Straight From The Hip

brother. The one who shared Nick’s scars.

They had been tortured together and nearly died together. Nick had trusted Garth with more than his life and yet had rejected Garth’s current actions. That had to mean something. Even more confusing, what had happened to the man who had saved Nick from those frat bullies all those years ago? Where was the young man who had explained how to get the girl and fit in? Where was that Garth Duncan? When had he changed and why?

“You want me to take care of Nick while you still plan to go after me and my sisters?” she asked.

“I mostly want to take down Jed, but sure, you girls can come along for the ride.”

“That’s insane. You’re giving me advice and at the same time promising to ruin my family.”

“I have layers.”

“You have a desperate need for therapy.” She stared at him. “Nick’s your only friend, isn’t he? You don’t have anyone left.”

Garth shifted on his seat. “We’re talking about you and Nick.”

“We were and now we’re talking about you. What happens when you win? Who will you celebrate with?” Not Kathy. His mother wouldn’t understand. So who was left? Staff?

“I should go,” he said.

“No. Wait.”

What he’d done was unforgivable. She knew that, knew he had to be stopped. And yet there were hints of an actual person inside the dark, angry facade. Someone who was part of her family. Someone who might be worth saving.

“Don’t do this,” she said, reaching across the table and touching his hand. “Stop now, Garth. Come talk to Lexi and Skye. We can try to work something else out. We’re family, for better or worse.”

He pulled back and stood. “It’s too late, sis. Jed has to pay for what he did.”

“Agreed, but let us in. You don’t have to be alone in this.”

“Thanks for the offer, but I’m good.”

“You’re not. You’ve lost everyone.”

He gave her that smile again. “I like to travel light.”

He was lying, she thought. Lying to cover being hurt and alone. He was so close to winning and knew he would end up with an empty victory. Only it was too late to stop playing now.

Without thinking, she scrambled to her feet and hugged him. He stiffened with surprise and didn’t hug her back. She stared up into his dark eyes, knowing in her gut this was the right thing to do.

“I’m going to save you.”

He took a step back. “What the hell? I don’t need saving. I’m winning.”

“I know. That’s why you need saving. Don’t worry, it won’t hurt too much.”

“I don’t worry. I get things done.”

She smiled. “Tough talk, big brother. Your life has just changed forever. You’re not going to know what hit you. But it’s okay. I’m going to do it with love. Lexi and Skye will take some convincing and Dana wants to introduce you to her favorite gun, but she’ll come around, too. This is going to be great.”

For the first time since entering the restaurant, Garth looked wary. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You’re wrong and it won’t be the first time. It’s late September. We need this resolved by early December so we can have Christmas together. That’s a lot of healing to get done. I’m not a great planner, but my sisters are.” She smiled again. “Thanks for coming by. I’m glad we talked.”

Garth frowned, then left. When he reached the door, he glanced back at her, as if trying to figure out what was going on. She waved at him.

She wasn’t sure why she hadn’t seen it before. The solution was simple-Garth needed to be a part of the family. Then he wouldn’t want to hurt them anymore. Just as important, he had to be stopped before he did something that really got him in trouble.

She wasn’t sure exactly how they were going to make this all happen, but they would figure out something. Poor Garth-he wasn’t going to know what hit him.

“SAVE GARTH?” Dana scowled. “No. I’m throwing his ass in jail. Whenever I get tense, I picture that and get all tingly inside.”

“I’m serious,” Izzy told her. “I talked to him. He’s worth saving. We have to figure out how.”

“You figure out how. You’ll have plenty of time after your sisters have you committed.”

Izzy waved the comment aside. “Don’t be crabby. This is the right thing to do. Think of how smug we can all feel when we’re together.”

“And smug is a goal?”

Izzy grinned. “Sometimes.” Since meeting with Garth, she’d known this was the only way to win. She’d never been so sure of anything. “I’m going to talk to Lexi and Skye later.”

“I can’t wait to see that explosion.”

“They’re going to love my idea.”

“Uh-huh. Are you on drugs?”

“I’m right and eventually you’re going to have to admit it. That’s enough of a high for me.”

There was a knock on the door. She stood to answer it.

“Besides,” she continued as she reached for the doorknob and turned it, “what’s the worst that could happen?”

She turned to face the visitor and nearly fainted when she saw Nick.

It had been over two weeks since she’d left his ranch. Two weeks of feeling as if the best part of her had died. She ached for him, had trouble sleeping and had known she would bear the scars of his betrayal forever.

Still, she couldn’t help wanting to touch him now, to reassure herself that he was real. She saw the dark circles under his eyes, the drawn hollows in his cheeks. She wanted to hold him and ask if he was okay. She wanted to kiss him and have him kiss her back. She wanted to hear the sound of his voice.

“Should I get my gun?” Dana asked.

“You women are quick with the weapons,” Nick said, staring at Izzy. “Shoot me if you want, I’m not going anywhere.”

Izzy stepped back to let him in the condo. “Have it handy. I may need it later.”

“Sure.” Dana backed out of the room. “I’ll be close by. Yell if you need anything.”

Seconds later, Izzy heard the bedroom door close.

Nick continued to study her. “You look good.”

“You look like shit.”

“That’s how I feel.”

“Good. What do you want?”

He gave her a faint smile. “To tell you how much I love you, Izzy. I probably have from the first moment we met.”

“You kidnapped me.”

“I’m a helluva guy.”

She turned away and walked to the window. She desperately wanted to know his words were true, but how could she trust him? She folded her arms across her chest and told herself to keep breathing. That the pain in her stomach would eventually go away. That hope was for someone else, not her.

He came up behind her, but didn’t touch her, which was good. If he did, she would probably shatter.

“You changed everything,” he said. “I can’t stop thinking about you. Please, give me a chance to prove myself to you.”

“You have Stockholm Syndrome,” she said, closing her eyes tight. “That’s all this is.”

“That’s when the prisoner falls for the person holding him hostage.”

“Okay. You have something else then. What you’re feeling isn’t real and even if it is, I don’t care. You lied to me.”

“I know. I kept my relationship with Garth a secret. I was stupid and wrong and, worse, I hurt you. I’m sorry, Izzy. God knows you deserve better than I gave you and you deserve better than me. I live with guilt every day. I can never make the past right. You should be with someone who isn’t so damn scarred.”

She spun to face him. “I never minded the scars.”