Stand Of Honor Read Online Free Page B

wouldn’t be able to keep from bragging. Nick loved his little sister. Except, fuck, she wasn’t so little anymore.
    As Zane thought it over, he realized that Nick never talked about his family. Probably since he knew how bitter Zane was over Rex. Maybe Nick just thought it was better not to bring either one of them up to try to avoid the memories.
    Zane didn’t know what to think right now. He hadn’t felt this excited for a woman in his life. Not even Faye. He could see now that she had never been sincere, but he had been just too blinded to see it back then.
    Melanie, though, her passion radiated from within her, and he knew she was the type of woman that fought for what she wanted.
    When she had seen the recognition in his eyes, he had closed himself off as he stepped back. He’d caught the brief twinge of hurt in her expression before she had turned to run off with her friend.
    He stayed a little longer to watch her from a distance, but she remained with her friend until they finally left the club. He headed out soon afterwards.
    She reminded him of her father , and she was Nick’s baby sister. No, she wasn’t the one for him. The deck was just stacked against him too much; he couldn’t risk it. Mind over dick, mind over dick…
    *   *  *
    Melanie was lying in bed wondering what had gotten into her tonight. How had she not recognized Zane right off? She’d had a slight crush on him as a teenager, but had been all too aware that he was out of her league, and at the time, way too old for her. Then all the shit about that bitch Faye betraying him and Dad falling for Faye’s lies had happened. She knew Zane harbored a lot of resentment against her father. Her dad hadn’t been there for him when he’d needed him the most.
    Zane had survived a rough childhood. He had lost his father in a car accident when he was a boy and his mother, who had been in the accident, never could get her life back on track. Zane did his best to be the man in the family, however his mother was never able to fulfill her role. She had become withdrawn and had always felt ill, becoming addicted to painkillers and alcohol.
    Melanie recalled a play in which Zane had earned the lead role. Nicholas had been in the same play. Zane had been so proud, telling Nick that he had saved a seat in the front row for his mother. He’d thought she was really going to show up this time. Once again, though, his mother was not to be found. Melanie still remembered his face when he had seen the empty seat. She’d cried for him when he wasn’t looking. She hated his mother and the woman’s incessant pretense of being sick to cover her addictions.
    After that night, Zane had finally realized that he couldn’t depend on his mother. Every time he had believed her lies—that she was going to be better—she had found some way to let him down again. Melanie thought that was the reason her father’s behavior when Zane had been accused had hurt him so badly—it was one more person letting him down. He had already grown accustomed to being betrayed and became distrustful of everyone. Her father and Zane’s mother had both proved that they couldn’t be there when he needed them. The only person that brought out his lighter side was Nicholas.
    Nicholas just had that effect on people . You always knew Nick had your back. It was why he was so popular with his fans and the women. Nick was a protector and people were drawn to him. She was lucky to have him as a brother.
    Zane used to observe her father training Nick. She had been watching the day Zane was sixteen-years-old and had walked up to her father. He had been nervous, but at the same time, he had been attempting to act aloof and tough. She recalled wondering what he was doing.
    Zane had surprised her when he’d looked up to her father and asked, “Mr. Brooks, can I start training with you?” Zane was putting himself out there, which was something he never did. He hated depending on anyone.
    She smiled