Jack shrugged. “Do you know what matches every bra you own? Your lovely, naked pussy. It better because that’s all you get.” He pulled a long box out of his pocket. “Maybe this will make up for the loss of your precious panties, darlin’.”
Abby took the box, a stubborn look on her face. She looked like she would reject anything he gave her. That look slid off as she opened the box. She gasped as she stared down at the diamond necklace. Even from his place, Lucas could tell it was stunning.
“Oh, Jack.” There were tears in her eyes as she held it up. “Put it on.”
Lucas felt so jealous as he watched his brother fasten the diamond choker around his wife’s throat. Jack belonged somewhere. Jack had people who loved him enough to fight with him.
Abby fingered the diamonds that marked her as Jack’s. “I love it. It’s the best collar ever. I promise to be fairly submissive when I wear it.”
“Good to know,” Jack said sarcastically as he leaned down and kissed his wife. It was a simple, sweet kiss that made Lucas wish he had someone to buy jewelry for.
“As for you,” Jack started, turning to Sam.
Sam crossed his arms over his chest defensively. “I already got my dream bike made into a foot rest, and the other thing. It’s pink, Jack. She picked the pink one. Isn’t that enough punishment?”
Jack laughed and kissed the blond man swiftly. It was just as sweet as the one he gave his wife. “No punishment, Sam. You need a collar. You’ll lose anything I give you, so I’ve arranged for something else. There’s a car waiting. You do everything they tell you to do.”
Sam nodded, his face slightly flushed. “All right, Jack.” Sam gave Abby a quick kiss. “I’ll be back.” Sam walked out the door to wherever Jack was sending him. It shocked Lucas, but Sam didn’t ask questions. He didn’t argue. He just did what Jack requested. The trust he placed in his lover was awesome. Lucas had never trusted anyone the way Sam trusted Jack.
Jack was watching him. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m sending him to a tattoo parlor. Trust me, he’ll be thrilled.”
“He’s wanted one forever,” Abby said with a grin. “What’s it of?”
“It’s a very tasteful tattoo. Julian knows a skilled artist. She drew it up for me this morning. It has our initials wound together with barbed wire and a little rose for you,” Jack explained. “I’m going to get one, too, though not on the back of my neck. I think my chest is the perfect place for it.”
Abby went up on her toes. “I am so glad the boss is back.”
“Love you, baby,” Jack whispered before kissing her. He turned back to Lucas and eyed him suspiciously. “So, you think you can handle this? I have no intention of hiding the way I live my life, son. If the fact that I sleep with both Abby and Sam is going to bother you, then maybe you should head home.”
Lucas tried to follow the conversation. “I thought I didn’t have a choice in that.” He shoved the stupid hair out of his face again. He should never have let that hot celebutante talk him into this ridiculous haircut. “You were going to kill me if I didn’t leave and promise to never open my mouth.”
Jack’s hand was around his wife’s waist as he stared at Lucas. Lucas felt a little like squirming but managed to hold his ground. “I changed my mind, Lucas. I don’t have much family. You’re my brother, but you’re also an asshole. I think we can change that.”
“Really?” Lucas hated that the question came out as an expectant squeak.
Jack’s face took a paternally amused air. “Yes, really. A friend recently pointed out to me that sometimes we get a chance to pay the universe back for the good things it brings us.”
“It’s karma.” Abby cuddled close to Jack. “You’re Jack’s karma. Julian took him in when he was a young man, and now he’s going to do the same for you.”
It took everything Lucas had not to break down. He held himself still for a moment. They could be playing with him. Sometimes people liked to do that.
“I know about your money trouble, Lucas,” Jack said firmly. “Here’s the deal I’ll make with you. I’ll pay off your debt, and you come and live with us for a year. You’ll work on the ranch. Think about this, son. This is hard work. This is physical labor. You’ll live in the dorm I have for the unmarried ranch hands. There’s only three of them, and I think you’ll get along. You’ll eat with us, though. You’ll be my brother, Lucas. You’ll be part of our family. At the end of the year, you can stay on, or I’ll pay for whatever training you need to get a good job. I’d love it if you worked for me. I could use a lawyer or an MBA. It’s your choice.”
“Why?” Lucas heard himself ask. He fought hard not to cry. No one ever offered him anything like this before. No one offered him something in return for just working hard and being himself.
“Because it looks like you could use the help,” Jack stated plainly. “But, son, that hair is going to have to go.”
“Thank god,” Lucas breathed. “Can I do that today? This hair is awful. I hate hairspray, and it’s constantly in my eyes. And I promise to get some jeans that fit, and I won’t ever wear guy-liner again. I get to work with cows, huh?”
“Yes, Lucas. You’ll get to work with them and be kicked by them and probably step in more of their crap than you ever dreamed possible. It’s not easy.”
“I can do it.” He felt himself get a little defensive. He heard his father’s voice insisting Lucas couldn’t be trusted with anything.
“I know.” Jack’s voice was strong and encouraging. “You can do anything you set your mind to, Lucas Cameron. Do you have anything you need to get before we leave tomorrow? Let me warn you, Willow Fork is a small town. There’s no Best Buy out there.”
Lucas shook his head. He didn’t own anything he gave a damn about. He had that house in California, but it would be easy to sell it. The thought of a whole new life without the encumbrances of his old one sounded heavenly. He was ready to let it all go. “I’m ready whenever you are.”
Jack nodded. Abby was smiling at him kindly.
“You’re going to love living on the ranch, Lucas,” she promised him.
He wasn’t so sure, but he was more than willing to give it a go. Not a go, he promised himself. He would make it work. He would give his brother a year of hard work and then decide what to really do with his life. Jack would help, he suddenly knew. Jack would give him advice, and he would probably lecture him on all sorts of things. Jack would ride his ass, and there would be times when Lucas would wish his brother would keep his nose out of his business. Lucas smiled. It sounded great. “I know I will.”
Jack’s green eyes narrowed. “What kind of car do you drive, son?”
“Whatever kind you tell me to, sir,” Lucas replied quickly, remembering the little metal cube that still sported a visible Ducati symbol. He wasn’t going to mention the two-seater roadster he kept in LA. He had a feeling it would be cubed and added to Jack’s growing collection of offensive vehicles.
Jack nodded. “Good.”
Abby sighed. “Well, at least you’ll fit in.”
Jack gave Lucas a look that told him he should probably do whatever Jack said next. “Go on and get ready. We’re leaving in the morning. You should enjoy your last night in civilization. Don’t drink too much.”
“Okay,” he promised as he opened the door.
“And Lucas,” Jack called out. “Stay away from that Slater fellow. I don’t like him.”
“You got it, Jack.” That was the easiest promise Lucas had ever made.
Chapter Thirteen
Abby looked up at her husband as the door closed behind Lucas. Jack was so big and handsome, and what he was doing for his brother was kind. He was everything she could have wanted in a mate. “It’s a good thing you’re doing for Lucas.”