you're tired but I thought this was kind of nice," he said.
"It is," she said. "I might grab a blanket and sleep out here."
With that, Will marched off towards her room. "Be right back," he announced. And he was, with arms filled with pillows and her comforter. "I thought we could both sleep out here?" he said. And then his voice got soft and low. "Would it be okay if I stayed?"
Laura threw her arms around his incredibly broad shoulder. "Yes," whispered. And they snuggled on the early winter night before the warmth of a roaring fire.
CHAPTER FIVE
Laura decided she would not beg Lucas for her car. She discussed at length with Will the notion of reporting the theft to the police but she didn't quite have it in her to risk him a prison sentence. They even put the discussion before the Knights’ Disciples who unanimously said to turn Lucas in.
"It might be the best thing for him," Will suggested. "I have no problem giving you rides but I don't want to enable him. Besides, did you even clean your stuff out before hand?"
No she hadn't. There was no way to spin it. There was no good argument for not reporting the car. "I'll think about it. I'll do it. I just got to think about when."
"Don't think too long. He may rob someone else. You might have been a baby step crime. Sort of show he was willing. They don't call themselves the Mauraders for nothing."
They shelved the conversation and Will didn't push. It was a strange coincidence that when they went out to dinner, they just happen to bump into Det. Frank Vasquez. He was in the bar area. They said hello on the way to their table. Even though she was resolved she was powerless over her brother's choices, despite his being a minor, she felt sad. It was obvious. Will took her hand in his.
"Nope," she said cheerfully. "I am not going to all of this ruin our evening."
"There you go," Will winked.
Just after they were seated, Will excused himself from the table to the restroom. When he returned to the table, Laura's conscience was getting the better of her. Seeing the detective in the bar was some kind of sign to her that she should in fact turn in her kid brother in. But she didn't have the nerve. Her dilemma must have showed on her face for Will asked her. "What's the matter?"
"I am thinking I should go over to Detective Vasquez and let him know about Lucas and the car," she said guiltily.
"I think you can do that," he answered.
"Why is that?" Laura asked.
"Well he's not there," Will answered. "He was here just for drinks. I was going to ask him to join us but he wasn't there."
Laura took a deep breath. "Okay, well…I'll call him first thing in the morning then. I can't sit on this anymore."
Will covered her hand with his. "Good girl. I think it's for the best. It's really doing Lucas a favor."
"A favor?" Laura asked half-heartedly. "By sending him to prison with people who are worse than gang members? Talk about a rock and a hard place."
"I'd like two minutes with Lucas right now." Will shook his head.
"Why’s that?" Laura asked, confused by his remark.
"Forgive me for saying so, baby, but he's a little jerk for putting you in this position. If he only knew how hard all this is on you."
"I only hope he survives long enough to grow up to realize it. If he gets past all of this and changes his ways, I can forgive him," she said.
Dinner arrived. It was beautiful: perfectly dry aged, rare beef sliced atop garlic mashed potatoes and green beans. As Laura took her first bite, Will reached under the table and teased the back of her knee. Her face showed alert as she carefully chewed, withstanding his ticklish stroking. She was wearing stockings with garters and Will had full access. His touches sent wires of erotic electricity that surged straight to her center and she was wet.
She regarded Will whose eyes were dark and gathering just like a