Deserving You (A McCord Family Novel Book 3) Read online

  Sophie nodded, obviously upset that Axel ran away.

  “We’ll go look for him. We’ll find him, Soph. Don’t worry.” Emmett smiled.

  Deja knew he was reassuring Sophie as best as he could. That smile of his managed to reassure her a little. Or maybe she just loved when he smiled. She had been surprised to see him when they walked into the kitchen. Her surprise turned into happiness, then immediately into anxiety. No matter how much she wanted and liked Emmett, she was all wrong for him.

  “What Emmett said. We’ll all search for him.” Austin looked at Emmett. “You, Sophie, and I will search the backyard.” Austin turned toward her. “Can you and Dare search the front?”

  “Of course.” Deja glanced at her brother, who merely nodded.

  Austin, Emmett, and Sophie walked out of the room toward the kitchen. Dare met Deja by the front door and stepped outside. They hollered for Axel a few times, then started to walk down the sidewalk.

  “So, who’s this Kevin guy?”

  Deja kept her eyes peeled for any white blur of fluffiness, although, grabbing a flashlight would’ve been helpful. The night made it difficult to see, especially in the dark corners of houses, trees, and behind cars.

  Dare nudged her. “Ignoring me? I’m not good enough to know what’s going on.”

  Deja halted, shocked. He actually thought that. There was no teasing tone in his voice. “Of course you’re good enough. I’m just worried about Sophie. She’s had it rough. Axel means everything to her.”

  Dare’s eyes glowed a brilliant blue in the night air. They sparkled with a tortured pain, something she saw all the time when she looked in the mirror. They truly did have the same eyes.

  “Kevin is her ex-boyfriend. He was abusive. Sophie fled from New York and got as far away from him as she could. She met Austin and they fell in love.”

  Deja started to walk again, hoping against hope that Axel didn’t run away. Or worse. That Kevin hid in the shadows and nabbed Axel as soon as he could. Seemed something devious that asshole would do.

  “That’s clearly not the end of the story.”

  Deja tossed her hair behind her ear as a light breeze tried to blow it in her face. “It’s my fault she got hurt.”

  Dare grabbed her arm and forced her to look at him. “I doubt that.”

  “You’ve been away ten years. What do you know?”

  The pressure on her arm went from light to intense, but not enough to hurt her. All she felt was his pain. “I know my sister. Inside and out. Ten years doesn’t change that. Whatever happened, it wasn’t your fault. So tell me what did happen?”

  “Do you honestly care?”

  Dare dropped her arm and whipped around. “Damn it, Deja. I care. Why do you think I want to leave? Because I care. You’re better off without me in your life.”

  She touched his shoulder, his entire body taut with tension. “I’m better with you in my life.”

  He refused to speak or to release the tension that had him coiled tighter than a boa constrictor on a mission.

  “I needed a new job. Emmett offered me one and I turned him down. I should’ve taken it. Nothing would’ve happened if I had taken the job. Instead, that day, I left to fill out an application.” Her hand dropped, her insides turning to mush as the horror of that day crushed her to pieces. “Kevin showed up and beat her so badly…if I had only…it’s my—”

  Dare turned around and shoved her into his embrace, hugging her fiercely. A big bear hug. Just like old times. “Shut up, Deja. Don’t say shit like that again. A man beating a woman is not your fault. He probably watched and waited for the perfect opportunity. I don’t need to know the man to know that for a fact.”

  She buried her face into his chest, breathing in the safety, the feeling of home. She had missed her brother so much.

  “I can’t believe anyone would harm such a beautiful woman. She seems so nice.”

  “Sophie’s the best. The sweetest woman in the world.”

  “Is he sitting in jail waiting for trial?”

  Deja shook her head no. Dare let her go, rubbing his hands up and down her arms to halt the chill that passed through her body. How had he known she needed that? Simple. Her brother knew her that well.

  “He has a lot of money. He barely sat in jail before they released him on bail. The one stipulation the judge gave him was he had to stay in Minnesota until the trial. Sophie’s been on edge since then. She hides it well, though. He could honestly get off with just a slap on the wrist, no jail time whatsoever. As long as he runs back to New York, I say, good riddance.”

