Page 28 of Viktor

Gabe let out a chuckle, which earned him a glare hot enough to scorch the deserts of hell itself. Fuckers. Both of them.

Sara’s gaze shifted between the two brothers. The hostility coming off Viktor made her nervous. He was pissed, but at what? Mason hadn’t done anything. Except put his arm around her…was Viktor jealous? The anger vibrating under his skin said maybe he was.

It gave her hope she’d get that kiss sooner rather than later even though his anger made her a little skittish of him.

“If y’all are done, I want to introduce Mason to Delia. Don’t be offended if she hides or doesn’t say anything. She’s not good with strangers.”

“Pfft.” Mason shrugged it off. “I’m good with all women, no matter how old they are. They flock to this.” He flexed his arms.

“What wouldthisbe, exactly?” Gabe asked. “Flab?”

They all burst out laughing at Mase’s outraged expression.

“Good one.” Viktor bumped his fist against Gabe’s as they passed him on the way into the house.

They found Delia in the living room, her mother’s makeup spread out on the coffee table. She was using it on her dolls. Her blonde head bobbed as she spoke to the dolls like they actually understood every word she said.

“Delia, I want you to meet someone.”

The little girl looked up, and her eyes found Mason right away. They widened, but she didn’t run. Instead, she studied him, and he didn’t make a move toward her. He stayed still.

“This is Viktor’s little brother, Mason. He’s going to help Viktor set up the new security system.”

“Do you talk funny too?” she asked after several long heartbeats.

Mason laughed and went to squat down beside her. “I don’t know. You tell me.”

His accent wasn’t nearly as pronounced as Viktor’s, but it was enough for Delia to scrunch up her nose.

“You talk funny too!”

He placed a hand over his heart. “The feels, man, the feels. She’s hurt my feelings. I talk funny!”

She giggled when he winked at her.

“Whatcha doin’?”

“Makeovers.” She waved at all the mess on the table. “Can I make you over?”

“Why not?” Mason sat Indian style on the floor. “Do your worst, kid.”

Sara stood there, shocked to her core. Her baby, who was terrified of strangers, was acting like Mason was someone she’d known for years. Not only that, but here was a grown man, letting a six-year-old put makeup all over his face.

Who were these men?

“She likes him,” Viktor whispered.

“She still doesn’t like me that much.” Gabe shook his head. “I’m going to go help Roy with the tractor. Thing stalled out this morning.”

“Thank you,” Sara said. “You guys don’t have to help out with the farm, but you have been, and it means a lot. Dad isn’t as young as he used to be, even though he pretends he is.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Gabe brushed her thanks aside. “We’re happy to help.”

“Where’s your mom?” Viktor asked, trying his best not to laugh as Mason and Delia engaged in a heated discussion about the merits of red lipstick versus pink.

“Dad said her friend called and asked her to come over. I’m surprised she went. She wasn’t feeling well when we left to go to the store earlier.”

“SpongeBob couldn’t wear pink, silly. It would look awful against his yellow skin.” Mason flicked his hand toward the TV where the cartoon was playing. “Red is his color. Now, Patrick could totally rock the pink.”