“Thanks, Monty, I hope you’re right. Oh, and before I forget, I have a favor to ask you.”
“No,” he says curtly before even allowing me to explain.
“But you don’t even know what I was going to ask.”
“Okay, ask.”
“So Raven?—”
“No.”
I huff out in frustration. “Montgomery Bishop, will you just listen?”
“Whatever it is, the answer is no.” This grumpy bastard is so stubborn sometimes.
“But I haven’t even…” I stutter, my frustration bubbling because of his stubborn attitude.
“Precisely,” he says, with a smug glint in his eye. “Saves us both time.”
I’m annoyed at his indifference when I’m clearly in need of his help, when I realize Raven mentioned she thought Monty doesn’t like her. Then, I recall Billie’s response, but I’d rather not think about that. “Why, because it’s about Raven?” I ask, noticing how his expression immediately transforms. “What is it with you and her anyway?”
“Nothing is up with her and me,” he lets out rather harshly. “She’s a child. I don't feel the need to have to know anything about her.”
“She’s not a child. She’s twenty-one, a friend of mine, and she needs a place to stay.”
“Fuck, no.”
Before I can continue to badger him, the front door opens and in steps Indigo, grinning as she takes in the chaos. “Looks like you’ve been busy.”
My brothers freeze while Nash and Bailey choose this exact moment to come down the stairs and rejoin us.
Indigo’s changed into a pair of white jeans paired with a light pink sweater that fits off her shoulders. Her curly blonde hair is scrunched to perfection, and her makeup looks almost professionally done. She knew exactly what she was doing in showing up here looking like that.
“You must be Indy?” Monty asks, his voice sharp enough to cut glass as he stands.
Indy licks her lips, her gaze trailing over him with obvious interest and enjoyment. “And you, my darling, must be Montgomery Bishop. Monroe’s oldest brother and the cowboy of every woman’s wildest dreams. Or so I’ve heard.” She lets out a nauseating giggle.
Monty scoffs, and I’m surprised her comments don’t at all rile him up. “Sounds like you’ve been busy around town, Ms. Harper.”
“Oh, I’ve heard plenty in such little time. I don’t always like to believe what I hear. I prefer to find things out myself.” I’m appalled by her incessant flirting like it’s the most normal thing in the world. First with Jase and now with my brother. This woman knows no bounds and apparently can’t take a hint about where she’s not welcome.
“That’s funny,” Beau says, approaching her, screwdriver still in hand. I know he’s trying his best to seem intimidating, but as Indy’s gaze travels to him, a new hunger appears in her eyes. “We’ve heard nothing good about you.”
She shrugs, but there’s a flicker of something in her eyes. Amusement maybe, or a challenge. “I could tell you a few things myself, or you can always find out.”
Beau ignores her, not falling into her trap, so she resigns, getting back to why she showed up.
Her eyes wander toward where Jase stands, a few feet away from all of us. “Your mama saw that your cars were in the driveway, not to mention Jake and the guys told her you arrived a few hours ago. She sent me over, hoping maybe you’d drop in to see her.”
“So she sent you thinking that was going to convince us,” Bailey mocks. Nash’s arm is tight around her waist, his chest to her back in a show of his protective nature.
Indigo's smile widens when she senses how uncomfortable she’s made everyone. “I’m just relaying the message. Don’t shoot the messenger and all that. It was lovely to meet you, boys. Jase,” she says, before turning and walking out. Her hips sway exaggeratedly as she disappears, the door slamming shut behind her thanks to Beau.
My brother's angry eyes find Jase. “What the fuck is she doing here? And better yet, why is she bringing messages from your mom?”
I sit up straighter, though I don’t have the energy to stand. My feet are swollen, and even though I’m only four months into my pregnancy, I’m rarely ever off them.
“Indigo’s staying at the main house while she finds an apartment in town.” I can hear their responses before they speak.
