Page 25

The sound of tires crunching on the gravel alerted the guys to the fact that they were about to be questioned.

Daisy’s jeep came into view and they thought for a moment that she was going to take a right and drive past Kaid’s house on her way off the property, but at the last moment, she slowed to a stop, then proceeded toward them.

She pulled up next to them and the darkened window of her jeep rolled down.

Instead of Daisy looking at them from the driver’s side, it was Janie in the passenger side, with Daisy sitting in the driver’s side, allowing her mother to do the talking.

“Well, this isn’t disturbing at all,” Janie said, her lips pressed together like a disapproving librarian who just told a group of kids to remain quiet for the third time.

“Disturbing?! Why does it have to be disturbing? We’re just a bunch of males hanging out and passing the morning,” Maverik said.

Janie glanced at Daisy.

“Lie,” Daisy said.

“Oh, come on!” Maverik snapped.

Bane chuckled softly as he got up and walked over toward the jeep his mate and his daughter were riding in. “Hey, baby. It’s nothing to worry about. I’ll bring you up to date later. Just a little off the cuff planning.” He leaned through the open window and kissed his mate. “Where y’all headed?”

“Going to take a look at Daisy’s art studio and try to get an idea of how we can arrange it to make sure everything she wants is included.”

“We’ve started breaking up the concrete. It won’t be long before we get most of it hauled away and can start renovating the building,” Brandt said.

“Don’t forget I want to leave part of the concrete. I’m going to use the area for painting,” Daisy said.

“I won’t. Got that part roped off,” Brandt said. He gestured toward Lucien. “Y’all get to meet Hellen’s mate, Lucien, yesterday?”

“We did,” Janie said. “Since you’re introducing him as Hellen’s mate, I’m guessing it’s official.”

“It is. Got me another son-in-law,” Maverik said.

“Congratulations, to all. I’m excited for you, Lucien,” Janie said.

“Thank you, ma’am,” Lucien answered.

“Don’t think I’ve forgotten that you didn’t tell me about my own grand baby,” Janie said, shooting a stern look at Brandt.

“Ma, I explained about that,” Brandt said.

“I know you did. But you could have trusted me. I get that not all mothers have self-control, but living with this crew, and your father, I do believe I deserve some credit,” Janie said.

“Hey! I’m a good mate,” Bane said.

“Actually, you are. You’re less trouble than some that shall go nameless, but that’s not my point.”

Daisy smiled a bit from time to time while her mother was getting on to Brandt for not sharing the fact that she had a grandchild on the way, but she wasn’t really involved too much. She was even more reserved than yesterday.

“You ever going to let me live it down? I mean, I am an adult and it was a decision that both me and Tempest made.”

“Maybe. Speaking of Tempest, how is she feeling?”

“She’s good. Just tired and hungry all the time,” Brandt said.

“Maybe we’ll bring her something to snack on when we come back,” Janie said, looking to Daisy to see what she thought about it.

Daisy nodded.

“She’s craving sugar. Maybe something sweet,” Brandt offered.

“We can do that.”

“Y’all try to stay out of trouble, please,” Janie said.

Bane kissed her again and winked at Daisy. “Same. Y’all stay out of trouble.”

“Yes, sir,” Daisy said to her daddy.

“Hey, Daisy?” Lucien said, though he’d remained quiet for the entire conversation.

Daisy leaned forward so she could see past her mother. “Yes?”

“Offer still stands.”

Daisy didn’t flinch, she very calmly looked Lucien in the eye, then after a noticeable pause, she gave him a single nod.

“What’s he talking about?” Havoc asked. “Offer for what?”

Daisy lifted a hand and waved at the group of them, then put the jeep in reverse and backed up as she rolled up the electric window.

Bane watched them for a few moments then turned to Lucien. “What do you know?”

“No details. Just that I can feel the sadness rolling off of her,” Lucien said. “I told her yesterday that I’d kill whoever hurt her if she’d give me a name.”

“I heard that part yesterday. Did she give you a name?” Bane asked.

“Nope. Just reminding her that the offer still stands,” Lucien said.

“You big on killing people, aren’t you? I like that. I do. Not afraid to take care of shit when shit needs to be taken care of,” Maverik said, nodding to himself.

“You a healer?” Brandt asked.

“Me? Oh, hell no. I’m more of a destroyer. But any fool in touch with nature in general can pick up on waves of emotion. That girl’s hurting,” Lucien said.

“Who the hell knows anything?” Bane demanded.

“I know she’s been off, but she’s got me blocked,” Bam said with a shrug. “I keep an eye on her, though, the rare times I get to see her.”

“Probably avoiding you so you don’t read her too well,” Daniel said.