  Dare’s mouth slowly tipped up into an evil grin. “Well, if he sees the inside of a jail cell, I’ll be sure to let my friends know to give him a warm welcoming.”

  “Dare…” She bit her lip, knowing exactly what he meant. “Just how would you let your friends know? I don’t want you going back there for any reason.”

  He threw his arm around her shoulder and started to walk back toward the house. “I have my ways, D. Don’t you worry about a thing. I don’t know Sophie well, but what I do know, no man gets away with harming a woman like that. And she’s your best friend. Enough said.”

  Deja couldn’t help but smile. “She is my best friend.”

  “There you go then.”

  As soon as they walked back into the house, Dare’s smile fled. It instantly made her sad. For a moment there, they almost acted like old times, like brother and sister. Now his wall was firmly back in place. Would she ever get her brother back?

  They found Emmett, Austin, and Sophie in the kitchen. Deja took a seat next to Sophie at the small table. “Any sign of him?”

  Sophie timidly shook her head no, wiping a tear away. “He wouldn’t run away.”

  “We’ll find him. I swear we will.” Austin said it with such conviction that Deja didn’t doubt him for a second. The small grin on Sophie’s face said as much as well.

  The front door opened and slammed just as quickly. Zane’s voice with the little pitter-patter of feet echoed to the kitchen. Axel came running through the kitchen, jumping into Sophie’s lap before she could even stand up.

  “Oh, Axel, baby, I was so worried. Please tell me you didn’t go to the farm. You can’t do that, boy.” Sophie hugged him tightly.

  “I have a feeling that’s exactly where he was headed. Nearly hit the little guy halfway here. He has a crazy six sense,” Zane said as he walked into the kitchen, holding a baby car seat.

  “Everything okay?” Austin’s frown became worse as he eyed his brother.

  “I wish. I need you on the farm, there’s a fire.” Zane set the car seat to the floor, rubbing his hand over his face.

  Silence descended in the house. Emmett was the first to find his voice. “Anyone hurt? Where’s Ava? Eleanor?”

  “Eleanor left for the weekend to visit her family up north. Ava’s being Ava, already jumping into the fray to do her job no matter how many times I yelled at her.” Zane seemed to age right in front of them. The worry lines increased as his frown became deeper. “Some idiot was driving drunk with his girlfriend in the passenger seat. He had a bottle of moonshine and she grabbed it from him and started to pour it out of the window. He ran through our fence onto our field and crashed near the corral. Don’t know how it happened, but a fire started, lighting up the path she created with the moonshine. It’s damn close to the white barn. We can’t lose all of our stock, Austin. We won’t be able to afford…I couldn’t find my damn phone…Jimmy…”

  Emmett stood closest to Zane. He clapped him on the shoulder. “Is the fire out yet? We’re here to help. Jimmy’s fine.”

  “Ava called the chief of police wanting the fire chief there ASAP.” Zane laughed. It came out with a strangle. “Why does my wife have to be in the middle of everything?”

  Austin chuckled as he lightly squeezed Sophie’s shoulders. “Because she wouldn’t be the Ava we love. You didn’t answer Emmett. How bad is the fire?”

  “It wasn’t too bad when I
left. I guess we should be thankful the ground’s still wet from winter somewhat. It shouldn’t hit the barn. Regardless, they wouldn’t let me in there to get the pigs out just in case. Ethan had to restrain me a bit. Anyone else and I probably would’ve decked them.” Zane bent down and unbuckled the tiny baby sitting so peacefully in the car seat. “I need you at the farm, Austin. You, too, Emmett. That fence needs to be fixed right away as soon as it’s safe. We can’t have all the cows getting loose.”

  Zane stood up, cradling the baby perfectly in his arms. “Will you watch little Jimmy, Sophie? I forgot the damn diaper bag, but he’s not due to eat for another hour at least.”

  Sophie nodded and gently set Axel on the ground. She stood up and took Jimmy from Zane. “You know we have diapers, formula, and whatever else he needs here. I’d love to watch him. Thank you for bringing Axel back. I had a mini meltdown there.”

  Sophie had gotten used to everyone in the McCord family. Comfortable with all the men. When Zane pulled her closer for a small hug, not one hesitation or shiver occurred. Deja sat close enough to them that she heard him whisper, “Sorry for swearing.”

