9781618858368ForbiddenDeceptionlLeveyNC (6 page)

“No.
But, I like knowing that if I’m feeling in a bad place, I can call our brother
to come and bail me out, while you watch over Eva.” She walked the short
distance to the fridge, grabbed the covered plate of baked chicken and steamed vegetables,
prepared a plate for her daughter and nuked it.
When the
microwave beeped, she quirked a brow at her now silent sibling, who handed her
a glass of milk.
Ailyn opened the deck door and walked the plate over to
her daughter.

“Eat
while you listen. Then it’s bath time and you’ll have a half hour to read
before bed.”

“Mama,
it’s rude to eat in front of people.”

“Cord,
go grab a protein shake so she doesn’t feel like she’s breaking etiquette.”

“Are
you really coming to visit us?” her daughter asked as she shoveled a forkful of
broccoli in her mouth.

“Yep.
Your mama and
tia
miss me. Besides, I haven’t tucked you into bed in over two months, and that is
entirely too long to wait. Not to mention, that boy you have a crush on needs
to know boundaries.”

“
Tio
Cord, stop it. I don’t have a crush
on any boy. My friend Ash does though, she’s a lot older than me. All she talks
about during dance class is her boyfriend. He’s kinda cute though in a gross
way. I just want to dance and dance and dance, maybe make the Olympic
gymnastics team.”

“I
have missed watching you, peanut. I bet you are doing great at your new
school.”

Ailyn,
blew her brother a kiss, watched him catch it and tuck it to his heart, then
left the two to conspire behind her back.

“Ailyn.”
Her sister pounced.

“What?”

“You
have a missed text from Seth. Wanna know what it says?”

“Not
particularly,” she lied through her teeth and shrugged.

“Okay
then. I’ll just hit delete.” Rianna held the phone out of reach.

Ailyn
reached over to grab it and received a slap on her hand. “Quit playing.”

“Thought
you didn’t care if Seth wants to hookup or not? He sent another picture. That
is one impressive piece of eye candy there. I can totally see why you became a
cougarette at such a young age.”

“
Shhh
.
I don’t want Eva to hear you.” Ailyn wrestled with her sister for her phone and
scanned the message. She had turned beet red, she was sure of it.

“’Saran
Wrap Hottie?
I can’t wait to taste you again?’ You
didn’t tell me everything, lil sis. What are you holding back?”

“I…
uh
.
Well…” Ailyn
sputtered for an explanation.

“One
day you’ll have to give me the scoop on that, but my presence has been
requested and after seeing that major hard-on, I’m gonna go get my kicks.” Rianna
kissed her on the cheek and left.

Ailyn
followed, locking the door behind her, wondering who her sister’s current
friend with benefits was. For someone who demanded to know about everyone else,
she was tightlipped with her own personal life.

Eva
came hurtling through the kitchen and up the stairs to get ready for bed. “I
take it that your
tio
had to go?”

“Yeah.
Plus I want to read the next chapter in my book,” she yelled down the stairs.

“So
what did you two talk about?” Ailyn pulled out a glass pan and the ingredients
for vegetable and chicken lasagna for the next night’s supper and layered the
pan until it was three sections deep.

Her
phone dinged.

No answer earlier? I want to see
you soon. I’ll be teaching a few seminars the next couple of days.

After
washing her hands, she clicked her phone off and headed to bed. He could wait
for an answer. She refused to reply on his time.

Chapter Four

A
week lagged on forever while Ailyn waited for Cordero’s arrival. After he
arrived at the hotel, he texted her to say he was at the Foundry and had
grabbed a few seats for them. She enjoyed her brother’s favorite in-town spot.
The bar’s relaxed atmosphere was welcoming and they sold her favorite
appetizer—beer battered pickles and atomic chili fries.

As
she edged her way through the thick crowd to the bar, Cordero’s face broke out
in a wide grin. He winked at the pretty young thing on his lap and whispered
something in her ear. Ailyn couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Cord could be
exhausting at times, but always entertaining. The young woman slid off his lap,
and waved goodbye as she approached.

“Playboy.”

“She
wanted an autograph for her boyfriend.” He enveloped her in a bear hug and
kissed her cheek.

“More
like she wanted a snack.
You’re crushing my lungs.” He
loosened his hold and rocked with her.

“Missed
you, sis.”

“Not
as much as I’ve missed your hugs. Move here. Please,” she begged for the
hundredth time. Her brother dropped his arms from her and helped her settle
onto her barstool.

“I
can’t leave Ma. Besides, you’d get sick of me around the clock.” The bartender
dropped off a platter of loaded potato skins and a basket of beer battered
pickles along with their tall draft beers.”

“Ordering
for me?” She took a fried pickle out of the basket and popped it into her
mouth.

“I
knew you’d want a basket of those.” He smiled warmly, diving into his potato skins.
They ate in silence. Now and then he’d nudge her knee with his, like old times
growing up.

