“Ow. I’m kidding. Not that we’ll be married, of course. Next year, when I’ve had time to ease you into the idea. We’ll start smaller, figure out where to live. Then in the far future, we’ll talk about kids. I have no problem being a house husband, just so you know.”
“Yeah, right.” Yet the thought of future children didn’t panic her the way it once would have. “I’m not scared of a life with you, Mack.”
“I’m terrified of a life without you, Cass.” He drew her closer for a kiss. “There’s only one other thing I’m scared of.”
“What?”
“The amount of pain you’ll bring to my friends when they run you through the gauntlet.”
She laughed. He’d described how important it was for the right ladies in their lives to get along with the crew. But Mack wasn’t worried at all. Cass knew what being in service meant. And she already liked Tex. She figured Brad and Reggie would be just as fun to decimate in a competition.
***
An hour later, they’d decided to go out for lunch. They hit one of the best sandwich shops in town. Normally, the line out the door would preclude anyone from getting a spot. But Mack was friends with the owner, a prior Air Force buddy, and had called in a favor. So when the indoor seating closed, leaving only a pickup window for call-in orders, Mack and Cass sat in the back and devoured their steak sandwiches.
“He’s really from Philly,” Mack said around a mouthful. “That’s why his sandwiches taste so good while also telling you to go fuck yourself.”
A middle finger appeared from around the corner near the kitchen, causing them both to laugh.
They had just filled their drinks from the soda fountain when Xavier, of all people, showed up in civvies and sat down with them. Uninvited.
“Okay, we’re gonna have this out,” he said through gritted teeth.
“How’d you know I was here?”
“I followed you from your house.”
“Stalk much?” Cass muttered.
He glared at her. He glared at Mack. Xavier Revere, the epitome of attitude.
“Well, hello there, Xavier.” Cass gave him a fake smile. “How absolutely lovely to see you.”
“Yeah, yeah. Hi, Cass.”
“Look, Mack. An honest-to-goodness police officer out of uniform. So handsome and honest, sworn to defend the public and to uphold a code of honor.”
“Except when he’s maligning his own brother to some chick he works with,” Mack muttered. At her look, he cleared his throat. “I meant some amazing officer he’s lucky to be in the same room with.”
“Better.”
“Though I’m not sure I’d call him handsome.”
“But he looks like you.”
Mack relaxed a little. “Well, okay then.”
“Hey, Mackenzie. Ignore her for a minute, okay? I’m sorry for warning you off.” Xavier seemed to bite out the words. “James lit into me last night. And Alec told me off the day after our Thanksgiving dinner. Apparently, he and Dean are done with me until I clean up my act.” He snorted. “Whatever that means.” Yet it obviously meant something, or Xavier wouldn’t have hunted his brother down.
Cass looked him over, seeing the similarities between the brothers. She preferred Mack’s smiling eyes to Xavier’s more serious ones. Her lover’s giving soul to his brother’s needy one.
“You’re interrupting my lunch. Get to the point.” Mack was no longer smiling.
Before Xavier could answer, a giant stormed up to the table and glared down at them. “You.”
“For fuck’s sake, I thought this place was closed.” Mack groaned. “I’m eating, Templeton. What do you want now?”
“Wait. Is this the guy who punched you?” Cass stared. This man washuge, at least several inches taller and broader than Mack.
