surprising her. He glanced at it and with a terse “Excuse me, ladies,” he was gone. It was the first time since she’d known him that it had rung. It made her curious. Curious about his life. About who’d be calling him. If it was a woman that was calling him. Thoughts like that could drive a girl nuts.
“I hope
Italiano
for dinner works for both of you,” he said as he sauntered back into the kitchen a few minutes later, entertaining them with his best Italian accent. “It’s about all I can do.” He gave no indication as to the conversation he’d just had.
“How did you learn to do that so well?” Sam asked.
“Cook pasta?”
“No, smart-ass. The accent.”
“It’s sexy,” Amanda threw in before she could slam her mouth shut. Joe gave her a look that would melt the clothes off a saint.
“Uh, guys?” Sam waved her hand in front of Amanda’s face. “Company, remember?”
Amanda swigged from her beer and smirked. “Can you blame me? I mean …
look
at him.” She gestured in his direction with her bottle. She blocked her mouth with her hand so Joe wouldn’t see. “Isn’t he fantastic?” she mouthed to Sam, happy they were okay after her stellar performance of a jealous bitch.
Sam giggled back at her. “So, Mr. Hot Stuff—”
“Name’s Joe. Not ‘Mr. Hot Stuff,’” he grumbled, which just set off another round of giggles from Sam.
“The accent?”
He shrugged. “Spent some time in Italy a few years back.”
“What on earth were you doing in Italy?”
Joe gave Sam a droll stare. “Shopping.”
“Riiiight,” she said as she winked at Amanda. “Shopping. I’ll bet you bought the greatest shoes, didn’t you?”
He chuckled and shook his head. “No shoes, but I got a great pair of boots I can introduce you to.”
She laughed again. “I like him, Amanda. He’s got spunk.”
“I like him too,” Amanda said with way more feeling than she’d intended.
Oops.
She noted the curious way Joe stared at her before turning back to the stove.
“I met this old Italian woman in Trieste who took pity on me,” he said. “I think she thought I’d starve if she didn’t take me in and feed me enormous amounts of food.” His face took on a gentle expression. “She told me that if a man only knew how to cook one thing, it should be pasta. So she taught me.”
“Trieste? Never heard of it,” Sam said.
“It’s on the eastern border,” he returned casually.
“The border of Slovenia?” Amanda asked as her brain sifted through the geography.
He shot her a warning look. “Let’s eat.”
“Wow, touchy,” Sam observed.
Amanda nodded in agreement, but they both let it go.
“So, Joe,” Sam started after they’d settled in to eat, “you from around here?”
“For the most part, yes. I grew up here.”
“And your parents?”
He shook his head. “Just me and Jake.”
“Jake?”
“Younger brother,” Amanda added for him. “He’s cute too.”
“Interesting,” Sam said smoothly, “I’ve always liked the young ones. Any chance of an introduction?”
“I’m not Jake’s pimp.” Joe acted offended, but Amanda could tell by the humor in his eye that he liked Sam’s candor.
“You told Caleb you were headed back tonight,” Amanda reminded gently.
Sam’s eyes blazed. “Wouldn’t wanna disappoint the horseman now, would I?” She looked at Amanda. “Why the hell is he on my ass all of a sudden?” When Amanda didn’t offer a response, she continued. “Let’s see how much sleep he gets tonight as he searches every last hotel to find me. Hmm, maybe I’ll check in under a different name.” Her smile was pure evil.
“Caleb is right, Sam,” Joe said.
Her gaze snapped to his. “What do you know about it?”
He pushed his plate away with a sigh. Leaning back in his chair, he crossed his arms over his chest as he considered her. “Enough to know you’re foolish to play with your own life.” He shrugged at her questioning gaze. “He called me. He sounded … concerned.” Amanda tried not to look relieved to learn it had been Caleb on the phone.
Sam made an unladylike sound. “He called you because he’s concerned I let the douche bag follow me to his precious sister. As if I’d ever willingly put Amanda in danger. Asshole.”
He nodded. “True enough, but he knows you’re both safe with me.”
Sam eyed him cautiously. “And just who are you?”
“As crazy as this sounds, Joe and Caleb know each other.” Amanda watched as Sam digested this new tidbit of information.
Sam just looked defeated. “Of course. What are the odds?” she whispered to herself. “The fourth horseman,” she said ironically. “Look, Amanda.” She waved her hand absently at Joe. “Now we have the whole set. Four impossibly arrogant males who think they always know best.”
Joe raised a brow at Amanda. She shook her head in that “don’t ask” kind of way.
“So you’re taking his side?”
“This isn’t about sides, Samantha. But if it were, I’m firmly on the side that keeps you safe. Caleb can do that.”
I know he can do it,” she snapped, “he’s just so annoying about it.” She slid her rum and Coke across the table. “Fine. Better serve up some fucking coffee if I’m going to make the drive back tonight.”
* * * *
Joe was wound tighter than a drum as they stood on the porch and watched Samantha drive off. Once the coffee had been made, Amanda had brought out some cards and the three of them played several of the most enjoyable games of poker he’d ever been a part of. Those girls took cheating to a whole new level. He’d never laughed so hard in his life. That was until Amanda threw herself into his lap and kissed him stupid while Samantha attempted to trade cards with him. He couldn’t have cared less about the cards, but his dick was all about caring that Amanda was in his lap and in his mouth. He took little satisfaction in the fact that she seemed as dazed as he was after she slid back into her own chair. Mainly because she’d left him with an erection so hard he could have driven nails with it.
She turned him on even when she wasn’t trying. When she chewed on her bottom lip while thinking, it reminded him of how she did the same thing when she was about to come. She’d carelessly throw him a wink, tossing her ponytail teasingly when she was about to either steal money from Samantha’s pile or slide a card under the deck. Or she pretended to stretch, pointing her delicious breasts right at him as a distraction. So yeah, he was about to shoot off like a firecracker.
They walked back in the house together and Joe closed and locked the door.
“I guess I better get to those dishes.” Amanda started for the kitchen. “Dinner was great, by the way.”