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She nods her head, though she doesn’t look convinced. I’m not worried about what they will ask of me. What I don’t know, I can learn. When it comes time to collect, Addie will be by my side, and I’ll have all the time in the world to get them whatever they need.

“Well, I don’t approve of your methods, but I was married once and would’ve killed to have even a fraction of the love you have for your lady friend.”

“Come on, there’s time. You could still find your one and only.”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m too old for that shit. I have my boys, and that’s enough. Just next time, would ya knock? You almost gave me a goddamn heart attack.”

“I’m sorry, Teresa,” I say genuinely, my hand over my heart. It only earns me another eye roll.

“Call me Mama T.”

I grin, pleased that I’ve been accepted. I told Jay—the ladies love me.

If the Basilisk Brotherhood didn’t respect Teresa, they would’ve kicked the door down to get to me. Instead, they rush inside, the four of them nearly tripping on each other to get in.

Teresa is already waiting at the door, hands raised in a calming gesture.

“Now, calm down, boys. He’s not here to hurt me.”

Slade grips her by her arms and spins her around, assuming to check for injuries. She twists out of his grip and swats at him.

“Stop it, I’m fine. I can take care of my damn self.”

Ryker's eyes immediately find mine, his pursuit never pausing for even a moment. He rushes toward me, but before he can make it another step, Teresa grabs him by the arm.

His head whips around to her in shock, and she glares at him.

“Are ya fucking deaf, or am I a mute now? What did I say? He ain’t here to hurt me, so calm down.”

Ryker faces me again, a mixture of anger and bewilderment on his face.

I take a bite of my chocolate chip cookie and give him a close-lipped smile while I chew.

These cookies are fucking delicious.

“Who the fuck are you?” Ryker barks while the other three flank him. Chests puffed, chins notched high, and hands ready to pull out their firearms.

Teresa rolls her eyes and mutters beneath her breath, storming out from behind them to sit in her chair with an irritated huff.

Boys will be boys.

Slowly, I stand, wiping the crumbs from my hands on my jeans.

“Z,” is my only response and Ryker’s brow quirks.

“Z,” he echoes dryly as if he doesn’t believe me.

“That’s what I said.”

“Like the Z?” Daire clarifies. Two tiny diamond dermals are pierced above a thick black brow, glinting as he arches it on his forehead.

“Yes,” I say. Introductions are so tedious when very few have actually seen my face. Anyone could claim to be me, but all of them would fail when it came time to prove it.

Slade snorts, rolling his dark eyes, which make an interesting contrast to the waves of dirty blond hair falling into them.

The only one who doesn’t have much to say is Kace, who stands back and observes me closely. If I were a lesser man, it’d make me uncomfortable.

“Let’s say I give a shit that you’re Z—why are you here and in Teresa’s house?”