“Yeah,” we all seemed to mutter at once.
“And you married her!” Dexter shoved me.
“Yeah,” I said, a slow smile coming to my face. The pride in my voice was unmistakable.
Dexter wedged himself between Mitch and me, leaning back on the Chevy. “Is it true what everyone’s saying? Your brother stole Brandon Stone’s girl?”
“Juliette. She’s a teacher at the high school,” Wesley informed the group. “She went to school with my little sister, Marge. Scarlett and Violet too.”
I shrugged, noncommittal. I had no idea what Romeo would do. I only hoped that he’d be smart about it.
“The sheriff is none too happy,” Dexter said, taking a pull of his beer. “Wouldn’t be surprised if he stopped you on the way out.”
The sheriff and I had a tumultuous past. Romeo “stealing” Brandon Stone’s woman was not going to be taken lightly or overlooked. Which was why I hoped Romeo played it even smarter. Brandon Stone was the sheriff’s nephew.
Stone would have him locked up with Luca faster than Romeo could say the wordincriminatewithout an Italian accent.
“I’ll call him,” Everett said. “He won’t trouble you any.”
Whatever my father-in-law had on the sheriff, I wanted to know. He was the only man Stone ever took a step back from.
Colt called me over, about to point out something under the hood. Even with my head down low, I knew at once that Scarlett had come out. The men became quiet, except for Lawson, who whistled low.
“Damn, Brando,” Lawson said. “You were always a lucky bastard. But.Damn.”
“Good Lawd!” Connor shook his head, like a wet dog, his jowls flapping. “That girl grew up just fine. She must’ve drunk gallons and gallons of milk. We all know how it can do a body good.”
“Watch it, boys,” Everett said. “That’s my little girl.”
“And let’s not forget her husband, who is not only a lucky son of a bitch, but acrazyson of a bitch,” Mitch said.
I leaned back, looking down the row of men, hearing her heels crunch in the dead leaves. Her scent reached me before she did.
My wife was exotic, so fucking erotic.
She was head to toe in all black, every one of her curves on display in tight jeans that were frayed here and there. Her sweater clung to her breasts and showed off her small waist, her (my) leather jacket on her shoulders.
“Hey, Stallion,” she said, her tone playful. “Bob is about to bring our bags out. Issheready to go?” She tapped the car. When I didn’t answer, she narrowed her eyes. “Areyouready to go?”
“With you.”
“Who else?”
I smiled again. She tilted her head, eyes narrowed to almost slits. I took her by the jacket, shoving her against the car, taking her mouth for my own.
“Brando,” she barely got out. She aimed a subtle nod toward Everett. “Mydad,” she whispered.
I laughed against her mouth. “Payback.”
She laughed too. “Are you ready ornot? You set the time, remember?”
“Areyouready, baby?”
“Smart ass.” She pushed, but I kept her solid against me. “If you’re driving, you know I’m ready.”
“That’s what I wanted to hear.” My voice was low, almost hoarse.
She sighed, and I wondered if we would make it as far as the town where we had reservations to spend the night. The Chevy had a decent backseat.
