Page 45 of Wild Card (Men of Action #4)

I’ve been waiting for this. “It’s because I told her you both were being treated for syphilis.”

Both men’s faces go hard. “Not fucking cool.”

I shrug, taking a sip of my own whiskey.

“Seriously, what gives? Ace had the whole best-friend-in-love going for him. Our brother locked in Jewls early, knocking her up. Ford played the hero card. Willow seems like a smart girl.” Drake shakes his head in disbelief.

“I’m sticking with brainwashing.” Sam echoes a theory he’s mentioned before.

“It’s up to us to save her. Call it our civic duty,” Drake responds.

“Joke all you want. Either of you make a move on my woman, I’ll end you.” Their razzing is all in fun, but my own possessive monster stirs.

“It’s amazing you guys can still call this the Casanova Club. I’m moving to rename it the Barbarian Barn.”

Major cracks a smile. “Like I said to Drake, find a woman and you’ll understand.”

“Any one of you boys want to explain to me how last night we were livin’ it up like redneck royalty and today we’re at a hen party watching a game of Baby Bingo?” Hotch, Rowan’s dad, rambles over to our group.

He’s not wrong. It was the moms’ idea to have Rowan and Harley’s showers on the same weekend.

Last night, we celebrated in style for Ford and Rowan. Ford’s mom, Celia, insisted on having the party catered with a full staff.

Hell, I threw in a couple hundred bucks to tip the crew for sticking around ‘til the end. Their insistence to stay likely had to do with Sayge’s presence, but who gives a shit. It was fucking nice not to have to wake up this morning to a house and yard to clean up.

“Redneck royalty doesn’t drop almost a grand on booze,” Ford counters his soon-to-be father-in-law.

“A grand? You didn’t spend a grand on liquor. How? The wine was donated. Major’s parents own the winery.”

“They invested in the winery,” Major corrects.

“Tomato, To-mah-to.”

“You’re welcome to go inside and watch television or take a nap.”

Hotch eyes Ford irritably. “Naps are for old people.”

“Tomato, To-mah-to.”

Ford’s rebuttal has everyone but Hotch chuckling. “Watch it, smartass. My daughter hasn’t walked down the aisle yet. There’s still time to back out.”

“If that happens, do we get the coffee maker back?”

Major slices his eyes to Drake. “You make six figures and you’re bitching about a coffee maker?”

“Sam and I paid a whack for that thing.”

“Not my doing. Rowan selected it, saying she wanted the best coffee for when her dad visited.” Ford’s brow rises, daring Hotch.

Hotch’s frustration dies on the spot and he scans over to the galley of women. “My girl’s always lookin’ out for me.” He glances back at Ford. “You seriously spent a grand on booze?”

“Entertaining this crowd comes with a price.”

“I’ll pitch in.”

“Not necessary, it’s covered.”

I’ve been around Hotch enough to know his scowl speaks for itself. This conversation isn’t over, but he’s done sparring in front of the group. He’ll find a way to contribute and there will be no argument.

“Another weekend of celebrations.” Gill, Jewls’ dad, joins us carrying Levi.

The other dads crowd in as well.

“I’m glad it’s a fucking celebration. Beats the alternative.”

My dad has the same mix of anger and concern he wore the weeks he was here after the abduction. “Although, I have a feeling we will be back soon enough for another wedding shower.”

I tip my chin in acknowledgement. “Let me get her through the licensing exam.”

“You’re shitting me. Again? Does this mean Drake and I need to get money ready?” Sam blows out a breath.

Drake and Sam may be pains in the ass, but they’re great fucking financial advisors. Ford, Ace, Major, and I chose to invest with them years ago, and they’ve made us a lot of money.

“If my son keeps dropping thirteen-hundred dollars on shoes, I’d say he’ll need funds.”

“You shitting me? Didn’t take you for a footwear fashionista.”

“Your mom honed in on them pretty damn quick. Hard to miss.”

“You dropped that kinda cash on a pair of shoes? I thought my brother was the only idiot in this group.” Sam steps out of reach right before Major can slap him.

If Sam knew the appreciation Willow showed Friday night, he’d know I’m not an idiot. He’d also understand why I’ll gladly spend that fucking money over and over. Instead, I answer his original question.

“We’ll talk soon about loosening up some money.”

“Fucking crazy.” The twins share a smirk.

“Willow know your plan?” Dad asks with a wide grin.

“Not yet.”

“You waiting until after the licensing exam on that, too?”

“Hell no. Not waiting until mid-June. These last two weeks have been shit for her and the timing wasn’t right.”

“Your mom and I agree she’s a smart girl. Better not wait too long.”

His implication doesn’t go unnoticed with the group. “She’s not going anywhere.”

“Something Dad and I should know?” Chase asks expectantly.

Common sense tells me I should talk to Willow first. But it won’t hurt to share my plans with her Dad and Chase. They may be the best allies when she flips out.

