Alec sighed. “We’re a family long on tradition, which is both good and bad.” He shot Mack a look. “All my grandparents have served as cops or soldiers. My dad was Army before he settled down and married my mom—who was also Army. Then they both worked for the Seattle PD, Dad as a cop, Mom as an administrator who’s still administrating. James and I joined the Army before the Seattle PD. But Xavier took the direct road and majored in criminal justice before joining the force.”
“He also took a sabbatical to join the Army Reserves before coming back to the police department,” Mack explained, “which is why he’s not a higher rank in the department.”
“Plus he loves what he does,” Alec said.
“He’s loud enough about it,” Cass said, amusing Mack and his brother, “but he’s a good cop.”
High praise coming from Cass.
Alec nodded. “So how did you and Mack meet anyway?”
“Well, first she lost to the Burning Embers at a baseball game. Then she gave me a ticket for speeding,” Mack said, amused to see Cass flush.
“It was a warning, Mack. And it was your own fault for doing forty-five in a thirty-five.”
“More like fifty.” He saw her eyes narrow and coughed. “Yep, you’re right. I was too fast.”
Alec shook his head. “He’s obsessed with Vella.”
“Vella?” Cass lifted a brow Mack’s way.
“My 1970 Chevelle. A classic tuxedo black with white supersport stripes.” He sighed, still in love.
Cass smirked. “A car has all that devotion. Should I be jealous?”
Mack winked at her. “She’s got nothing on your lines, baby.”
Alec and Cass at the same time said, “Baby?”
“The looks on your faces.” Mack chuckled. “I’m kidding. Not about the car, who is amazing.”
“That. Cars aren’t ‘who.’ Cars are ‘that.’”
Mack cringed. “And still grammaticallywayincorrect. Anyway, my dad gave me that car. I helped rebuild the engine with him.”
“It—”
“She,” Mack corrected, in love with the car and for so many more reasons than Alec realized. Working with his dad on the Chevelle had given them something in common. They still talked about cars to this day. Not Station 44, not Mack’s past service in the Air Force. Cars.
Alec rolled his eyes. “Shewas Dad’s pride and joy until he bought the Shelby,” Alec informed Cass. “I think my mom was relieved when he handed it down to our car monkey. Mack’s obsessed with anything that has wheels.”
“That’s why I like Cass so much. She has wheels. She’sfast.Like a cheetah on the soccer field. That’s where I ran into her the third time.”
Alec brightened. “Oh. So this is the cop who took you down. Nice, Cass.”
She nodded. “It was a beautiful slide tackle, if I say so myself.”
Mack watched her chat with his brother, enamored with this comfortable, tough-talking beauty. She seemed so confident in herself, having fun. She didn’t flirt or pretend to be any less than she was—a powerful woman who knew her own worth. Cass didn’t need him to do anything for her. If she wanted something, she’d ask. He didn’t sense in her a woman who played games.
Was it any wonder he thought about her all the time? Missed her when she wasn’t with him?
“Enchanting in a kick-your-ass kind of way,” he said aloud, aware his brother and Cass were watching him moon over her.
“Oh boy. Baby brother is enamored.” Alec snickered. “Wait until I tell Mom.”
Cass’s cheeks turned pink, and she glared at Mack. “Cut it out.”
He smiled. “Sorry. I can’t help myself.” Before she could kick him under the table, he turned to his brother and said, “So what about the wedding did you need help with?”