Ailyn
drained her beer and ordered a second one. “I’m excited to hear about your next
fight. Is it far away?”

Cordero
wiped his mouth.
“Yeah, a few months.
I have time to
watch tapes of my opponent and get some training done. Fight’s scheduled here.
Haven’t been back in ages.”

“I
can’t believe you’re consuming junk food along with having a beer. Cheat
night?”

“Yup.
After tonight no more junk. This is a tradition.
Beer and
skins when I visit.”

“This
is true.” She sat and ate her pickles, enjoying the light music playing in the
background.

“Someone’s
having a good night.” Her brother pointed to a table on the far side. A group
of laughing females slammed shot after shot.

“Obnoxious.
They should know they’re causing a scene.” One woman of topic left her spot at
the table, and approached the bar. Her brother whistled while her heart slammed
against her ribcage. The back of the woman’s T-shirt sported her name and the
Firehouse 17 insignia on the front. What were the odds? She dropped her gaze
before Whitier caught her ogling her. Although her brain screamed at her to
scan the crowd for Seth, she ignored the urge.

“You
are scary quiet.
Lookin’ a bit rattled.”

“I’m
fine.” The bartender dropped off a fresh beer. She gulped down the contents and
flagged him down for another.

Her
brother craned his head around, looking for the threat before turning back to
her. “You’re freaking me out, babe. Come on,” he coaxed.

Ailyn
inhaled deeply, and then face her brother. “I’m sure it’s nothing. Really, eat
your appetizer. I’m okay.”

“Whatever.
You know you looked like you saw a ghost,” he said, in between bites.

“Ripcord
Dominguez, is that you?”

Her
brother sighed and wiped his hands on a napkin. Cordero turned to his new
audience and smiled. “You caught me, in the flesh.”

“Dude
we caught your last fight on pay-per-view. Man, we’re so stoked to hear you’re
fighting here so we can catch you live.
Big fans, man, big
fans.”

“Thanks,
but I’m here with—”

“We’re
on a date.” Ailyn laid her hand on her brother’s, willing him to remain silent.
He shook his head no. She narrowed her gaze into slits and squeezed.

“You
heard the lady. Do you have anything I can sign real
quick
?”
Her brother gave her a
you owe me
an explanation now
look
.

“Nah,
we didn’t realize you were hanging with your girl. Just wanted to let you know
you got some big fans out here in the Midwest.” The males left, beers in hand
to their table.

A
shadow fell over them. She turned to face Seth and dropped her gaze.

“S’up
man.
As you can see we’re busy here. I’ll get something
signed for you later.” Her brother grew tense beside her.

“Still
the same cocky bastard, always thinking the women are all for you.”

Ailyn
didn’t miss the innuendo. She cast a confusing look toward her brother. “Do you
know him?”

Cordero
stood and cocked his head to the side. “Sorry, bro, but I don’t place you.
Where do you know me from?”

“Sports.
I see you finally learned how to make someone tap out.”

“Your
face is familiar. You were a Spartan right, on my rival team. ”

“Yeah.
Name’s Seth. Just wanted to step over and get reacquainted. I won’t intrude on
your date.”

“Oh,
you’re not intruding,” her brother joked. “My sister and I were just having a
bite to eat and catching up. Why don’t you join us?”

Ailyn
kicked him under the table.

“What?
Dude is cool.
Played sports with him all through high school.”

In
what world did she land in where her brother knew her
ex.
The beginning of a headache took root. She sat back and nursed her beer as the
two got reacquainted with each other.

“Game
of pool?”
Seth asked Cordero.

“Sounds
good.
Ailyn, I’ll be back in a few, gonna go shoot a game
of pool with the guys. Man, it’s cool to meet someone who protects and serves.”
As the guys headed off, she didn’t miss the bevy of women who followed their
steps with ravenous gazes.

“Bartender,
can I get two Snake Bites.”

“You
sure you want more than one of those? That’s Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey, Jose
Quervo tequila and six drops of Tabasco sauce. You’re a tiny thang, you’ll be
on your ass—and call me Sara.”

 
Ailyn gifted the bartender with a hollow smile.
“Right now on my ass is exactly where I want to be.”

“Anything
for the customer, but please don’t vomit on my bar top.”

“I
can handle my liquor.” She stood and leaned her back against the counter. Eying
the enemy, she tossed back the first dose of venom. The delicious burn consumed
her, seared her, clouding her brain with a welcoming solace.

“A
pretty woman like you shouldn’t be alone. Let me buy you a drink.”

“No
thanks. I already have one.” Ailyn pursed her lips and dismissed the guy. He
took the hint and moved off to who she suspected was his next victim. Anger
whiplashed through her as Cordero got all chummy, slapping backs and being his
awesome jovial self with that man. Seth had the nerve to look her way and wink.
She lifted her drink to him in salutation with her middle finger and tossed it
back.

