“I wish I had more time. If I did, I might be inclined to pay the asshole a visit,” he said, his voice and facial expression showing he was pissed off, which was shocking to me when we had just met.
It also felt good.
The guys also had said while Brett was a dick, they didn’t think he was involved in the notes or tire slashing judging by what was written or the images of the person on the camera by my car. Braxton made it clear that Bodie had given the douchebag an up close and personal warning. I saw respect shine in Paxton’s eyes. He nodded at Bodie and my man gave him a chin lift in return.
When they told him about the shooting, I thought he was going to come unglued.
“What the hell?” He jumped up from his chair and ran his hand through his hair.
He was either a really good actor or he took this sister thing seriously. I was praying it was the latter because finding out he was pretending to care would hurt. A lot. Even though he’d only walked into my life an hour ago, there was a connection. At least I felt one.
After assuring Paxton they were still working with law enforcement and searching for more clues regarding the accident, the guys also told him about his mother and the money that our father had been sending her before he died.
The shock on his face told me he didn’t know about that and I wondered what kind of relationship he and his mother had. But nobody knew if she was involved in the hateful shit that had been going on. Although, it did sound like she had problems.
Paxton promised to go check in on her and speak with her as soon as he finished the next search and rescue job he’d already signed on for. He’d been in the Air Force for years as a pararescueman and when he left, he went freelance helping on many civil search and rescue missions.
Even though I just met him, I felt a bubbling feeling rush through me when he talked about it because I was proud of him. Maybe some would think that was silly but to find out I had a brother who seemed as badass as all the other men I considered brothers was pretty damn cool.
For some reason, I trusted him. I wasn’t sure if that was a mistake but it was a feeling I had. That wasn’t the case with Bodie even though they had shared that moment earlier in the conversation. Bodie wouldn’t take his eyes off us as we spoke more privately later on. That didn’t upset me, it made me feel more cherished. Even Paxton didn’t seem to mind that he was being scrutinized.
“I think it’s great you have so many people who care about you the way they do. Don’t ever take that for granted,” Paxton said.
There was a sadness in his eyes and longing in his voice. My heart sank thinking that he didn’t have that and maybe never did in some ways. While I still wished for my parents to have been right there with me, I was so thankful for everyone that had come into my life that I had now.
Glancing toward the big living area where everyone was hanging out, I nodded in their direction. “I know we could probably talk for days but it’s Christmas. Why don’t you join us?” I held my breath waiting for his answer, hoping he’d say yes and the others would be okay with it.
“I’m not sure that’s the best idea or that your friends would appreciate that too much,” he said, letting out an uncomfortable chuckle.
I stood and grabbed his hand, not ready for him to leave yet. He’d said at one point he’d come back, but what if he didn’t?
“Of course it’s a good idea, they are amazing people. Sure they’re over protective, but they’ll get past that one day.”
He looked at me as if he wasn’t quite sure he believed me.
“Please?” I quickly added, my eyes pleading with him as I dropped his hand.
“Okay… if you’re sure—”
Anything else he was about to say was cut off as we heard a guitar start to play and a chorus of voices start singing, “Jingle Bells”.
My feet moved in the direction of the sound. God, I loved these times with my family.
And now I had another person to join the big, wonderful group.
I found myself hoping once again.
Something I had done a lot since Paxton walked through the door.
* * *
One second Paxtonwas right behind me, and then the next, he wasn’t.
We’d started walking into the big living room where everyone was gathered but I realized he stopped. When I turned around, I was about as stunned as he looked.
He wasn’t looking at everyone, his gaze was trained on one person.Capri.
“Holy shit,” Paxton mumbled.
