Page 26 of Wild Card (Men of Action #4)

TALON

The tug on my shirt pulls my attention from the scene in Willow’s backyard. Wyatt looks at me curiously, slipping his hand in mine.

“What’s up, little man?”

“Daddy said that Lolo got hurt again. Is that why he’s mad?”

I watch Rosie, Lynden, Chase, Sterling, and Willow all motioning in different directions, talking over each other. Given the small size of her yard, it’s a wonder one of them hasn’t gotten a black eye yet. They have two more minutes until I break in. Willow’s had enough family arguments today.

“I don’t think your dad is mad. He’s worried. She hit her head pretty hard.”

“I hit my head last week.”

I raise my eyebrows, sucking in an exaggerated breath. “Did it hurt?”

“Yep, but Daddy said my noggin is hard and I’d be okay.”

“Well, it’s cool to have a doctor as a dad.”

“You think Lolo’s noggin is hard?”

“Oh yeah, buddy. She’s very hard-headed. But her hit caused a big bump.”

“That why she was wearing ice?”

“Sure is.” And she should still be icing it .

“Uh-oh, Grandma Ro looks miffed.”

I bite back my grin at his depiction, but damn if he isn’t right. Rosie’s face is so red, she should blow steam any second.

Lynden releases a loud shout that will have the neighbors coming out soon.

“Let’s get your Aunt Lolo back to the sofa. She needs off her feet.”

I open the door and five heads swing my way. “Princess, time to take a load off.”

Her eyes shift between me and Wyatt. The fiery irritation dies as awe takes over. Her lips part, her cheeks brighten, and everything about her body language relaxes.

“Okay, honey.”

I fully expected a debate, but she comes over, lifts up to kiss my cheek, and tickles Wyatt’s stomach. “You hungry, buddy?”

“Daddy said you get to pick dinner.”

“Why don’t you and I pick together?”

He lunges for her, but I yank him gently back. “Let’s get her seated.”

“Sounds good, Uncle Talon.”

My heart stops as Willow’s small gasp fills the space. Many moments in my life stand out, most of them in the last month since meeting Willow. But right now, this little boy cemented another of those moments.

“Ummm, baby, I’m not sure what you heard, but Talon isn’t related to us.”

“Grandma Ro said he is going to be my uncle.”

Rosie is a smart fucking lady. And sly as a fox. Well played . I shoot her a glance of appreciation.

“Damn right, little man.”

“I want macaroni and cheese,” Wyatt declares when I get them settled on the sofa.

“I’d kill for some pasta and a large glass of wine.”

I’m ready to tell her no alcohol when Chase replies, “Normally, I’d say no to the wine, but a concussion is unlikely. And I’m staying tonight so I can watch for any signs of distress.”

My hackles raise. Willow’s guest room has a twin bed, but no way he will fit on that thing. Plus, I’m ready to have her to myself. “Come again?”

“Wyatt’s going home with Grandma and Grandpa. I’ll stay with Lo.”

“No offense, man, but that’s my job.”

“You have to work in the morning,” Willow objects.

“I’ll swap out shifts with someone. You show signs of distress, we’re going straight to the hospital, which means I’m calling out.”

“You can’t call out for me. You just got released for full duty again.”

“I’d move Goddammed mountains for you. But in this case, calling out is not a problem.”

“No need to call out. Rosie and I will be here at six. That okay with you?” Lynden quirks an eyebrow, waiting for my reaction.

“Good for me.”

“What is happening? I can take care of myself.”

“I’ll be here around lunch. We’ll go to the club if Willow feels up to it,” Sterling goes on, disregarding Willow.

“It’s Saturday. Wyatt has T-ball placement at three, but we can meet you for lunch,” Chase adds.

“I’m going to be on the best team, right, Dad?” Wyatt swings an invisible bat through the air.

“Yeah, but let’s not tell everyone it’s the best team yet.”

“Can Uncle Talon come, too?”

Willow chews her bottom lip, eyeing me carefully.

“I’ll be there.”

The boy springs to his feet on the sofa, pumping his fists. Wolf goes wild, barking from the floor and waiting for what’s next.

I swoop him up, cautious not to jostle Willow, and fly him through the air. “Let’s take it easy close to Aunt Lolo.”

He holds his hands out and I swish him straight into Sterling’s outstretched arms.

“Bex is joining us for dinner.” Chase waves his phone.

I slip my card out of my wallet and the room goes quiet.

Lynden clears his throat. “Your money is no good here.”

“Lynden—”

“Grandpa always pays for family dinners.” Willow kneels on the edge of the sofa and covers my hand. “We don’t argue.”

It goes against everything in me, but I put the card away and tip my chin.