  “Let’s go.” Austin kissed Sophie quickly on the lips and walked out of the kitchen. Sophie followed. Deja figured she wanted one more kiss, a little more thorough than the chaste one displayed in front of them.

  Zane started to follow when he noticed Dare on the opposite side of the kitchen near the back door. “You must be Dare, Deja’s brother. We could use all the help we can. Let’s go.”

  Deja had to stifle a laugh that wanted to burst out at Dare’s shocked expression. Not much took him by surprise. Zane wasn’t one to hold back on his words or actions. If he thought something, he said it. If he wanted something done, he did it. He rarely asked. He just expected people to listen.

  “Not sure I’d be useful. I don’t know anything about fixing a fence. You don’t want me there.” Dare almost looked like he was ready to bolt out the kitchen door.

  Zane’s stance became rigid. “I would’ve never said it if I didn’t mean it.” He glanced at Deja, then back to Dare. “Deja’s practically part of the family. You’re her brother, which, in turn, makes you part of the family. Family always helps out. So let’s go. We could use your help.”

  Deja wasn’t sure who was more shocked, her, Dare, or Emmett, who stood silently in the kitchen. Tears suddenly wanted to fall down in crashing waves at the words Zane just spoke, but she held them back. She’d fall apart later, alone, in her room. She’d sort out the heavy emotions he just unleashed. Part of the family? She had no idea he thought that.

  Zane nodded, as if his words wouldn’t be disobeyed, and walked out of the kitchen. Emmett turned to Dare. “You can ride with me.” Then he disappeared as well.

  “They’re quite a family, the McCords.” Dare said it quietly. Whether out of awe or fear they would hear him, she wasn’t sure.

  “Best house I ever broke into.” Deja couldn’t help but grin. Because it was seriously the best house she could’ve ever picked. She now had food, a roof over her head, a best friend, and a family that accepted her as one of their own.

  Dare gave a small snort, almost like he chuckled, and pointed a finger at her as he started to walk past her. “You ever try breaking into another house and we’re gonna have issues.”

  “I have no need to anymore.” She swatted his finger away playfully. “Acting like a big brother. Careful, I might get used to it.”

  He ruffled the top of her head like he did in the old days and smiled. “Shit, me, too.” His smile dipped. “It’d be better if I left.”

  “No, Dare, it’d be better if you started to let me in.” She tossed her head toward the living room. “You should go. Zane’s not the most patient man.”

  “Damn McCords. Strangest, nicest bunch of people I’ve ever met.”

  “Damn right. They’re the best.” Deja watched him walk out. She meant every word she said. She was far from the best. Far from perfect. Which is exactly why Emmett would always be unattainable.

  Chapter 7

  The drive to the farm was silent—and awkward. Emmett had no idea what to say to Dare. The tension ran thick in the truck. Emmett didn’t want to hate the man, because he was Deja’s brother, but he didn’t appreciate the way he spoke to her at the precinct.

  He appeared decent enough at Austin’s house. When they weren’t around was he still treating his sister like shit? That’s what he wanted to know. He wasn’t going to ask, though. A fistfight, in closed corners, while driving, didn’t seem like the greatest idea.

  And Zane. Out of everyone in the family, he never expected Zane to see Deja as part of the family, let alone say it about Dare. He’d probably change his opinion soon. Just a little taste of how Dare really was would have him regretting his words.

  That wasn’t fair. Emmett barely knew the guy to dislike him so much. He did spend the last ten years in prison. It’d take time to assimilate himself back into society. He had to give him a chance. For Deja. Especially for her.

  “What are your intentions toward my sister?”

  The wheel jerked as he stiffened. He looked at Dare. “Excuse me?”

  Dare cleared his throat, his hands fisted, resting on his lap. “I said, what are your intentions toward my sister?”

  Emmett forced himself to keep his eyes on the road. It wouldn’t do well for Dare to see the lie. “I don’t know what you mean. She’s my employee, a good friend of the family.”

  “Bullshit.”

  Clearly, Dare didn’t need to see his eyes to know a lie when he heard one. Emmett wasn’t having a conversation about his feelings for Deja. Especially with her brother.

  “You suddenly care about your sister? Didn’t look that way at the precinct.”

