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Across the room, Janey is smiling at her dad and Ransom. Dan looks a little overwhelmed and a lot uncomfortable, like he doesn't know what to do with his hands. "You're right. Sometimes we can't have what we want." I meet his gaze. "Sometimes though, we get everything we want and more."
He nods, and follows my gaze to Janey. "I don't think I'm as lucky as you man." He wanders off, pressing a quick kiss on Janey's cheek, then he's gone.
I head to the hamster cage, and carefully pull out my favorite hamster, then walk over to the group. I press the hamster to Janey's dad's chest. Confused, he looks at me, but raises his hands to hold it. He brings it up to his face, and gently runs his fingers down his back. The hamster's whiskers twitch, and he sniffs at Dan's hands. Dan smiles, and I learn everything I need to know about the man.
Okay, maybe not everything. But enough.
"What's his name," he asks, carefully petting the tiny head with a forefinger.
"Norman." I study him for a minute. "You look more comfortable now. Less tense. Norman does that for me too. He's the softest."
"He is very soft," he murmurs, tucking Norman into his chest. It's his turn to study me. "Why did you marry my daughter?"
I don't hesitate. "Because her smile makes my whole world better."
He stares at me, unblinking. "I think that's a very good reason." Looking past me, he studies my apartment, absentmindedly rubbing Norman’s chin. "You can give her a good life here. One I never could." He frowns. "I have a lot to make up for."
"Yes. You do."
He chuckles, and studies me. "You don't much believe in sugar coating things, do you?"
Sugar coating. Pouring sugar on the couch. On the table. On a plate full of food. Making things sweeter and more palatable. “I speak plainly. And truthfully."
"Good. Don't ever stop. Too many people lie. Janey doesn't need another person like that in her life. My son is enough trouble." His face hardens, though his fingers still gently scratch Norman. "He always turns up again. You're going to keep an eye out?"
I nod, and he looks happy enough with that answer. No, I don't lie. I speak plainly. But I don't say everything I'm thinking.
Moving to Janey, I kiss her shoulder, nod to Ransom, and pull Declan into the living room. "Her brother is still going to be a problem."
He rubs his hand together. "Now are we going to take care of him? What about the scam artist boyfriend?"
I glance over at Janey. Both men hurt her. Both men need to pay. I nod grimly at Declan. He breaks out into a huge smile. "Hell ya!"
"Shut up," I mutter, scowling at him. "Janey's not going to find out. We're going to be discreet and ruthless."
Declan's eyes widen. "Are we going to kill them? The scammer, at least?"
"Are we the mob? Since when do we kill people? Maim them, yes. Terrify them, yes. Make them wish they lived half a continent away, yes."
"Yeah, that makes more sense," he mumbles. "But we're going to really terrify this Keith character, aren't we?"
"Oh yeah. I have a plan." I lower my voice and give him the details.
He snorts and shakes his head. "That's never going to work. There's no way."
"Do you want to bet?" I ask him. Declan pales, and he presses one hand to his butt cheek, right over the tattoo of my face.
"No. No more bets." The look on his face makes me so happy.
"It'll work. Now, leave. Take Ransom and her father with you. I need some alone time with my wife. We'll meet up with you in fifteen minutes. No. Thirty." More images of all the things I want to do with and to Janey flash through my mind. "An hour. We'll meet you in an hour."
Laughing Declan ushers everyone out. Janey watches, confused as the door closes. I don't wait for her to ask. "They're going upstairs. We'll meet them up there for dinner."
"But my Dad...he doesn't know everyone else. He's still holding the hamster. Maybe I should —.“
I take her mouth, stealing the words from her, and I make very sure that I'm all she's thinking about. Her dad can wait. Supper can wait. The inevitable screaming when Colton sees the hamster can wait.
"Wha...what are we doing?" she asks, looking sleepy, and ruffled.
