“What? Is anything wrong?”
“No. Maybe…I’ve seen how my sister looks at you,” he said bluntly. “And don’t think I didn’t notice your interest when I told stories about Reesie in the past.”
Spike blinked in surprise. “I’m not sure what you want me to say here,” he admitted.
“I want you to tell me you’re going to treat her right. Be the man she deserves. She’s a damn good woman, Spike. Smart, hardworking, loyal. Hell, the second I didn’t contact her when I said I would, she risked everything to come to fucking Colombia to find me. She could’ve called Bubba or any of my other friends, but she probably didn’t even think about doing that. She did what she felt was right. You couldn’t possibly do any better than her.”
“I’ve only been around her for twenty-four hours or so,” he reminded him.
“Yeah, and you about lost your mind when we were being shot at and you thought she was going to get hurt. You practically shoved me out of the way to get to the cab of that truck so you could be with her. You stayed right by her side at the airport, made sure you got the seat next to her on the plane.
“Don’t bullshit me, Spike—you like her. And I’m telling you I’m completely all right with that. If you were to become my brother for real, I’d be fucking thrilled. I’m also telling you that you’re not good enough for her. But I’d say that about literally anyone she ended up with. So all I’m really saying is…don’t hurt her. If you do, I’m gonna be pissed.”
“I’m not going to hurt her,” Spike said between clenched teeth.
Woody’s voice gentled. “She hasn’t had a lot of luck with dating. And I can’t believe I’m standing here talking about my sister’s love life, but I adore her enough to make sure you know that men have treated her like shit because she doesn’t fit into society’s mold of what a woman should look like. And it infuriates me.”
“There’s nothing fucking wrong with the way she looks,” Spike growled.
Woody stared at him for a long moment. Then he smiled. “I’m gonna be the best uncle ever.”
“What?” Spike blurted in confusion. One second his friend was acting all tough and protective over his sister, and the next he was…What? Spike wasn’t sure.
“She’ll be good for you,” Woody said. “She’ll keep you on your toes. And it helps that Los Alamos has that lab here. She’ll need something to keep her mind stimulated. And before you tell me that it’s a tough job market and there’s no guarantee she’ll get hired here…you’re wrong. They’d jump at the chance to bring her on board. She’s that good at what she does.”
Spike’s mind was spinning. “So you’re…what? Already marrying us off? And with that uncle comment, expecting us to have kids? I thought you’d wanna smash my face, thinking about me having sex with your sister.”
Woody shrugged with a grin. “I like confounding people. Reese isn’t a kid, man. If she was sixteen, I’d be holding a shotgun to your balls, warning you not to touch her. But she’s not. And she’ll be an awesome mom. And wife. And I know you, Spike. You’re one of my best friends, even if we’ve barely spoken in the last five years. She can’t do better than you.”
“Again, I’ve only been around her for a day, Woody. I don’t think you should be imagining nephews and nieces just yet.”
Woody got serious. “As I said when I started this conversation, I’ve seen the way she looks at you, and how you look at her. I spent way too much time fucking around when it came to Isabella, and I could’ve lost her. So I’m telling you—don’t wait. Don’t second-guess things. When you know, you know.
“And look, all I’m doing is giving you permission. If things don’t work out, they don’t work out…but don’t hold back because she’s my sister, or because you think relationships are supposed to work a certain way. She’ll treat you like gold. You’ll never have a woman love you so fiercely.”
Longing hit Spike hard. He’d dated a fair number of women, but he’d never felt an instant connection like he did with Reese. “Noted,” he told Woody with a small nod.
“Good. Now, my arm hurts like a son of a bitch, I’m starving, and I’m exhausted beyond belief. Hell, I don’t even know what time it is, since I lost my damn watch. I’m gonna go sit and eat breakfast with Isabella and my sister.”
Spike blinked, then smiled as he reached into his pocket. He’d forgotten all about the watch Reese had found in Isabella’s apartment. With everything that had happened since then, it completely slipped his mind. He pulled out the watch and held it out to his friend. “You mean this watch?”
Spike grinned at the incredulous look that crossed Woody’s face. “What the hell? Where’d you find that?”
“At Isabella’s place.”
“I didn’t think I’d ever see it again. It was a gift from my dad. Thanks, man.”
“Don’t thank me. Reese found it. And you putting it back on to cover that creepy white patch on your wrist is thanks enough,” Spike joked.
“Whatever.” Woody got serious then, speaking low again. “I heard what you said about the drugs in Angelo’s room, Spike. I’m not ignoring it. And I know what Isabella said, about her brother being forced…but I’m not thrilled that his actions got us all kidnapped. We had a lucky escape—and I’m going to make sure all his ties to those assholes are well and truly cut. After we get some rest, I’ll talk to the kid and see if I can break through that hard outer shell of his, ask what the hell he was thinking getting involved with the cartel in the first place, despite their threats.”
Woody yawned deeply, clearly exhausted. “I’m also gonna take your friend up on his generous offer to let us stay in his cabin. But take note,” he added, waving a finger as he stood. “We aren’t going to sit around on our asses. Put us to work. I’m serious. If we’re going to stay here until things calm down and we’re sure no cartel members are gonna show up at my place in Kansas City, then I need to contribute. Isabella will feel the same way.”
“There’s always stuff to do around here,” Spike assured him.
Woody gave him a look. “Thank you,” he said softly. “Seriously. If anything had happened to Isabella or Reesie…I’m not sure I ever would’ve forgiven myself.”
Spike stood and took a step forward, briefly hugging his friend. He’d learned since his time in the Army that showing emotion wasn’t such a bad thing.
Woody hugged him back with his good arm, then turned and headed for the table across the room. As soon as he sat, Reese stood and came over to Spike. Her brow was furrowed and she looked extremely concerned about something.
“What’s wrong?” he asked immediately.
“That was my question for you. Is Woody all right? What’s going on?”
“He’s fine, and nothing’s going on. He’s just grateful for a place to stay for a while until things calm down.”
“Oh…are you sure?”