Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 38800 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 194(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38800 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 194(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
“Yeah, buddy. He did.”
“I don’t want nothin’ to do with anyone who hurts my mom.” That was said with the twelve-year-old looking straight into my eyes. I got the message.
“I understand. Completely.”
That seemed to be what Luke needed. He stuck out his hand and I took it immediately. “I’m Mom’s protector now. I ain’t big or strong enough to do much yet, but you are. So as her protector, I’m putting you in charge of keeping her safe. And keeping Danny away from her.”
I straightened, my grip on Luke’s hand tightening fractionally. “On my honor, Luke. I’ll keep her safe. In all respects.”
He nodded, then I let his hand go and he turned, heading back inside the house as I scrubbed a hand over my face. I hoped and prayed Dad saw Danny first. If it was me, there was the possibility no one would see the swine ever again.
Luke looked out over the big backyard. “You know, this place is pretty big.”
“Yeah. It is. Dad always hated mowing it, but my mom wanted a big yard. She used to have flower beds everywhere.” I smiled at the memory.
“Mom always said she wanted a house with a really big place to put a garden. She said her parents used to grow their own fruits and vegetables. She said she misses stuff like that.”
I stroked my beard thoughtfully. “You think she’d like something like that here?”
With a shrug, Luke looked up at me. “Dunno. Just sayin’.”
Oh… challenge given.
“I see. Well. I might have to talk to Dad. See what he thinks.”
“It’s his place.”
“Yep. But I’m bettin’ he’d enjoy seeing your mom happy.”
“What about you?”
I took my time, really thinking about my answer to that question. “I think your mom deserves to be happy more than just about anyone I know. And I’d love to see the smile on her face.”
That must have been the exact right thing to say because Luke actually grinned. “You might be all right, Knox.”
I was about to follow Luke inside when Evelyn pulled into the driveway. Likely with a trunk full of groceries. Immediately, four guys approached us from where they’d been sitting on their bikes just off the property and out of sight. Lemon had ordered a protection detail for Evelyn, the kids, and my dad. They generally stayed out of the way, but when Evelyn came home with groceries, they all came out of hiding to infiltrate our happy home. I couldn’t help but smile. Evelyn loved to cook for us all, and the guys appreciated it.
“Hey, Evie!” Wolf, a guy who was normally very secretive and withdrawn, smiled as he approached Evelyn. “Whatcha got there? Need help carrying it in?”
Evelyn graced him with a beautiful smile, and an ugly green-eyed monster reared its ugly head inside me. “Mine,” I growled. Evelyn just laughed, stepping into me and lacing her arms around my neck. She went up on her tiptoes and kissed me gently. Which wouldn’t do. So I wrapped my arms around her, bent her backward, and gave her a deep, proper kiss.
Catcalls all around.
“Get a room, you two.”
“Someone’s staking a claim. You got her property vest yet?”
“Jesus, Knox. Never saw you kiss a woman like that before.”
Everyone laughed at me. Which, fuck them anyway.
When I ended the kiss, Evelyn looked adorably embarrassed and dazed. Also like she was more than ready to go find that room.
“Never wanted to kiss a woman like that before. Just makin’ sure you dumbasses know Evelyn is mine. Not yours.”
“They know.” Evelyn snuggled in closer. She’d become more comfortable with our relationship and how she could touch me. She loved snuggling. Adored it. I never had, but with Evelyn, I was becoming addicted. I loved the closeness with her. Being able to pull her into my lap and kiss her or just hold her was a luxury I never knew I needed. And I learned all this about myself in the space of a few weeks. “I need to talk to Lemon about getting some better cooks in your compound because clearly your men don’t get enough to eat.”
“Oh, they get plenty,” I groused. “They’re just growing boys.”
“Who love your woman’s cooking.” Wolf grinned at me before snagging a couple of the bags in the trunk to carry inside. On his way, he leaned in and kissed Evelyn’s cheek.
“Not cool, man. I will get even.”
“Still worth it.” He winked at Evelyn and continued on. Evelyn giggled and buried her face in my chest. I chuckled and kissed the top of her head. She still didn’t know everything about us, but I’d tried to feed her small things from time to time.
“I’ll give you something to laugh at,” I growled at Evelyn before picking her up and throwing her over my shoulder, marching into the house with her as I clamped an arm over her thighs to hold her steady while tickling her with the other hand.