the reasons I joined the Marine Corps with my twin, and her big brother. She had asked me to protect him, and of course I said yes. Always had, and probably always would, even without her asking. I swear, I could practically smell her fruity perfume from across the room too.
“Kennedy’s here.” Remy nodded toward the doors that led to the parking lot. “Try not to piss her off anymore? I only get two weeks with her, and I don’t want her to shut me out.” That haunted expression was back, and every fiber of my being burned to know what it was that he was hiding.
My bag came around the carousel, so I grabbed it along with Remy’s next to it. Danny, I left to fend for himself while he was trying to chat up one of the women from the flight. Only to watch him curse and rush to get it before it vanished behind the wall.
Belatedly, I answered Remy, and hoped he didn’t notice the little white lie. “I’ll do my best.” I didn’t have a choice though, I had to piss her off. If I didn’t, I’d end up doing something stupid. Like kiss her and then I’d have to make her mine.
As it was, I knew it was only a matter of time before I acted on my feelings for her. I just needed to figure out a way to keep my best friend, in the process.
Then I saw her, watching her brother from across the room, wishing that she was staring at me that way. Remy shot me one sidelong glance, easily reading every single emotion I was trying to keep hidden. His expression was very clear and I knew our friendship, even my life was on the line.
Shit was about to get messy.
Chapter Three
Kennedy
Sweaty palms were just the start of the panic attack I was currently experiencing while standing in the very public and crowded airport. Every second that passed echoed in the heartbeat residing in my throat, making it hard to breathe, let alone think.
As the passengers from their flight all filtered down the escalator and into the baggage claim, there was still no sign of Remy. Ten minutes of waiting had my skin starting to crawl, and I started to pace while muttering to myself.
The bored-looking old woman next to me chuckled. “Don’t worry, dear.” Her thick Maine accent made it sound more like ‘deah’ than the actual word, and her wrinkles reminded me of my grandma before she died. “I’m sure whoever you’re waiting for is just taking their time.” She was watching the escalator with sharp eyes. “I’m waiting on my Peter. He’s been visiting our children down in Florida. I’m glad he’s back, though. I’ve missed him dearly.”
“It’s my stupid brother,” I told her with a shaky smile, thankful that someone was inadvertently helping me through the nerves I just couldn’t shake. Blowing out a deep breath, I managed to keep talking. “I’m assuming that he’s got some of his friends with him. At least, that’s what his text said.”
“Well.” Her smile grew even brighter when an older man with a weathered smile stopped at her side and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. He didn’t say a word though, while she kept talking. “I know they’ll be down soon. You have a good day.” With a kiss for the man at her side, she gave me one short wave and they were gone.
Belatedly, I realized I hadn’t even introduced myself. All of that faded when I saw a pair of combat boots hit the top of the escalator. Closely followed by another, and then another. Three pairs in all, and they were painfully slow in their descent. The way the airport was set up, there was a giant piece of wall that hung down obscuring the view, making it so no one could see who was actually coming down the escalator, at least not until they were halfway down. So, there I was, waving like a lunatic, when my brother and his friends stepped down. Except Remy didn’t so much as look at me while he went to get his bag, and I was even more embarrassed than before.
I waited, rather impatiently, and thought about marching over and confronting him about it. I was just as stubborn as he was. He must have forgotten it was a family trait. If he wanted to be a giant pain in the ass and ignore me, he could. Even