I shouldn’t be surprised. My brothers are some of the nosiest people I’ve ever met. As much as they loved making fun of me when I was a teenager about gossiping with Tallulah, they have spent a lot of time trying to uncover things about my life.
The only good thing about them being overprotective was that if a guy was going to get scared away by my brothers, then hewasn’t ever going to be the guy for me. Briggs is solid as he stands at my side.
“Let me say it again,” his voice carries through the room, and everyone’s eyes are on him, “this is Addyson.”
I notice the redhead from last night sulking in a corner. The death glare she’s sending me is pretty clear, but I’m not worried about her.
If Mayhem was doing more than showering me with pretty words last night, he won’t touch her. If he does, I’m done. It’s just that simple as far as I’m concerned.
“She’s here for our protection,” his words feel unfinished, but what he’s said isn’t technically wrong.
It just feels that way.
“You will treat Addyson with respect. You will keep your hands off her.”
Men in leather grunt and nod as they study me. “You good with a few introductions?”
I glance around before looking up into Briggs’s crystal blue eyes. “Will there be food involved?”
One side of his mouth tips up in a sinful smirk. “Of course.”
I relax against his side, letting him take more of my weight. “Then I’m good. I haven’t had much of an appetite.”
He nods as his jaw ticks and his eyes flash with anger. I don’t think he’s angry at me though. If I were Geoffrey Wagner, I’d be a little concerned. The dirty cop probably won’t be though; he’s gotten away with doing whatever he wants without consequences for a while.
Briggs leads me over to a table and when we get closer, I do recognize Rampage and Anchor even though last night was kind of a blur. Hell, the last three days have been a blur. I’ll be perfectly happy to get off this rollercoaster.
Anytime now would be great.
Rampage grins at me from ear to ear and I’m a little worried he’s going to drop to his knees again. His voice is bold and carries, “Good morning, Addy. How did you sleep?”
“Good,” I tell him even though it does little to convey the depth of how well I ended up sleeping. “Thank you.”
The look Briggs gives Rampage should have that smile dropping from his face. It doesn’t. If anything, it grows wider. I might be more curious about the whole thing if I wasn’t starving.
When Mayhem guides me to a chair at the head of the table, everyone sucks in a breath. I glance up at the man, but he looks like a proud fucking peacock with his chest puffed up. My stomach grumbles and I’m so grateful that my appetite returned that I just can’t find it in me to be embarrassed.
Mayhem points around the table with each name he fires off, “You met Rampage and Anchor last night.” I nod and smile softly. “I want to feed you, so this is going to be quick, Tempest.”
I look at the faces of the other men around the table along with one woman who has the same blue eyes as Briggs. Meeting his parents right now would be the cherry on top of this awkward and strange sundae. It’s not like I can stop this train now. I’m on it until the last stop.
When I nod, he points with every name and position he says. “Reaper; Secretary. Cash; Treasurer. Doc; medic. Road Rage; Road Captain.” Then he points to an older gentleman whosejawline looks familiar. “Battle is the former president and my father. His Old Lady and my mom, Tonya.”
The smile on my face feels wobbly as I make eye contact with Battle and Tonya. “It’s nice to meet all of you.” The words come out a lot steadier than I was expecting.
“Ripper and Duckie are out doing the President’s bidding,” Rampage leans toward me from his seat across the table, the plate of food in front of him completely forgotten. I eye it, more than a little jealous because it looks delicious.
I nod absently as Briggs kisses my temple. “I’ll grab you a plate.” When I smile up at him, his blue eyes sparkle with something far sweeter than attraction. Whatever it is feels too big for first thing in the morning. He prompts me, “Coffee?”
“Yes, please,” my manners are still strong, even here. “And I really like more sugar and flavoring in my coffee than coffee.”
“Me too,” Tonya pipes up as the men around the table grimace.
When I look over at her, she winks at me before she watches her son with unbridled curiosity. Even she looks surprised at the way he’s treating me. I’m not sure what it means yet, but it’s interesting.
Briggs chuckles before giving my shoulder a squeeze and sauntering over to the kitchen side of the room. I watch him go for a moment, but it’s not really my fault. The way the man fills out a pair of jeans should be illegal. Honestly.
It’s simply not fair.
