Page 27 of Redemption in the Dark (The Righteous 5)
Jimmy looked at him like he was stupid.
“Duh. But, I also like your sister, but whatever you do, don’t tell her. I’m going to convince her to date me. First, I need her to think I don’t like her. This is the key. She has to think it’s her idea. It’s all planned out.” Jimmy tapped the side of his head.
Wolf laughed hard, earning the glare of his friend. “Sorry, but I don’t see that happening.”
“Oh, it’s happening. I’ve liked her for two years, man. You’ll see. I’ll win her over.”
“How am I your best friend, and I don’t know that you’ve got the hots for my sister? Which is complete yuck, by the way. What the hell?” He made a face, and Jimmy punched his arm.
“What, you don’t want me for a real brother?”
That question made him think, and he stopped walking, forcing Jimmy to do the same.
“I think you’re getting way ahead of yourself. She hasn’t even agreed to a date, and you’re talking marriage.”
“How can someone so in touch with people not see how much she and I are meant to be?”
“Maybe the fact that she’s never said anything nice about you.” Jimmy’s face fell, and he grabbed his friend’s arm. “Look, even if you and my sister, which I don’t want to think about, get married, you’ll always be my Tsosdadahnvtli,” he said and placed his hand on Jimmy’s shoulder.
“What does that mean?”
“It means brother. You may not be blood, but you’re my brother,” Wolf said.
“Awesome, you know you’re gonna have to say that like fifty times before I can say it, right?” They laughed as they continued walking. “In a couple of years, we’re going to join the Army, and before we go, I’m going to propose to your sister. Does she like the color pink?” Jimmy was back to rambling but this time it was all about Awinita, and he suddenly wished it was still about the video games.
He could seehis sister’s face in the dying embers of the bonfire. She seemed happy, a huge smile on her face and her dark eyes shining. It was a look he’d rarely seen on her. That was the first night he’d caught her cutting. He didn’t know what she was doing, but he’d stopped her, and they’d argued until he threatened to tell their parents.
She was so angry. He’d never forget the look on her face when he wrestled the blade out of her hand. She promised not to do it anymore, but it was a promise she didn’t keep. A deep ache settled in his chest at the memory. The image of her face wavered in the glowing embers and then disappeared, but he could still feel her around him. A gentle breeze rustled his hair, and he looked up to the dark night sky and the glittering stars that were mostly obscured by the tall trees.
“Wolf?” Startled, he looked down into Maeve’s eyes.
“Go back to sleep. We have a long ride tomorrow to get to my place.”
She nodded but didn’t close her eyes. His heart pounded harder with every passing second that he stared into her eyes. Their spirits seemed to be twining themselves together with the simple act of staring at one another.
“Thank you,” she said and then closed her eyes and placed her head against his heart.
“Sleep well, Walela,” he whispered.
“What does that mean,” she asked, her voice soft and wispy on the edge of sleep.
“Hummingbird.”
“I like it. It’s pretty.”
He so badly wanted to say, ‘just like you,’ but held his tongue. Scooting a little lower, he held Maeve more tenderly than any lover he’d ever had. He knew he was treading into a minefield, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself and closed his eyes.
Maeve’s mind slowly pulled out of a sleepy fog, and surprisingly she felt relaxed. She was also remarkably warm, and for the briefest of moments, she forgot where she was. Wolf’s heart was beating at a steady rhythm like a drum beneath her ear, and the smell of his earthy scent comforted her.
Everything about him should terrify her.
Like his ability to see more of her than she ever let anyone see, his reason for chasing her down, or the fact that he could turn on her and arrest her at any moment. Yet, he didn’t act as she predicted, which truly terrified her. He was a wild card, a joker hidden within a flush. With a single look and a gentle touch he was turning her world on its axis.
Daring to look up, she could appreciate his sex appeal while he wasn’t looking at her like he could reach in and snatch her soul from her body. He had the most unnerving and yet sexy stare that she’d ever seen. She had no idea what the hell he’d done to her last night, but her heart felt lighter like a pressure valve had been released.
Maeve sighed. She hated to wake him, but they hadn’t eaten dinner, and her stomach was rumbling.
“Wolf?”
