“I said I would return her, Crow.”
“And you better do it, Cane. We can’t fight a war on two fronts.”
“Are you even listening to me?” I snapped. “I said I would take her back like a dozen times.”
“I heard what you said, but it contradicts everything you’re doing. Pearl is right on the money, Cane. You know it.”
“I’m not in love with the woman.”
“Sure seems that way.”
I turned my back on him, sick of the conversation. “I’ll talk to you later, Crow.”
“How about I return her?”
After I opened the car door, I turned around to look at him. “What?”
“If I drop her off, we both know the job will get done. And you don’t need to feel like the bad guy.”
The option was almost tempting. I wouldn’t have to get my hands dirty or see the way Tristian punched her the second she was back in his captivity. But that would do a disservice to Adelina. I could comfort her during the travel. I could embrace her before she had to walk back into the devil’s arms. She felt comfortable with me—trusted me. It was the least I could do. “It has to be me. It’ll be a lot harder for her to go back if I’m not there. Plus, I’m not a coward.”
Crow finally abandoned the argument and walked back into the house. He didn’t say goodbye, dismissing the conversation with his silence. When the door was shut, the bolt clicked into the lock.
I got into my car and drove home.
* * *
Adelina had already eaten dinner and cleaned up the kitchen. Now she was in the living room on the couch, watching one of the English channels I got off my satellite. It was a rerun of a comedy that was popular in America. She was reading at the same time, the sound of the show just background noise. She looked up when she heard my shoes against the hardwood floor. “How was work?”
After the conversation I’d had with my brother, it really did seem like we were a couple. I didn’t want his words to get to my head, but they already had. “Good. How was your day?”
“Good. I had dinner a few hours ago. But I wrapped up a plate for you and put it in the fridge.”
“Thanks.” I was used to coming home to an empty house without anyone to care about my meals. Having a beautiful woman take the time to consider me felt nice. The last time I had that experience, it was with my mom and Vanessa. When Mom passed away, Vanessa quickly became the matriarch of the family. She made sure Crow and I ate well and took care of ourselves.
We never paid her back for her kindness.
I set my bag on the counter then loosened my gun from the holster. I set it on the table like it was a watch.
Adelina eyed it before she quickly looked away.
“Does it make you uncomfortable?” I opened one of the drawers and placed the gun inside so she wouldn’t have to look at it.
“No…” She turned back to her book. She was in one of my long t-shirts and her panties, lying around the house because she knew I was the only company she would ever have. Her hair was done and so was her makeup, stuff she’d picked up when we went shopping.
“Have you ever handled a gun?”
When she didn’t look up from her magazine, I knew she didn’t want to discuss it. “No.”
I dropped the subject and moved to the couch beside her. She had a glass of wine on the table, so I took a quick drink before I set it down again. I moved into her next, placing a soft kiss on her lips.
She was unresponsive at first, but after the initial contact, she kissed me back. Her soft, plump lips moved with mine, and within no time, her embraces were passionate. She gave me her tongue before I had a chance to give her mine.
It was something I loved coming home to.
My hand moved into the back of her hair, feeling the soft strands that were so nice to touch. I loved pulling on the curtain, but for now, I enjoyed caressing it. I pulled away first then rubbed my nose against hers. The affection was lame, but it came naturally with her.
She looked at me with affection in her gaze, all thoughts of that gun gone. “Why are you home so late?”
“Had a long day. Then I had to stop by Crow’s and talk to him.”
“Hope everything is alright.”
“It’s always alright.” I grabbed her glass again and took another drink. “What did my little chef make me?”
“Nothing fancy. Chicken and vegetables.”
“Sounds fancy to me.” I kissed her on the cheek before I left the couch.
Her eyes followed me as I walked into the kitchen. Even when the door was shut, I could feel her penetrating gaze. I reheated the food in the microwave before I stood at the counter and took a few bites. Home-cooked meals tasted so much better when that beautiful woman made them for me.