Page 11 of Wild Card (Foster Bro Code #2)

Axel

I waited just long enough for the sound of Dalton’s cruiser to fade away. Then I charged over to the RV and opened the door. Banshee dove into my arms, the other dogs pushing in behind her.

I buried my face in her fur, and my heart squeezed hard.

Maybe I could get the money together to buy her somehow.

Maybe organize another poker night—maybe a whole weekend tourney sort of deal?

It was too soon, and Dalton was likely to slap the cuffs on me all over again if he caught on, but I had to try.

Besides, being cuffed by Deputy Harvey had been surprisingly satisfying when it included his dick in my mouth.

“What the hell happened?” Holden called from the open gate.

I took an extra moment, rubbing Banshee’s ears so I could swallow down the lump in my throat.

Holden came down the path toward me. “I saw the sheriff’s car go by. Please tell me you’re not in some kind of trouble again, Axel.”

“No.” I paused. “At least, I don’t think so.”

“What does that mean? We really can’t afford?—”

I raised my head, and he stopped abruptly.

“What is it?” he asked, tone softening. “What happened?”

“I think I’m going to lose Banshee.” My voice cracked like I was a prepubescent boy. “Fuck, I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

Holden edged closer, hesitantly reached out, and gave my arm a small tap.

That was a big gesture from him these days. I missed his hugs, though. I hadn’t had one since one of my pups died two years ago. It took a lot for Holden to overcome his aversion, but he always came through when one of us needed him.

“Come over to the shop,” Holden said. “Let’s figure this out together.”

I nodded, even though there wasn’t much to work out. Banshee’s fate was in Dalton’s hands now.

I carried Banshee. At thirty-five pounds, she was manageable, and the poor girl needed reassurance after her ordeal. The other dogs trailed along behind us.

“Wow, you brought the whole entourage,” Gray said, not sounding too thrilled as he eyed Taz.

I set Banshee on the floor, and she leaned against my leg. Sugar stayed close, as if she sensed Banshee and I needed her.

Loki bounced over and jumped up to lick Gray’s chin. He chuckled and scratched behind the German shepherd’s ears. “At least you like me.”

Taz growled, and Gray jumped like a scared little kid.

Bailey snickered from his spot by a Kia Forte. The hood was open, and Bailey was elbow-deep in grease.

“So, what was up with the sheriff’s car, then?” Bailey asked. “Obviously, you didn’t end up in cuffs.”

Oh, but I did …

“Sheriff’s car?” Gray asked.

“For fuck’s sake, is there an echo in here?” I grumbled.

“Something about Banshee,” Holden said. “Why don’t you tell us what’s going on?”

“Okay, but I need a drink for this.” I went to the mini fridge and pulled out a beer.

“Toss me one too,” Gray said. “I saw Dallas in town, and it took all my effort not to punch him in the face.”

Holden groaned. “You better get me one too. You’re all going to be the death of me if you keep getting into trouble.”

I pulled out two more and handed them off.

“I’ll take one,” Bailey said.

“Nice try,” Holden said dryly. “You can have a root beer.”

Bailey turned, leaning back against the car with a scowl. “I’m the only one working around here. When are you going to stop treating me like a kid?”

“When you stop acting like one.”

Bailey huffed and stuck his bottom lip out.

Gray tousled his hair. “Don’t think that’s going to help your case.”

I grabbed a soda for Bailey, which he begrudgingly took, then settled my ass on a pile of tires in the corner and took a drink of my beer.

Oreo and Loki roamed the shop, sniffing at everything, but Banshee stuck close and laid her head on my knee.

“All right, tell us what the sheriff has to do with Banshee? She’s not a wanted dog, is she?” Gray joked.

I saluted him with my bottle. “She kind of is, actually.”

I filled them in on her dognapping, my daring rescue, and Dalton’s visit—minus the cop porn. That would live in my spank bank forever, but I wasn’t going to share it.

“I can’t believe those assholes just dumped her and then stole her again,” Bailey exclaimed. “Fuck them!”

His indignance made me feel a little better. I hadn’t overreacted. They were scum.

“Right?” I took a swallow of beer. “They’re the ones Dalton should arrest.”

“You should have called me,” Gray said. “I would have had your back.”

“Me too,” Bailey said.

“And get everyone tossed in jail again?” Holden asked. “Surely there’s a legal way to keep Banshee.”

“Sure, if anyone’s got a few thousand bucks lying around. Turns out, Banshee is a high-class lady. She’s just been slumming it with us.”

My brothers exchanged a look. Holden cleared his throat. “Maybe we could move some things around. There’s a grace period on the loan?—”

“No,” I cut in. “Don’t fuck around with that. It’s too important.”

Gray frowned. “I could sell my bike. I don’t know how fast, but I can make some calls.”

Gray had rebuilt that bike and ridden it here from Missouri. He took Emory out for scenic rides. They both loved it.

