CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT

Payton

“I know these guys, Mack,” I said, keeping the irritation from my voice as much as possible. “It’s all good.”

I’d barely managed to say hi to the men before Alex pulled his truck into the driveway. He looked worried as he stepped out of the truck and walked toward me, but when he caught my eye, he looked pissed. I forced myself not to roll my eyes as I closed the distance and met him halfway.

“You’re supposed to be inside,” he hissed.

“I was until about ten minutes ago. Lily’s dying to see her uncles, but I told her I wanted to check things out first.”

“Where’s your gun?”

“In my holster at my back,” I said.

“Is it loaded?”

I scoffed. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah.”

“Ohmigod, Hawk, this isn’t my first rodeo. Of course it’s loaded.”

He slipped his hand to my neck and thumbed my pulse. “You’re okay.”

I wrapped an arm around his waist. “Yes, honey, we’re both okay.”

His body finally relaxed and he leaned down to kiss me quickly. I smiled up at him. “That’s the most appropriate way to greet me, husband-to-be.”

Alex chuckled and kissed me again.

“Okay, we need to let Lily out,” I said. “She’s been really patient, but she’s missing you.”

Alex scanned the area and then nodded, so I waved to Bailey and the front door flew open just in time for the little flurry of blonde to make a mad dash for Alex. “Daddy!”

He bent at the waist and caught Lily, lifting her and hugging her tightly. “Hey, baby girl.”

“Owa pizza didn’t come.”

“I heard,” he said. “I’ll have a recruit pick another one up, yeah?”

“Okay, Daddy. Can I get down now?”

Alex lowered her to the ground and she made a beeline for Mack who lifted her the same way Alex had before hugging her and handing her off to Booker who swung her up in the air.

“Yo, Flea,” Alex called.

A young man who looked about twelve, but must have been at least eighteen, came jogging up to us. “Yeah, boss.”

“I need you to get pizzas. Two cheese, large combo, pepperoni.”

“No problem.”

I reached out my hand and smiled. “I’m Payton.”

He shook it, his grin wide. “Flea.”

“Nice to meet you.”

He gave me a chin lift and went off to find food.

“Mama, can Uncle Mack stay?” Lily patted my leg and smiled up at me, her hand firmly in Mack’s.

I giggled. “Of course he can.”

“Yay. Come on, Mack. Let’s watch Fwozen.” She tugged him away and he looked back at us helplessly.

“So, his appeal isn’t just to the adult female population,” I mused.

Alex raised an eyebrow. “What the fuck, Payton?”

I giggled. “Not my type, honey. Don’t worry.”

“Better.” He smiled and kissed me quickly before turning toward the crowd. “Booker. Inside.”

Booker gave him a salute, left the man he was standing with, and followed us inside.

“Should I send food out?” I asked.

“Nah, they’re splittin’ up shifts,” Alex said. “When the dust settles, we can go from there.”

“Okay. I should probably call my parents and warn them that there’s a biker gang in front of their house.”

“You do that. I’ll grab the beer from my truck and talk to my brothers real quick.”

I nodded and dialed my mom.

The rest of the night was shared with Mack, Booker, Dani (who came with Macey and Dallas), Brock and Bailey, and my parents. I have to give my parents credit. They welcomed these men into their home having never met them, and made them feel like part of the family. I got the distinct impression Mack didn’t want to leave, and I think my mom would have been fine with that.