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Sometimes, I think it’s a miracle any of us have significant others.
Given our lifestyle, I never saw it happening.
I never saw it happening for Alden or Ransom. I also never saw it coming for me. Is that what’s happening here?
I pull open the door slightly and peek out of the crack. Sure as shit, there’s a shit brown station wagon sitting parked beside my regular black sedan in front of the condo. The wagon is sporting double trouble. As soon as my brothers—the twins, Atlas and Orion—spot me, they crank down the windows and wave madly out of each side of the car. I quickly shut the door, leaning my back against it. Granny is right behind me, giving me a rather satisfied look. Oh yes, she’s pleased as spiked punch with herself.
“Granny…” I rasp. “What are you trying to do here?”
“I already told you. I’m trying to help you woo the girl.”
“You know, I was doing okay on my own.”
“Well, maybe we just missed you. What’s this I hear about people bringing in poo in a jar to pawn?”
“Actually, it was to sell. They didn’t want it back. People get confused about that.”
Granny nods like that’s a normal conversation to have. “Let’s go for a ride. I could use some cherry pie, and you need to tell me everything I haven’t already read after I hacked into both of your phones.”
I can feel my nostrils flexing as I breathe in sharply. “I knew that was you. You weren’t even discreet about it.”
“No, why would I bother? I wasn’t trying to hide the fact that I was getting involved. You think the swan boat ride from last year was an accident? I asked Ayana to bring her friend along, and I sat you two together so you could get to know each other. I also made sure you came back here when Maya was born and that you were here to support Ransom. He really did need someone close by while he adjusted. It wasn’t as easy for him as it was for Alden.”
“He and Azalea were literally destined for each other from birth. It made sense that she was willing to pick up everything, including her parents, and leave. It also makes sense that they’re super ridiculously happy together. They’ve had time to get used to the idea of everything, and they have a much slower pace living the lake life now. Out here, Ransom is right in the middle of it. He found out he was going to be a dad before he and Ayana even had an official date, and now he’s the son-in-law of the prez of a band of bikers, living in a big city and not doing the whole hacking thing. Ayana is going to school, and he’s trying to get his business running smoothly, which is hard when he’s not there. That’s a lot to get used to.”
“It is. So if you think this mission is just about your love life, you’d be wrong. It’s a real mission, Lennox. I mean it, which is also why I’m here. To help you woo the girl, to check up on Ransom, and to see my great-granddaughter.”
“So, no new mission?”
Granny shakes her head. “You sound disappointed.” I shrug, and she shakes her head again. “Go put on some pants, darling. You’re not escaping your poo-in-the-jar world yet. Right now, though, cherry pie. And information.”
I roll my eyes. “Geez, I’m surprised you haven’t bugged both our places yet. And Ransom’s too. Alden’s also, while you were at it.”
Granny grins, and if anyone has ever called my grin devious, they’ve clearly never seen hers before. She can rock a right frightening smile that is somehow two parts sweet old lady and one part pure devilish devil. “Are you sure I didn’t?”
I shudder. “Granny! Please!”
“What’s that? Cherry pie is calling my name? You’re absolutely right.” She snaps her fingers, and I know I’m done. There isn’t any chance of resisting Granny when she’s on a mission. A mission, not a Mission. There’s a difference, but I suppose, either way, there’s not much of a difference. She’s a force that’s always moving forward. In this case, toward cherry pie. “Pants. Now. Or you’re coming like that.”
“I think they’d have a problem with that, what with the no shirt, no service policy. Plus, they might call the cops over my appearance.”
Granny’s eyes sweep over my arms and then linger on my torso. “They’d be damn imbeciles. Anyone can see that you’re the best of the best, Lennox. Always.”
Well, gah. Doesn’t that just melt the stone-cold cockles of my heart? That’s actually ventricles for all you non-Latin-speaking people out there. I had to look that up once, and I was surprised to find they’re a real thing. Yes, I know. Shocking and astounding.