“I can’t ask you to do that.”

“I’m offering,” Gray said. “I know you don’t always trust it, but I’m here for you.”

“We all are,” Holden added.

My throat tightened, so I finished off my beer to loosen it up. “Thanks. But hell, maybe she’d be better off with someone who can afford her without selling off vehicles or organizing shady poker games.”

“Are you still doing that?” Holden tossed his empty bottle in the recycling bin, glass clanking as it landed. “I swear to god?—”

“It was just an idea,” I muttered. “Calm down.”

Gray opened the fridge. “How about another round?”

My brother really was a wise man. We had another beer and shot the shit for the next hour.

I had a dozen more useful things I could be doing at the junkyard, but I kept waiting for Dalton to return, nerves swirling.

What if he couldn’t get Rusty to drop the charges?

Worse, what if Rusty insisted on having Banshee returned tonight?

The sound of an engine outside caught my attention. I walked out of the garage bay. Sure enough, Dalton was back.

I waved an arm so he’d see I was over here. Didn’t want him getting all riled up thinking I’d run off on him.

The car veered toward us and pulled to a stop.

Dalton opened his car door and unfolded his long frame, tipping his head at me.

My stomach flip-flopped.

“So?” I said, anxious. “You here to cuff me again?”

He raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping past me to my brothers. The corners of his lips curled, just enough I could guess what was going through his head.

The same dirty memory in mine.

“Are you taking me to jail or not?” I demanded, unsettled.

“Axel,” Holden said with warning in his voice, like I was his damn kid.

I clamped my jaw shut, even though I kind of wanted to shout or scream or shove Dalton to his knees this time.

My heart gave a startled thump. I thought I was done with these cravings. I’d gotten a taste. That should be enough. It always was.

“No jail today,” he finally said. “Rusty is dropping the charges.”

“Thank goodness,” Gray said.

“Thank you, Deputy,” Holden said.

“But what about Banshee?” Bailey asked, voicing the question I was afraid to ask.

I dropped my hand to her head. To reassure her or me? I didn’t know, but one of us needed it.

Dalton crouched down to look Banshee in the eyes. “You’ve been through enough, haven’t you, sweet girl? I think you’ll stay here with your owner.”

My breath caught. “What?”

He straightened to his full height again. “She’s all yours, Axel.”

I lurched forward, arms going around his neck. “Fuck, really?”

“Really,” he murmured in my ear, sending a shiver of want down my spine.

I suddenly realized I’d thrown myself into the man’s arms. What the fuck? The thought of losing that dog had gotten me all worked up.

I jerked back. “How did you get Rusty to agree?”

Dalton shrugged a shoulder. “I can be persuasive when I need to be.” His eyes twinkled. “I guess we’ve got that in common.”

“I hope you didn’t suck his dick,” I blurted.

“Whoa,” Bailey crowed while Holden quietly swore under his breath.

Dalton looked horrified. “Of course not. I don’t— I mean I wouldn’t— I’d never with, not with?—”

I laughed. “Holy shit, I was just joking. Breathe.”

He blew out a long breath, gaze darting to Holden and Gray. “Your brother is trouble.”

Gray snorted. Holden nodded solemnly. “Thanks for not arresting him.”

“My pleasure,” Dalton said, and I could swear there was a hint of the devil in those words.

Gray leaned in and murmured something to my brothers. Bailey retreated into the garage. Holden looked conflicted but reluctantly followed them inside, leaving us alone.

The silence drew out.

“Well.” Dalton cleared his throat. “I’ve got to get back to the station and revise my report.”

“Right. I owe you one.”

“Well, there is one thing you can do for me.”

“Yeah?”

I expected anything from a sexual favor to a warning to stay out of trouble.

“Come to the animal shelter with me soon? I want to see if we can register you as an official foster. Maybe keep all this on the up-and-up so if there’s an ownership conflict again, we can avoid the handcuffs.”

“I don’t know. That part was kind of fun.”

“We can’t make a habit of that.”

“Don’t worry, Deputy, I’m a one-and-done kind of guy.”

He chuckled. “I actually meant you breaking the law and me bending it to help you out.”

“Oh.” It shouldn’t bother me he had already forgotten the sex. That’s how I liked it. “Well, I can’t make any promises. I like trouble too much.”

“Don’t I know it?” He sounded amused as he climbed back into the car. “I’ll call you about that animal shelter business.”

I watched him drive away, bending to stroke Banshee’s ears.

“Sorry, girl, looks like you’re gonna be stuck slumming it a while longer.”

She yipped as if she understood me. Sugar gave a deep woof in agreement.

“Yeah,” I said. “Let’s go home.”

It only occurred to me once I’d settled into bed with Banshee pressed up against one side, Loki on the other, and Taz nestled between my ankles while Sugar settled by the door like a good guard dog that Dalton had never said how he’d persuaded Rusty.

But damn was I glad he had.