Love, Tussles, and Takedowns (Cactus Creek #3)(7)

Caine heard it and spun around to shoot them both a look as Xoey continued to pull him over to the bar. “Don’t you two get any funny ideas about leaving. Max and Gabe are downstairs by the door and—” he took out his phone and snapped a photo of Hudson, “I’m texting them your picture.”

The second he was out of earshot, Hudson let out a whistle. “Wow, and I thought foreign dignitaries had a lot of security.”

“Sorry about that.”

“Don’t be. They’re protecting you.” Hudson’s expression turned thoughtful then. “So you were just filling in as a family favor today at the gun show. That explains it.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Explains what, exactly?” If he brought up her gender or even hinted that her connection to the Spencers was in any way related to her qualifications as an expert in the field of antique arms, she might just let Caine get a punch in…before she got in one of her own.

Hudson’s gaze quietly studied her. “It explains why you were there today, and now here tonight. You don’t look like the type of girl who needs to shoot tequila after work.”

She blinked in surprise. “No,” she agreed reflectively, “I’m not. Tonight’s…different.”

Nodding, Hudson traced a gentle finger under her necklace before lifting, but not touching, the two rings that hung as pendants at the center. “Because of this?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

His thumb caressed her cheek lightly in comfort and her eyes closed as she let herself accept the soothing touch. It was the most healing moment she’d felt in a while.

Which literally only lasted a moment before Caine came stalking back toward them, looking about two seconds from calling her other brothers upstairs as well to drag her the hell out of there.

A foolish feat it would definitely take all three of her brothers to accomplish.

Her sharp glare cautioned Caine not to be stupid enough to try. When he just plain ignored her and advanced till he was close enough for her to smack in annoyance, she returned her focus on Hudson. “Do you want to stay here or go somewhere else?”

Caine’s eyes almost jumped right out of its sockets.

With a tired sigh, she quickly motioned for Hudson not to leave and pulled Caine over to the side. “If I promise no more drinks tonight, will you please stop big-brothering me?”

A part grimace, part reluctant smile cloaked his face in sympathy before he promised, “Never.” Pained concern darkened his eyes. “Especially not today of all days. Not with him. The guy may as well have ‘government issued’ tattooed across his forehead.”

Swallowing the lump in her throat at the avalanche of memories that came with his silent look, she shook her head lovingly. “You worry too much. He and I are just going to talk. Nothing crazy.”

“You’re not wanting to hook up with him?” asked Caine suspiciously, arms crossed Mr. Clean style.

The corners of her mouth tilted up. “I didn’t say that.”

An overbearing grunt huffed out of him. Followed by a truly pained groan when her smile wouldn’t quit. “Christ, Lia. When did you learn the evil pin-up look?” He pinched his nose bridge in an obvious attempt to stem the type of headache that only family could inspire.

“The evil pin-up look?” she laughed. Sometimes her brother cracked her up.

“Yeah. The one those pin-up models all wear in photos. The one that drives men crazy wondering if the woman’s really thinking what they hope she’s thinking.” He glowered. “Evil.”

Lia smothered an oddly pleased grin. “I wield that look?”

“Damn effectively,” he complained, looking at her as if she’d sprouted neon orange tentacles. “I’m sure you have lover-boy over there turned on like a light switch right about now.”

They both looked over at Hudson, who shrugged in a ‘can you blame me?’ sort of way, with just the faintest grin of appreciation slid in there just for her.

Caine’s eyebrows crashed together in annoyance. “Don’t get any dumb ideas, wise guy,” he called out with a growl. “In my book, making moves on a girl who’s been drinking is grounds for an ass-kicking. Sister or not. Badge or no badge.”

Lia put her hand on Caine’s arm lightly. “You’re not going to kick his ass,” she stated matter-of-factly. “Because if you try, you’ll just end up getting your ass handed to you.”

That made Caine flinch in surprise and turn to size Hudson up once again. More carefully this time. Sure, she could read fighters better than most, but so could Caine. Generally. He just needed to take off his big brother goggles to see what anyone with twenty-twenty street sense could plainly see in Hudson.

An honest to God warrior.

With almost as many deep scars as she had.

“I’d still do it if it meant keeping you from getting hurt,” said Caine finally.

A small smile touched her lips. “I know you would.”

“He’s obviously military.”

“I know that too.”

Caine looked at her for a long second before pulling her into a bear hug. “I just don’t want you to go through it again,” he murmured, chin settling on the top of her head. “It just about broke all our hearts the last time.”

“Easy there, you’re getting way ahead of yourself, don’t you think?”