  “Wow. You got balls, I’ll give you that.” Dare laughed, or more like grunted. “Deja’s the only bright spot in my life. I’d do anything for her, including what I think is the best thing for her.”

  “By treating her like shit and shoving her away? Yeah, that’s totally the best thing for her.”

  “What the hell do you know? You don’t know anything.”

  Emmett gripped the steering wheel tighter, then whipped the truck to the side of the road, tires squealing as the truck jerked to a stop. He faced Dare. “I know your sister hurts. I see it every single day. I know she’s the toughest woman I know, besides Sophie. Sophie has so much grit, only she doesn’t realize it, but Deja, she’s got just a little more grit. I know…”

  Emmett relaxed his hands and drew a deep breath. “I don’t know much about her life because she keeps it locked tightly inside. I know the important things like what makes her smile, what makes her laugh with delight, what makes her tick, what makes her want to grab her tire iron. I know she wants you in her life. It’s easy to see. So I’d say I know a lot. I know what’s important. I wish I could say the same about you.”

  “That just confirms what I thought. You like her, yet, you won’t tell me your intentions toward her. You can get in the face of a murderer, but you can’t tell one tiny little woman how you feel. Coward.” The smirk on his face grew as the words sunk in.

  Emmett was no coward. “Takes one to know one.” Geez, he was reverting to grade school talk like they were having a beef on the playground. He couldn’t help himself.

  “I’m no coward.” Dare’s hands fisted again.

  “Sure you are. You keep pushing Deja away instead of embracing her. You keep calling yourself a murderer when I don’t think you are.”

  “I killed my parents. What would you call that?”

  Emmett leaned back, gauging him. His hands were still fisted, ready to pounce, but Emmett didn’t think he’d throw a punch. His body language suggested it, but he wouldn’t do it. “Did you shoot them? Stab them? Burn them alive? How did you kill them? Tell me, because I’d love to know.”

  Dare looked away, his hands squeezing tighter. Emmett felt sorry for him. No—not sorry—empathetic. He could see the interna
l struggle, the anguish that rolled off him in waves. The silence engulfed the truck. Emmett pushed too far. So had Dare. He felt like a jackass for pushing his emotions like that. What did he know? Who was he to judge?

  He started to lift his foot off the brake when Dare spoke softly. “My mom thought my dad was having a heart attack. They forgot to pay the phone bill, like usual. Or, more like, they used the money on booze instead.”

  Emmett’s foot pressed the brake harder, waiting patiently for Dare to continue. He wanted to ask questions. A ton of them flooded his mind, but he said nothing. He just waited in silence.

  “It was my job to take care of Deja. My parents didn’t give two shits about us. They loved each other so much it’s like they forgot how to give us some of that love. I was reckless, hurting, selfish. I knew how much it affected Deja as well, but I guess I just didn’t care enough. She shouldn’t care about me. I don’t deserve it.”

  “I’d say she would disagree with that.”

  Dare turned toward him. “I liked to pop pills, smoke weed. I always told myself it was okay because I wasn’t doing hard shit like meth or coke or heroin. If I cared about her, I wouldn’t have touched shit. What do you have to say about that?”

  Emmett shrugged, honestly unsure what to say. He just wanted to hear the rest of the story, what happened to his parents. Did he kill them in a fit of rage? Drugs made people do the craziest things sometimes.

  “I told my parents I’d drive them to the hospital. The phone wasn’t working so we couldn’t call for an ambulance, and we lived in a shitty ass neighborhood. I didn’t trust any of our neighbors to help. I was high as a kite. I felt mellow, calm enough to deal with them, because I tried my hardest to stay clear of them as much as possible.”

  Shit. Emmett didn’t like where this was headed. “You crashed the car, didn’t you?”

  Dare nodded. “It started raining, just buckets of water pouring down. My mom was in the backseat and refused to buckle up even after I told her several times she should. My dad finally said something and she sat back. I assumed she immediately buckled up—she didn’t. A dog came out of nowhere and I swerved, slamming on the brakes. The rain…just everything…we hit a tree. My mom was thrown from the car and died instantly, so they say. My dad was having a heart attack and died before help arrived. I walked away with a gash to my head. That’s it.”