The Santinis: Vicente, Book 4 by Melissa Schroeder Read Free Book Online Page B

she’s one for organizing anything and she did it for Mike, for a while at least. But, he started to resist. Then…the drinking and the women.”
    “ Women?”
    “ Yeah, your friend was a real bastard. He couldn’t keep it in his pants. I think that was what drove Jules completely away. She put up with a lot from the bastard, but when he started cheating on her…not to mention messing with their money, she walked away.”
    It was hard to think of Mike that way. Of course, Mike had had his faults just like anyone else. But these things…Vince would have never expected the cheating. Of course, he’d lied to him about sleeping with Jules when they were in high school, so now Vince wondered what else his friend lied about.
    “ I just wanted you to know there was a lot in their relationship and I want to make sure you don’t hurt her. That’s one woman who doesn’t need any more pain.”
    “ You aren’t interested in her otherwise?”
    Jesse shook his head. “Naw. I kind of see her as a sister. Of course, if Mike hadn’t had that wreck, I probably would have killed him myself. Their marriage, in the end, was a living hell for Jules. There was more than one night I felt I failed protecting her.”
    At the moment he had much of the same feelings.
    “ And I’m assuming you’re going out with her soon.”
    “ In a way. We went out last night.”
    Which wasn’t exactly a lie. He just didn’t feel right outing their relationship in front of Jesse. Truth was that Vince wanted to keep it between them for the next little while. It was something he wanted to share with only her.
    Jesse chuckled. “And here I thought you were committed to your title of Last Santini Standing.”
    He shrugged. “I guess we’ll see.”
    He gave him a look that told Vince he didn’t believe him.
    “ So, I take it you went out to see MJ again.”
    He smiled. Vince might not like the man sniffing around his business, but it was nice to see another military family as close as the Santinis, mainly because it prepared MJ for the intrusive life of a Santini.
    “ Lord, yeah. I think she’s bigger today than she was last night.”
    “ You didn’t tell her that, did you?” Vince asked.
    Jesse rolled his eyes. It was so like the same expression MJ had when she was irritated that Vince laughed.
    “ I’m not stupid.” He sighed and stood. “I just wanted you to know there’s nothing going on between Jules and me. And, know if you do anything to her, I will hunt you down and make you pay.”
    Vince studied him for a moment then nodded.
    Once he was alone, Vince sat back and looked outside. He had been ready to live alone the rest of his life. He’d always thought that he’d never meet a woman like Jules. He didn’t feel comfortable settling for someone who just didn’t have his whole heart. It wasn’t the Santini way. And, he couldn’t do that to another woman.
    She’d been back for a while and Vince knew that his mother had been spending time with her. He’d avoided the shop even though he drove by it at least once a week. Which did not make him a stalker. Really.
    Okay, a little bit, but his mother had been so worried about her, Vince felt the need to make sure she was alright. Of course, he never stopped, but that didn’t mean anything.
    He scrubbed his face with both his hands. He had to ask Jules about her relationship, but he was worried about pushing her. Last night had been more than he ever expected. Waking up with her in his bed had been a memory he would never forget.
    He needed to know what went on at some point, but he didn’t want to lose her. Vince knew without a doubt, this was his last chance with her and he wasn’t about to screw that up.
    Now, if he could just remember that, he’d be fine.
    * * * *
    Jules was just stepping out of the shower when she heard the roar of a Harley. She dressed as fast as she could knowing that Vince would probably stop over. They hadn’t made any plans, but she had a feeling he