“Probably. Anybody have any ideas at all?”

They all looked around at each other and shrugged.

“She was fine, almost ready to graduate, and then all of a sudden she was home and avoiding every damn one of us,” Bane said.

“Hold it. Didn’t Emmalyn help Daisy find her studio?” Brandt asked.

“I guess. But I don’t know nothing,” Barron said.

“Dude, really?” Brandt asked.

“Look, I don’t have nothing to do with it. Alright? And I honestly don’t know a single detail. All I know is that Emmalyn makes it a point to call Daisy at least once a day.”

“So does Analise,” Havoc admitted.

“So they’re circling the wagons,” Remi said.

“Seems like it,” Brandt admitted.

“Look, I get she’s a grown ass woman and can do whatever she pleases,” Bane said, “but she’s my child. If something has hurt her soul-deep, I’d like to know what it is if for no other reason than to be able to be there for her, or to be ready if she might need me to be there for her.”

“Obviously some of the females at least are aware and taking care of her,” Ronan said.

Brandt nodded, his hand shoved in his pockets, and looked around at his people. “Want to take a ride out to Daisy’s studio and poke around for a bit on the pretense of offering some suggestions and seeing if she has any new ideas?”

“I want to get home to Hell,” Lucien said.

Everybody chuckled.

Even Lucien grinned. “That does sound the opposite of what I mean.”

“Daisy’s place is nearer town than us, maybe we’ll run into town after and grab some sweets to bring back home.”

“I’ll take a ride,” Shaun offered.

“Sounds good. Just don’t want to be all day,” Lucien said.

“Might find out who it is you’re trying to paint a target on,” Brandt said.

Lucien nodded. “Let’s do it.”

~~~

Hellen sat next to Emmalyn laughing and sharing stories with Analise of all the shenanigans they used to get into as kids.

Analise laughed so hard she had tears running down her face.

“You know,” she said, still laughing, “maybe it’s a good thing I was too much of a stay at home kind of girl to go out and get involved in all that!

I cannot believe you painted all the desks and the walls in Mrs. Treadway’s homeroom pink senior year!

I thought for sure that was the guys trying to hang it on us,” Analise said.

“Nope. It was the one time I broke a rule and I was so sick about it,” Hellen said.

“Yeah, it’s a good thing I didn’t include her when I used bleach to write ‘You all suck!’ in the middle of the football field. She’d have cried,” Emmalyn said, giving Hellen full side-eye.

“I thought that was…” Hellen started, catching herself before she said Marie-Claire’s name.

“It’s fine,” Analise assured her. “That’s all in the past and none of it matters anymore. And I thought the same thing you did. It just made sense,” Analise said.

“Yes! I figured she was telling all of us we sucked,” Hellen said.

“No, I was telling everybody there that they all sucked. I’d have done worse for the way they all looked the other way and let my sister get mistreated by the queen bitch and all her attendants,” Emmalyn said.

“But I was afraid it might come back on Analise, so I just left it at that. As it was, they had to spray paint the field green for every game because the bleach killed everything right down to the roots everywhere it hit.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t bleach Havoc’s yard, now that I know it was you,” Analise said.

“Thought about it, but didn’t want to have to face Aunt Valerie if she figured out it was me. Besides, it was Hellen’s yard, too.”

“True,” Analise said.

“It’s almost too hard to believe that we’re all mated now. Adults out on our own, building our lives,” Analise said.

“I honestly never thought you’d take a mate,” Emmalyn said, looking at Hellen.

“Hey, look who’s talking! I never thought you’d accept Barron.”

“I fought it. I did. I admit it. But he’s just so damn…

” she hesitated for a moment as she searched for the right words, “perfect,” she finally said, shaking her head.

“He’s kind and he’s strong, and he’s patient, and he just laughs at me and let’s me do my high-strung thing whenever it hits me.

There’s no one who could love me more, or love me better than Barron does.

And despite every effort on my part, I love him just the same way. I adore him,” Emmalyn said.

“I love that,” Hellen said.

“Me, too,” Analise added.

“And tell me about Lucien. I haven’t met him yet,” Analise said.

Hellen rolled her eyes. “I don’t even know where to start,” she admitted, bashfully.

“I do. Looking at that man makes you want to throw him down and climb on top of him.”

“For what?” Analise said.

“Sex!” Emmalyn half-shouted. “He’s pure sexy!”

“Uh, that’s my mate you’re talking about!” Hellen exclaimed.

“Which is why I didn’t attempt it. Well, that and Barron.” She looked at her sister and nodded for emphasis. “He is that damn attractive, though.”

“Oh! Well, now I can’t wait to meet him,” Analise said.