“I’m building a house.”

Chase’s eyes widen. “When?”

“I have a lot ready to go.

“You bought a lot to build a house and didn’t tell my sister? That’s highly presuming.”

I grin at his response. “Bought the lot when we moved here. It’s in this neighborhood.”

He scans Ace, Major, and Ford, giving a quick nod. “That makes sense. Not surprised you all bought together. But what about Willow?”

“Technically, the choice is hers. She wants something else, we’ll go a different direction.”

“Any reason you’re moving at the speed of light.”

“Not sure you’re one to lecture me on timing.”

He glowers. “My situation is different.”

“Touché. How about if I said I’d waited long enough?”

“Dad, you know about this?”

All attention goes to Sterling, who has been unusually quiet through the exchange. “Figured it was coming.”

“Didn’t hide my intentions,” I counter.

“No, but when my gorgeous, highly-intelligent, ambitious, and driven daughter hooks up with an inked-up muscle-head who’s way too cocky for his own good, I looked into you.” His description earns a laugh from the group. Even my dad seems amused.

“I could have saved you the time and money.”

He shrugs indifferently. “I fucked up once when it came to Willow, wasn’t willing to chance anything.”

“She’s taken care of.”

“Yeah, figured that out the night in the hospital.”

A loud shriek followed by a cry has all heads spinning to the patio deck.

“Here we go.” Without a beat, Ace is on the move.

Ford, Major, and I follow with less urgency. The girls warned us this may happen. Apparently, Jewls discovered Harley had been eyeing some kind of baby sleeper that is all the rage with new moms. Jay denied her interest because of the astronomical cost.

I offered to buy it outright, Ford and Major doing the same.

Tom beat us to it.

Shayla dug into her contacts and found one at wholesale price. She mentioned it at the bar one night, and he handed her his credit card and told her to ‘fucking buy that baby the damn sleeper.’

When we get to the party of women, Jay is leaned over an empty bassinet, running her fingers along the edge while crying. Her mom, Amanda, scoots her chair, giving Ace room to lift Harley into his arms. She sobs, mumbling about Tom being a big teddy bear.

He rolls his eyes but doesn’t say a word.

I tuck Willow to my side. “Isn’t that sweet?”

“Jay bawling her eyes out over a baby bed?”

She tilts her face to mine. “It’s the sentiment. It’s a Baby Snoo, not a bed.”

“Whatever.”

“With all your friends having babies, you should try to understand these things.”

“You having my baby, I’ll understand.”

Her green eyes glow at the comment, and a loud sigh pulls my attention to my mom. She’s bright with the glow of utter joy.

Willow’s face heats but she doesn’t back out of my hold. “Are you having fun?”

“Last night, we dined on prime rib and had a bar flowing with alcohol. Today, we’re fighting over fucking finger sandwiches and watching a bunch of women play bingo.”

“It is crazy how we went from a formal soiree to a backyard baby bash. And I’ll inform you those finger sandwiches are made from the prime rib, and the alcohol is still flowing. As soon as the presents are opened, we’ll pop the champagne.”

“That mean these women are staying all night?”

“Doubtful since some of us have to work tomorrow. And most of them have children at home, driving their dads crazy.”

“Good, I’m ready to end this weekend deep inside you.”

Her head swings around, her hair whipping across my face. “Your mom,” she hisses.

“She walked away. Probably to pop that champagne you mentioned in celebration of me having kids one day.”

Willow’s lips twitch before she burst into giggles. “Such a way with words.”

“You’ll get used to it.”

Her laughter grows louder and she faceplants into my chest.

“Seriously, Princess. Love seeing you having a good time, but I’m ready to have you to myself.”

“Addie and Carson have plans for us tonight,” she mumbles into my shirt.

“Of course they do.” Ford’s sisters have been vocal about wanting to discuss their ideas for a bachelorette party. “I’ll be glad when these people leave tomorrow.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch movement by the back gate. Robbie, Finn, and Max all jerk their chins and disappear around the corner of the house.

The hair on the back of my neck stands, my skin prickling.

Finn and Robbie are supposed to be watching their kids since their wives are here.

Max is scheduled to fly out tonight.

“Gonna go check on the dogs.” I walk her back to my mom and head inside through the house.

Not surprising, Ford and Major are on my tail.

The three guys are on the front porch.

Their faces are etched in stone, jaws hard, eyes burning, and muscles ticking.

Max is in the center of the trio, standing firm. His arms crossed, feet planted, chest barely moving.

Stoic.

Alert.

Brimming with adrenaline.

This isn’t a casual visit with friends.

These are not the men standing around last night throwing back top-shelf bourbon.

This isn’t a talk about Rylee Richards or her antics toward Willow.

This is a visit from three Marines.

Marines who have a mission.

“Talk,” I demand, my own training taking over.

“I’ve been called in.” Max slices his eyes side-to-side at his friends. “And we may need help.”