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“I’m letting this go,” I tell Tomcat who grins. “Because Armor kicked your ass and then you got shot. Plus, your kids are brats, and that must suck.”
“Don’t shit-talk my kids,” he mutters, flashing a dark frown.
Ignoring him, I gesture for Blair to come over. Her feet got stuck when she saw so many large men in one place.
“Blair, this is Tomcat. He’s a dumbass and has little dumbass children. They will bite you, so beware.”
“Only part of that’s true,” Tomcat insists and acts like he might pat her head. When I exhale roughly as a warning, he very deliberately pulls back his hand. “Your daddy has such long hair and pretty eyes. Just like Little Red Riding Hood’s grandma.”
Blair backs away, maybe realizing someone’s about to punch someone else. Yet, when I wave her closer, she obeys. The fear in her eyes fades when she sees me smiling. That’s all it takes. Just a little warmth and my girl trusts me. Admittedly, I hope she’ll be less trusting with men when she gets older.
“Blair,” Ruin says, and I frown at him for speaking to her. My president ignores me and introduces Joie. “You’re around three years apart. That’s doable, right?”
“Sure, Dad,” Joie says and studies Blair.
The girls couldn’t be more different. Tall and athletic, Joie’s a tomboy to her core. She wears her blonde hair short like one of those boy band weenies. She dresses like I did back at her age—baggy khaki pants, a printed T-shirt, a flannel top, and high-top sneakers. In contrast, Blair’s blonde hair is tied up in a bouncy ponytail. She wears a pink-and-blue T-shirt, pink leggings, and sparkly pink shoes.
Joie’s all rugged confidence that comes from having her father rule as the biggest asshole in town. Though Blair is self-assured in her element, she’s easily intimidated in situations like this one. I’m ready to keep them apart as soon as Joie takes charge.
“Yazmin said you have a cat,” announces the older girl. “Can I see it?”
Blair’s face lights up as she nods. Just like that, the girls wander off. When I consider how Ruin said Joie’s the only girl in her class who isn’t chasing boys yet, the age difference with Blair might be a good thing. My girl is years from caring about such things.
“She’s a cute kid,” Ruin tells me.
“I know.”
My president tugs off his sunglasses and narrows his eyes. “Since we’re teaching each other how to act like humans, I should inform you that compliments usually receive thanks.”
“I’m tense.”
“I see that.”
My gaze fixes on Selene and Yazmin. The women stare at Ruin, waiting for something. He finally realizes they want permission to go inside to look for Landry. Once he whispers to Selene, the sisters leave.
“Is this how it’ll be now?” Goose grumbles with her hands on her hips. Her fire-red hair is gelled into a faux-hawk, and her tank top shows off her tatted arms. “All of us getting domesticated.”
“It’s only these two,” Tomcat says and gestures at Ruin and me. “And they tried domestication before. No one else is signing up for that crap.”
Everyone glances at Armor. When he notices them eyeballing him, he sneers at Tomcat. The message is clear—his club brother fucked up shit with Yazmin. Now, Armor’s stuck living with his sister at the Pigsty forever.
That’ll never be me again. My partying days are over. Unfortunately, I can’t marry Landry in the state’s eyes yet. She’ll need to jump through a few legal hoops first.
In my heart, she’s already my wife. Her five kids are mine. That’s why I want my club to get to know Landry and for her to feel comfortable around them.
On the porch, Woodrow walks out with Beckett and Brooklyn following after him. The kids are decked out in their new outfits—her in a flowered-print one-piece, him in a gray shirt and blue-and-white checked pants. Beckett’s thick hair is combed back. Hers is tied into pigtails. They wave at everyone, likely prompted by their “uncle.” Beckett ditches that routine once he spots me.
Ignoring the other large men, he lifts his arms until I carefully pick him up. I notice Ruin, Armor, Tomcat, and Goose wearing worried expressions.
“I know what I’m doing,” I say when Beckett is securely in my arms.
“Seems like he might fall,” Goose replies as Tomcat acts like he’s preparing to catch Beckett. “You might want to secure your cargo.”
“I’ve got him.”
“He might be sliding out of your grip,” Ruin says and points at Beckett’s little legs.
“I won’t drop him.”
