“What are we talking ‘bout?” TumTum butts in, “oh, those two? Yeah, the only ones who haven't figured it out yet.” He watches a moment longer. “Who wants meatballs for dinner?”
The change of topic gives me whiplash and yet it helps settle me. It reminds me of home. The ribbing, the gossip, the endless food. All that’s missing is the mother figure that Mama Debs brings.
We all raise our hands which also makes me want to snort. A group of adults all holding our hands up to vote on a meatball dinner made by a biker who looks as if he’s fifteen years old.
“How oldisTumTum?” I muse, as I watch him walk into the kitchen.
“Eh, somewhere around twenty-four, or thirty-four probably.” Damian says, shrugging then letting out a loud as hell whistle.
A caramel coloured dog with a smooshed in face, tongue lolling out and a bow on her head comes bounding over, stopping just short of me. Damian scoops it up into his arms and then coos in its face.
“Ma petite Barbara, what I ever do before you, huh mon cher?” he coos at the giant dog in his arms while it makes goo goo eyes back at him.
“He really does love that dog,” Joe drawls as she pets her little, black fluffy thing, Mosely. This one is wearing some kind of dog dungarees but at least Joe treats him like a normal dog. Kinda.
“Sagey Girl, wanna come pick out a cabin?” Vex calls, Omen and Saint stopping either side of him.
My brows pull in. What does he mean by cabin?
“Only the single brothers live at the clubhouse. Loyal and I live in Mercy’s old place, Joe lives next door. Nell, her little girl and River live in one just down the road, and Jason and his girl Izzy live near them. You can choose where you want to live.”
“TumTum and the prospects did them up real nice. You’ll like them,” Saint adds.
“Oh, um, are there any near you?” I ask Vex. If I have to live out here alone, I’d rather be close to someone who makes me feel safe.
“Yeah, the place next to ours is free,” Loyal smiles, moving to stand with my uncle, linking hands with him. They smile at each other and it’s plain for everyone to see how well they fit together.
“Chef, you good with that?” Vex calls over his shoulder and my brows pull low.
“Wait, why are you asking him?”
“You’ll be living together from now on.”
“What? But we’re not even married yet! Or at all! Do we have to? Can’t we just say we live together and he stays here?” Panic starts to rise in my chest and I’m not sure if it's because I’m worried I’ll start softening toward him, or be so angry I’ll bludgeon him to death. At this point it could go either way.
“We gotta make this look legit to anyone watching, that includes our guests.” Omen says, his eyes darting to some of the Keep rescues who are relaxing across the room by the games table.
“Come on, let's at least go have a look, yeah?” Loyal says gently, linking her arm through mine.
“I’ll come too. Moral support and all,” Joe says, linking her arm through my free one.
I blow out a breath, ignoring Chef as he comes to stand beside us. Let’s do this.
Chapter Three
Chef
“Shit, could you look any sadder?” Saint murmurs, eyeing me as we walk down the lane toward Vex and Loyal’s house.
“Shut up.” I try to growl the words out but I just sound pathetic and whiney.
“Seriously. You’re being given a gift here, and it’s one you’re lucky to be getting,” Saint continues. “I know you fucked up. Dunno how, don’t even want to know. But I know you’re a good man, which is why my brothers and I are letting you near our niece."
“What he said,” Omen agrees. “I wanted to kick your ass, but obviously my sister had a better plan. Make you live with a woman who can’t stand you.” He grins at me.
“She’s always been mean as a snake,” Saint says, shaking his head slowly.
“I have no idea how Sage came out so damn sweet. She’s too good for me, you know?” I kick a stone and watch it skitter away. “So sweet, and gentle. She’s soft, and somehow I broke that in her. I deserve her anger.”