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“Always glad to help out.” He winks at Noah and only seems to draw more ire from his sibling.
“I bet you are,” Noah growls. “Especially since I’m typically the one doing all the heavy lifting.”
“It’s just a door, Noah.” Alex laughs as he says it, and I can see Noah’s face turning red then purple with rage.
“Now, now, boys.” Wiley, my mother’s annoying plus one steps over to his sons. “It’s never just a door with you two. Alex, you know better than to goad your brother. He packs heat.”
“I’m with Alex on this one,” Everett pipes up without warrant. “The party’s inside. And with a room full of half-dressed women, you’ll still find something to complain about.”
Alex and Everett share a quick laugh.
Wiley shakes his head at them. “I see you’re looking to get pumped full of bullets, too, Everett.”
“Oh, come on.” Mom pulls Wiley in close. “No one is going to get pumped full of bullets tonight.” She glances my way. “Lottie has exceeded her limit on victims this month.”
Another bout of laughter ensues, this time including Keelie, who just cropped up, and Noah himself.
I shoot him a look before shaking my head at the woman who raised me. “Mother, how could you? Those were your friends.”
Her lips press tight. “I know. I feel terrible. But I couldn’t help it. The more I’m around Wiley, the darker my sense of humor gets. He brings out the beast in me in so many ways.”
“This conversation just took a dark turn,” I say.
We head on in and Noah pulls Alex back a notch. “I’m serious, dude. Cormack is ready to pop and the real daddy had better step up to the plate. You’re going to be a father soon. You can’t just keep up with this farce.”
“Why not?” He frowns at Noah. “The farce is fun. Besides, Cormack knows what goes where and how babies are made. She already knows the truth, she just refuses to believe it.” He pats his brother on the back. “Just like you’re refusing to believe you’re about to be an uncle—only my child will call you Dad.” He laughs it off as he heads deeper into the establishment.
“He’s a riot.” Noah shakes his head in dismay as my mother and Wiley head over to the section of reserved tables that take up prime real estate right in front of the long, illuminated stage.
Boisterous music twangs from the speakers, the lights are low in this crimson jungle, and the scent of booze and money fills our nostrils.
I spot both Sam and Meg at the bar with none other than Jed Silver between them.
“Let’s go say hello,” I suggest as I pull both Noah and Everett in that direction.
Face it, if it wasn’t for Sam and Meg, none of us would be headed anywhere near Jed Silver.
Although, I would want to.
Heck, I need to talk to Jed.
But I know for certain the words I want to say aren’t possible with Everett and Noah hanging around.
Jed sheds a cheesy grin as he nods to Noah and Everett. “Bringing the little woman out to show her how you want it done in the bedroom?”
“Everyone’s a comedian,” Noah grouses as he glances toward the table where Cormack is already chowing down on a platter of nachos.
I’ll admit, nachos don’t get much better than they do at this place. I’m not sure why, but the cheesy magic is a notch above the rest.
“Essex, Noah”—Sam wraps her arms around Jed—“I’m here keeping tabs on my man.”
Meg chortles at the thought. “Honey, every woman in this place is keeping tabs on your man.” She wraps an arm around Jed herself. “Including me.”
“I’m just here for the nachos,” I say, not willing to toss my hat into the Jed Silver ring.
Although, truth be told, I am most certainly here to keep tabs on their man.
Technically, he’s my man since I was giving him some cold, hard cash under the table while he managed the casino for me.