“Sara,
I’m gonna need a couple more of these.” She slapped the bar.
Damn, drowning
yourself
in alcohol rocks. Why hadn’t I got shitfaced sooner? Oh yea, Eva. Well, we’re
both having fun tonight. Wine has nothing on these fantastic shots.

“Hey
girl.
We thought we’d come over and save you from
boredom. “I’m Whitier and this is Lopez. We are medics on Mahone’s team. Call
me Alpha though and her, Sam.”

“Yippee.”
She snorted and consumed a third shot. Once the liquor burned a path down her
throat, she looked at the two females.
“Alpha?
That is
an interesting name.”

“You’re
telling me. Try owning it.” The petite woman laughed. “So what’s the story with
you and our boss?”

“No
story at all. He is less than nothing to me.”

“You
can’t be serious. See the way he locks his eyes on you when there’s a pause in
conversation over there.”

“All
right
ladies,
let’s do a couple of shots. I will tell
you everything about one Seth Mahone. Three Snake Bites, Sara, my new friends
and I are bonding. Actually, I am going to go to the bathroom first and then we
can do our shots.”

Ailyn
hooked her purse on her arm and followed the neon sign to the ladies room. The
line to the ladies room wrapped around the corner but there was no waiting to get
into the men’s room. She scanned the area for security before entering, passed
the urinals and entered the stall.

“I
never thought to use the men’s.” A couple of young females had followed suit,
giggling from the other stall.

The
men’s room was totally cleaner than some of the women’s she’d seen. After she
finished, she washed her hands. Two men entered and stopped to make sure they
were in the right room. “Silly me, I thought this was the women’s restroom.”
She edged past them back to the bar. Sam and Alpha were shaking their heads at
her.

“I
can’t believe you went in there.”

“The
bar should have two restrooms for females. I don’t do lines. I’m impatient.”

“So
where were we?” Ailyn turned toward the hollerin’ at the pool table.

“They
are now playing partners. Don’t mind me drinking in your brother. That is one
fine male right there.”

“Don’t
make me throw up this good alcohol. Cord’s always looked too damn good.”

“Maybe
you shouldn’t have another one. Don’t want you hurting in the morning,” Alpha
suggested.

“I
need to drink. I can’t be this close to him and not hurt. Here’s a toast. To
the past coming and biting me right on the ass. May I survive splintering agony
and heartbreak this time
around.
” She chinked hers to
their questioning expressions.

“Seth?
He’s as honest as they come,” Alpha and Sam replied in unison.

Ailyn
snorted and pointed her finger toward their supposed paragon of virtue. “
Your
sexy as sin boss has not always been a standup guy.”
Her tongue went numb. Maybe she’d had too much Tabasco sauce. She stuck it out and
tried to look at it and then tried to bite the tip for feeling. A smarting pain
brought her to near tears.

“Are
you okay?” Sam asked her. Ailyn tried her hardest to focus on the face of her
newest friend.

“My
brother is a traitor. Look at him.” She waved, swaying on her feet. Hands
appeared from every direction to help her, reminding her of a kaleidoscope
without the pretty colors.

“Can
we get some water, please?”

“Alpha,
I think that Sara was right. The room is beginning to swim and I promised not
to barf on her bar top.”

“Damn,
sis. Come on.” Cordero appeared out of nowhere.

 
“No, you’re a traitor. I don’t like you right
now. Not even a little.” She slapped at his helping hands.

“Stop
fighting me, unless you want to puke out here.” Her little brother picked her
up and carried her to the ladies room.

“My
stomach hurts. My head hurts. My heart hurts. Seth is Eva’s father. I hate him and
want him and it’s a confusing mess.” Her stomach revolted. She put her hand
over her mouth to quell back the urge to puke. “I can’t do this in front of
you. Please go.”

“We’ll
figure this out. I promise.” Cordero kissed the top of her head. “Now put your
pretty face over the toilet and puke.”

“Nothing
to figure, I just have to tell him. Don’t wanna puke with you here.
S’embarrassing.”

“We
got her, Cord.” Alpha and Sam entered. “
Ailyn,
just
let it out. Quit holding it back we have you.” The two firewomen flanked her
sides, helping her clear her stomach of the harsh alcohol.

First
came
the tears and hiccups, then a continuous episode
of vomiting. At one point, she felt a cool towel on the back of her nape. Time
moved in slow motion. “I’m sorry,” she apologized to them for having to babysit
her.

“No
worries. Friends look out for one another, right? We at the firehouse, we’re
family, we take care of our own, including the extended family.”

“Oh
my God, you heard.”

“We
did. Don’t worry though, we won’t tell. That’s something between you two.”

Her
empty stomach pitched and rolled. “I think I’m okay to go home now.” With their
aide, she stepped out of the stall to the sink and turned on the water. After
washing her hands and face, she rummaged in her purse for her compact
toothbrush and brushed her teeth.