Riley had been Lou’s twin brother, and a voice of reason for her. He’d helped her to see that Jacob wasn’t a bad guy. Toward the later months, he’d been part of them, and their family. He was a good guy. Sadly, he’d taken a bullet, and died in Lou’s arms. Even to this day, over a year since she’d lost him, the emptiness was still there.
Lou let out a cough, and smiled. “Don’t be an asshole, Abel. That’s the only advice I can give you.”
“I came on too strong. I couldn’t help it. I just had to have her in my arms, and hold her.”
“Told you it was bad, and consuming,” Jacob said.
“I didn’t think it was like this. I had a background check done on her.” He’d known she’d been underage for the casino last night, but was more than willing to keep that detail to himself. Maddox didn’t like it when something interfered with their lives. If an underage woman died of a drug overdose in their casino, it would create a very sticky situation. It was why the Dentons were known for running a tight ship, and taking out anyone who would dare threaten that. Innocent lives being lost was not something they wanted any hand in. All of her information was on his cell phone, every detail. He knew she was working today, and that she had a deadline on picking a major at college.
Fuck, he had a hard-on for a college chick. This was a classic porno film.
Lou shook her head. “When are you men going to learn that doing background checks and blackmailing and stuff, really doesn’t work, and makes us all hate you more?”
“It’s a ploy, sister-in-law,” Abel said.
“A ploy?”
“Yeah, you see, we make you think we’re pretty bad, being an asshole and stuff. It’s so when we turn that romance button on, you all swoon at our feet.”
Jacob laughed. “You’re so full of shit.”
Lou was chuckling. “I hope this woman, whoever she is, makes you beg for it.”
“Well, I can’t stay for dinner as I’ve got to go and convince my future wife to marry me.” He ran his fingers through his hair again, and whistled. “I look good.”
Abel didn’t stick around to hear anymore, and made his way outside, climbing back into his car to get ready to woo the woman who now owned him. It couldn’t be all that difficult. His brother had done it. His parents, uncles, grandparents had all done it. He didn’t see what all the fuss was about. Wooing a woman was easy. A little bit of attention, and Harper would belong to him.
****
“Oh, my God. Are you, like, a stalker now?” Harper asked.
The day at the law office had been difficult. Not only was her boss dealing with a huge murder case, but also, her very future needed to be decided. Entering the staff room to get her bag and jacket, she hadn’t expected to see the guy from last night. He was there, and in his hand was a single red rose.
“Hello, Harper Mavis.”
“Does everything I say just go over your head?” She folded her arms, staring at him. Beside him was her bag, and her jacket actually sat folded on his lap. “I really need to call the cops.”
“You don’t. You’re perfectly safe with me.”
She stared at him, refusing to move.
“Did you like my flowers?”
Harper wanted to be mean, but it wasn’t in her nature. Damn! “They were beautiful, and creepy.” Why couldn’t this guy just be … normal?
He smiled, leaning forward. “Will you go on a date with me?”
“You did get the creepy part.”
“I did.”
She frowned at him. “You know I enjoyed dancing with your brother last night. Damian, he seems nice.”
This time, Abel frowned.
“Then I woke up this morning, and he was screwing one of my best friends.” She licked her lips. “I love Lara and Betty. They’re like sisters to me.”
“They’re the girls that were with you last night.”