THE BRAVO BOYS - SNAKE EATER [book three]

Chapter EIGHT

Shelby Quinn

Dallas rises to her feet as we enter the coffee shop, bouncing excitedly in her short crimson and white cheerleader uniform, waving us over to where she has saved a table by the window.. "Logan! Hey! Over here!"

She is a darling faced girl, the kind of youthful beauty that is destined to be crowned a pageant princess and I have to wonder why Logan would think she really needs my help.. Everything about her is graceful and poised, she holds herself with a confident air and she fits the role of a Beauty Queen perfectly..

Her chaotic curly blonde hair flows down to her waist in summery swirls, like thick ribbons of strawberry honey and her sparkling aquamarine eyes are as crystal blue as the clear Caribbean sea.. She has soft and delicate, almost fairy-like features and the prettiest pearlescent smile I've ever seen..

Uncomfortable and begrudging, I follow Logan across the cafe to where his niece waits and as we approach the table she steps out to meet her uncle.. She squeals and throws her arms around him as if she could barely contain her joy to see him.. I find it almost impossible to believe anybody would be so pleased to see the miserable man, but there she is.. Happy as can be..

It occurs to me as they embrace, that their connection is what love looks like.. The bond of family that is supposed to mean everything, always and forever.. I never quite knew that kind of closeness with my own family.. My parents had always been absent and while my grandmother did her best to raise me, she was a cold and emotionless woman of high expectations, just like her son.. I've never entirely understood what kind of thick blood binds two people together above all else..

A sharp and envious flame flickers in my chest to remind me of the mission at hand..
I will make my family whole again.. I have to find Hendrix.. I have to know why his work always came first, I have to know why chose Blackstar over me..

"Howr'ya, Tex- This is Miss Shelby Quinn.." Logan steps aside to introduce me with the polite wave of his hand and the gorgeous girl turns her electric cobalt gaze on me with a zap of curiosity..

"Oh my Lord, Miss Pennsylvania, as I live and breathe! You are even prettier in person than you are in the pictures!" Sweet as pie, Dallas reaches out and wraps me in a warm hug, as if I were one of her sorority sisters and we'd been friends for the longest time.. Before I know what is happening she has me in a choke hold and I have a face full of her blonde curls and a nose full of her strawberry perfume..

"Oof! Its--err- so nice to meet you, Dallas.." I mumble, trying not to inhale her hair, drawing back from the embrace with a tense smile..

"Oh please!" She giggles with the toss of her glossy mane.. "You can just call me Tex like Uncle Lo-Lo does!"

The scowl that sets across Logan's face is irresistibly amusing, to see his unfeeling facade falter for even a second is too delicious to pass up.. "Lo-Lo, huh?" I smirk looking up at Logan who shakes his head at me..

He rolls his eyes with an exaggerated sigh of irritation.. "Yeah yeah.. Don't bite the hand that feeds ya now, Barbie.." Logan glances around before excusing himself.. "Im'ma go order some coffee.. I'm sure y'all ladies have plenty to discuss.."

He takes a step away before turning to me with an unexpected courtesy.. "Can I get ya sum'in, Shelby?"

"Me?" I blink, a little surprised by his sudden chivalry.. "Uh--yeah- I'd love a latte, thanks.."

With a stiff nod he strides off towards the counter and my gaze is drawn down to his narrow hips and the flawless fit of his jeans as he walks away.. I just can't seem to take my eager eyes off him.. His muscular form and the way he moves, it's magnetising..