Linzie’s shoulders sag, but she pastes on a fake smile and agrees. “All right, but just a little while more. I really do have an early morning tomorrow.”
“Linzie. Why don’t you and I go have ourselves a little chat before Everly gets back from…” Right on cue, Kaylie comes barreling out of the bathroom and plows into my legs.
“Mr. Gabe!” Kaylie squeals. “Will you give me a ride on your shoulders? Pleeease?” She begs, and she’s the cutest damn thing with her hair up in pigtails and her little ribbons on top. How could I tell her no?
“Sorry.” Everly mouths. I wave her off and pick Kaylie up, swinging her over my shoulders. I catch Linzie smiling at the two of us.
“Don’t leave here without telling me,” I demand. Linzie narrows her eyes.
“You’re not my keeper, Gabriel. Go play with the children. You seem to fit right in with them. The women are discussingwomen’s business.” It’s my turn to narrow my eyes.
“I hope your ass can cash those checks your mouth’s been writing, baby.” She rolls her eyes, ignoring my warning.
“Mr. Gaaaabe!” Kaylie draws my name out. “Let’s go! I want to go see everyone from way up here.”
“All right, sweetheart. Hold on. We’re going.” I take Kaylie on a ride through the clubhouse, and all the guys make a big show, teasing her about how tall she’s grown and ignoring my existence altogether. She’s eating up the attention and giggling her little heart out. It’s a great sound. One I hope fills this clubhouse soon. With all my guys finding their women and settling down, it’s bound to happen soon enough.
“Mason!” Kaylie squeals. “Look how tall I am!”
Mason smiles, wiping the inside of a glass behind the bar with a rag. “Wow. You weren’t but this tall a few minutes ago when you went to the restroom.” He places his hands on his hips and asks, “Have you been eating your vegetables?” I can see Kaylie’s face in the mirror behind the bar, all scrunched up in disgust.
She shakes her head fiercely and yells, “Noooo. Veg-tedables are gross, Mason! Bleck!”
I swing her down off my shoulders and onto the bar stool, taking the seat beside her. Mason hands her a juice box with the straw already punched through for her. “Kaylie, why do you call him Mason and me Mr. Gabe?” It doesn’t really bother me, but I find it interesting all the same since she calls all of us Mister, except him.
She takes a sip from her straw, then answers, “Because you’re a grownup and Mason is my friend. Right, Mason?”
Mason’s face lights up. “The bestest of friends,” he says, and Kaylie’s face matches his as she nods her head emphatically.
“I see. So, Mason is a child, like you then. Is that what you’re telling me?”
“No.” Kailey giggles. “Mason is Ever’s best friend, which makes him my best friend because he’s always coming over and helping us. And he brings us lunch and snacks and builds my toys. You don’t do any of those things. You have a job and sponsibilities.”
I bark out a laugh. “You’re cute, kid. I’m glad to know Mason’s been looking out for you and Everly. A man ought to take care of his woman.” I raise both brows, daring Mason to dispute the idea. Instead, he nods.
“Damn straight, Pres. Kings take care of their own.” He looks me square in the eye as he says it, so I push a step further.
“And is sheyoursor just under the Kings’ protection?” I lean back with my arms crossed over my chest.
“A man doesn’t make his claim lightly, Pres. But the woman has to accept it before it can be announced.” Translation—he wants her, and she’s resisting.
Sounds familiar.
“Yeah, I think it’s in the water these women are drinkin’,” I tease. Mason laughs. Kaylie denounces water with the same disgusted face the vegetables earned before.
When I turn back to findmy woman,she’s nowhere to be seen. Declan catches my eye across the room and gives me a questioning look. I mouth, “Where’s Linzie?” and his response is to point at the door.
I make my way out to the yard and scan the lot for her car, noticing too late that those are her taillights passing the gate.
Shit.
I could go after her. Follow her home and put an end to all this bullshit, but I think better of it and decide I’ll giveher another day or so to get her shit worked out in her head. But that’s all I’m giving her. If she hasn’t come around by the wedding, I’m going to tie her ass to my bed until she does.
Reentering the clubhouse, I pass through the room without a word to anyone else. I’m pissed off and in need of whiskey and silence. I storm down the hall and into my office, and there on my desk is a two-foot Christmas tree covered in butt plugs of all shapes, colors, and sizes. And is that … anal beads wrapped around it like garland?
Who the fuck?
I move around my desk and find the card, expecting it to be from Hawk or Sadie. I’m shocked when I read the hand-printed message.
