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“Only alternative is you choosin’ one of my brothers, and that ain’t fuckin’ happenin’.” He crossed his arms over his chest, and I ground my teeth in frustration.
“What’s your problem? You don’t want me, but you don’t want anyone else to have me either? Or is it that you still don’t trust me?” That thought kind of hurt. I mean, I had been looking for refuge, but I wasn’t trying to manipulate anyone or anything. I just wanted to be able to sleep at night without wondering if I was going to wake up in the middle of the night right before Bruce or my father started beating the shit out of me.
“Never said I didn’t want you.”
“Fuck this shit,” I muttered. “I need to talk to Sting or Atlas about my list. Ain’t got time to fuck with you.”
“List?” He raised an eyebrow.
“My grocery list. And if you’re buying, I’ll need to add a few hundred items to it,” I snapped at him. So did Sparkles. Then she growled and barked at him, vicious as any puppy could.
“Problem?” Sting stepped out of his office, Roman right behind him.
I held out my list to him. “I’d like to get a few things for the kitchen, if you don’t mind.”
Sting took the list, not even looking at it. “Just tell me what you need. Is it all on here?”
“Yeah. Might have a few more things later, if all works out.”
Walker tilted his head at me, though I tried to keep my attention on Sting. “If what works out?”
I ignored him. Sting’s lips twitch. “What needs workin’ out?” He glanced at Walker. “Scooter.”
I rolled my eyes. “Nothing. I just thought I’d do some cooking. I mean, if I’m gonna be here a while, I want something other than pizza and beer.”
Roman, currently drinking a beer, snorted it out his nose, then got strangled on it.
Sting grinned. “Much as I like both, can’t say I’d be opposed to tryin’ anything you threw together. You are sharin’ right? ’Cause if your cookin’ is as good as your cookies, you may find more than one person here swiping tastes when you ain’t lookin’.”
“Always willing to share, Sting. In fact, that’s the whole point. Rose needs healthy snacks and often. And she doesn’t need beer at all.” I pointed to the list in Sting’s hand. “It’s pretty comprehensive, but I’m starting out small. Just the women. You guys want some, you can try it. If others like it, I can do more. If the women don’t like it, I can cook for myself.”
“Wait!” Wylde poked his head out of his office, his eyes wide in panic. “What if we like it but the women don’t?”
I had to bite back a grin as I shrugged. “I’m doing this mostly for Rose. She’s the pregnant one. If she doesn’t like what I fix, I’ll have to find something she likes, because she can’t live off the aforementioned pizza and beer, or hamburgers and hot dogs.”
Wylde gave her a pleading look while slowly getting down on one knee. “Please, oh beautiful, talented lady. May I join you for dinner? I don’t care what you cook as long as it’s not pizza or beer.”
Walker smacked the back of his head. “Get the fuck up.”
“No,” Wylde continued, shaking his head emphatically, not in the least bit deterred. “Been meaning to ask Sting if I could take over as her protector since you’re doing a piss-poor job of it anyway. Might as well do it now.” He looked back at me, clasping his hands in front of him in a pleading gesture. “I’ll be good to you, Blossom. You can bake me cookies and anything you want. ’Cause if your cookin’ is all as good as your bakin’, I’ll be in fuckin’ heaven.”
“All right, that’s enough!” Walker stepped between me and Wylde. Roman had to turn away as he got strangled on his beer. Again. Sting shook his head and covered his mouth with his hand. “Ain’t nobody takin’ over as her protector. I’m her protector. End of fuckin’ story.” Sparkles growled and snarled at him. Walker absently reached for the pup, and she promptly bit him. “Ow! What the fuck?”
“Sparkles doesn’t like you,” I said, frowning at Walker. Glancing at Sting, I asked the question I needed an answer to immediately. “Do I get a say in this? You said I did before.”
Sting gave me a thoughtful look. “I suppose, but it’s not been too long since this started. I got several men out on assignment. All of ’em but Cyrus expressed an interest in takin’ you on. I wouldn’t want to make a decision like that without presenting you with everyone vying for the position.” He studied me for a minute, glancing at Walker then to Sparkles. The little dog hadn’t taken her focus from Walker, obviously seeing him as a threat. “Can you put up with this asshole a few more weeks? If you can’t tolerate him, I’ll work something out.”
