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Cross picked up my call on the fourth ring. “What’s up, man?”

“Can we call a meeting? I have some shit we need to discuss. Important shit.” I knew the Reckless Bastards were a brotherhood, though some people called us a gang, and that meant our first priority was to each other and our families. But Sheena was technically part of that family so I had to tread carefully.

“You on your way now?”

I started the engine and reversed out of Teddy’s driveway. “Yep. See you in ten.” It was time I remembered who the fuck I was, and what I was willing to do for those I cared about. And though she wasn’t ready to hear it, I cared about Teddy.

I might even fucking love her.

Chapter 22

Teddy

“You don’t have to stay here, Lasso. What the hell kind of name is that, anyway? And doesn’t a man with a name and a face like yours have someplace else to be?”

Not that I didn’t like his company, the man was funny and charming, and that Texas twang was inviting.

“There’s always someplace else to be, Teddy. But when a brother is in need, we’re all in need. Besides, this is probably the only date we’ll ever have.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at his broad-shouldered confidence. “Is this a date?”

“You’ve got me. Food and a beautiful woman, what else do we need?”

“Murder,” I said seriously, laughing when his hands went to his crotch. Then I pressed play and queued up a new murder documentary that had just been released. “Now the date is perfect.”

He laughed but ten minutes in, Lasso was antsy and I paused the TV and looked at him. “What?”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, but this shit? It’s creepy as fuck.” He shook like a kid with the heebie jeebies, so I switched to a standup comedy special.

We laughed way too loud and too hard, but for seventy-five minutes I was able to forget the shit show that was my life. “You’re not a bad date, Lasso.”

He flashed that beautiful smile and batted his eyelashes. “Spread the word around, would ya, sweetheart?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m sure you have no trouble getting dates.”

“Not at all, but word of mouth is the best reference.”

I laughed so hard I cried. “I cannot believe you just said that.” I couldn’t stop laughing because he was as outrageous as he was handsome and charming. “I really pity the women of Las Vegas.”

“You should pity yourself, darlin’. You’re the one who can’t have any of this.” He rolled his hips in what was supposed to be a sexy laugh and I shook my head.

“I think I’ll survive, Lasso. Besides I can’t remember the last time I had a big handsome friend. You’ll be great to shop with. All the women will flock to you and I can pick up all the good shit on sale.”

His deep laugh was so loud we barely heard the knock at the door. I froze. Immediately, my thoughts went to the woman who wanted me out of the picture. I laughed bitterly. If only she knew that he was no more mine than hers. “I’ll get it,” he said and stood to head for the door.

“Wait!” I reached for my tablet and pulled open the camera app, turning it to him. “It’s Jag.” The new security system was up and working just as it should. Of course my mind had already spun eight different scenarios that Sheena could use to bypass it. Hell, if the event planning thing didn’t work out, I had a future as a security specialist.

“I’m here to relieve the beast,” Jag said with a smile as he walked in, flashing a wink at me over Lasso’s shoulder.

Lasso looked back at me with his most charming smile. “Look at Jag, here again for my sloppy seconds.”

The handsome, dark-skinned man grinned. “You fuck everyone Lasso, every woman in Las Vegas is your sloppy seconds. No offense, Teddy.”

“None taken, Jag. Come on in. We have some leftover Peking duck if you’re hungry. Babysitters get fed in this house.” That thought made my stomach hurt as it occurred to me that soon I would have to think about things like babysitters.

Maybe.