“Y’all get the order together, Talon and I will get the wine.” Chase jerks his head to the kitchen.

Chase has been on edge since walking in this afternoon. Given everything that’s happened, it’s understandable. But my instincts pick up there’s more on his mind.

“Rylee going to jail?” He hands me a beer.

“Do you care?”

“I don’t give a shit, but Willow has a bleeding heart and my dad is grappling. He’s pissed, but torn.”

I blow out a breath, knowing Willow has been struggling with the facts. She wants it all to go away and refused to press charges for assault. It was Rowan’s statement, backed by the witnesses, that held ground on the arrest.

“She’s not going to jail. Willow won’t press charges. Rowan’s revenge is banning her from the salon, and as the tale goes, the publicity puts her business in the spotlight. Rylee will pay a fine and possibly do community service based on her lawyer’s deal.”

“Dad says the lawyer’s doing everything possible to keep the videos from going viral.”

It didn’t take long for videos of the incident to hit social media.

Personal videos were the last thing I cared about.

But with editing, filters, and enhancements, the incident is a circus show.

Willow may not be at fault, but she doesn’t need her reputation tarnished or her name attached to Rylee’s tirade.

I showed the family the video footage from inside the salon so they had the whole story.

“Rowan’s contacting the ladies who posted and requesting they be taken down.”

“I don’t understand how this escalated. Rylee’s always been over-the-top but not outwardly crazy or violent. She was acting like one of those senseless reality show housewives.”

“Didn’t peg you as a Real Housewives fan.”

“Bex likes it.”

And there it is. “You finally ready to admit that shit?”

“What shit?”

“You and Bex.”

“We’re friends.”

“Do you know what I do for a living?”

“You’re a cop.”

“I’m also a Marine who trained in combat and intelligence. I can read through bullshit without blinking.”

“You’re trained in intelligence? Like international intelligence?”

“Last active assignment had me and my guys in South America. Let’s say it went well in our favor.” I leave out the part about Major and Ace getting shot.

“Fuck, figures my sister would hook up with a badass.”

“Didn’t say I was a badass, just observant. I locked in on you and Bex the day at the clinic.”

“It’s complicated. We’re testing the waters, but there’s a lot at stake with our connection.”

“Bullshit again.”

His eyebrows draw together. “What’s bullshit about being cautious? I have a kid.”

“Any other woman, I’d say it’s smart. But with Bex, you had your mind set before making the first move. She is Willow’s best friend, and by extension, family. You don’t play games with that. It takes a man who knows the risks and isn’t willing to back down because his woman is worth it.”

“Kinda like you pursuing Lo with all her hang-ups?”

“Knew she was worth it.”

He holds my stare, blowing out a breath. “Bex is worth it.”

“When will you stop hiding and make it official?”

“When Bex is convinced Wyatt is okay with her being in our lives full-time. Which happened forever ago, considering she’s been around since he was born.”

“None of my business, man, but what happened to his mom?”

“Woman I dated in residency who freaked out when she got pregnant. Her life plan didn’t include having children until after she established herself. We knew we weren’t long term.”

“She gave up her child?”

“It sounds selfish on the surface, but in truth, it was selfless. She didn’t have any family and worked herself to the bone for everything she accomplished.

I was a little older, had endless family support, and was well-established.

She agreed to have the baby and give me custody.

Never once did I struggle. Grandma, my mom, and Willow stepped in.

My boy has the best maternal figures in his little life. ”

“Your mom, too?”

“She wasn’t always this misguided. But as soon as shit with Rylee came to light, I had to make decisions.”

“Where’s the birth mother now?”

“She’s moved to Denver, doing well for herself. Dating a new guy.”

“You keep in touch?”

“Yes, she’s not a part of Wyatt’s daily, but that was my deal. Keep her informed of his well-being. She gave me the best gift anyone ever could. I can’t complain.”

“Quite a story.”

“Bex was around for all of it. She knows the gritty details, which is why she’s wary. Add in anxiety about Willow’s reaction, and I’m stuck at snail's pace. I’d prefer to be much further along.”

“Can’t fault a woman for wanting the best for your son.”

“Which is one of the many reasons I’m a lucky man.”

I swallow the rest of my beer. “As enlightening as this conversation is, I get the feeling you had something else?”

“Outside of the incident today, you know what happened to Willow?”

“Yes.”

“My sister will internalize this incident. She has a way of twisting things in her head. Joseph fucked up. I didn’t like the asshole, but I was prepared to suck up personal feelings and support my sister.

It took me less than a day to know she wasn’t upset about the permanent loss of him.

It stung because of the way it played out.

She automatically blamed herself, and the humiliation set in. ”