Axel gave him a subtle nod.
J.T. rolled his eyes. “Yes, yes, Mike. Go on. I’ll protect fragile Del from danger while you’re away.”
Mike growled but left.
“Don’t mess with him, J.T.,” Del scolded. “He’s going to worry until the baby comes. Let him.”
Axel had no idea why Mike might think Del so fragile. For one thing, he’d never met a tougher woman. And secondly, women seemed to be strongest when defending their kids. At least, his mother had been when shielding him and his brother from his dickhead father. But protecting herself, now, that was another story.
Perhaps Mike worried for another reason. “Are you sick?” he asked Del.
“Huh? Sick? No. Do Ilooksick?” A lot of challenge in that question. “I’m going to have a baby, not the plague.”
“Then why does he think you need so much help? Pregnancy is a natural part of life.”
“Exactly.” Del gave him a huge smile, one that made him wary. “For once, Heller, you make a lot of sense.”
“I always make sense.” He frowned.
Del’s smile grew. “Whatever you say. But let’s not get sidetracked. What my idiot brother—”
J.T. glared. “Hey.”
“—is trying to tell you is that my cousin is done waiting on your ass. Either ask Rena out or I’ll set her up with a guy. I’m a McCauley now. My new family knows all the nice, respectable people in this city. I can find her a date in seconds.” She snapped her fingers.
“Who’ll bore her to tears,” J.T. added under his breath.
“Hey, boring is better than hurting. Any guy would be lucky to date Rena. She’s sweet and funny. And she deserves hearts and flowers and her stupid HEA.” To J.T. she said, “That stands forhappily ever after. Abby told me.”
“Who’s Abby?” Axel asked absently, watching Rena hold court with all the degenerates like a queen. Hell, Del was right.
“Abby’s my sister-in-law, who happens to be a romance writer. Rena thinks she walks on water.” Del shook her head. “Rena, the woman you can’t stop staring at, is addicted to those love books.”
Axel glanced at J.T., who nodded. “Sorry, man. It’s true. My cousin wants romance.”
Axel cringed. “Romance?”
Del sighed. “Romance. And if you’re not quick about it, you’re going to miss out on one amazing person. For some reason, she seems to like you. Even if she doesn’t like you much right now. So try not to fuck it up. Go ask her out already.” She rubbed her belly just as Mike returned.
His eyes widened. “Are you okay? Should we go?” Then he turned a surprisingly mean glare Axel’s way. “What did you say to her?”
Axel just stared in surprise. Mike sounded halfway tough. Shocking that the family man had a rough side. Though maybe not so shocking, since the poor bastard had married Del, after all.
Del swore. “Mike, stop. I’m fine. The baby kicked is all.” She shot Axel a sly glance. “I think she likes Axel’s voice. It’s deep and sexy.”
Axel watched Del with caution. “Maybe youaresick. In the head.”
Mike seemed to relax. Del laughed and dragged him with her to Rena and a bunch of other McCauleys who’d just arrived.
J.T. chuckled. “My sister’s a pain, but she’s right. I know you don’t want to mess up your chances with my cousin, but by doing nothing, you’re already screwing up. Make a move or leave. But quit hanging in limbo, my man. Now, I’ve got a hot blond to seduce. You’re on your own.”
It wasn’t as if Axel hadaskedeither Del or J.T. for help, though he secretly appreciated the advice.
Great. Rena wanted to find a man. He was the perfect man for her. He just had to get her away from everyone and let her know they should date, marry, and have a bunch ofkinder.
He took two steps and bumped into a guy he’d never seen at Ray’s before.
“What the fuck you lookin’ at?” the man asked, unfortunately sounding sober. He had beady eyes and large hands and came to Axel’s chest. Behind him stood two men who’d fastened their gazes on Axel as well. His friends, maybe.
