“Yeah, and he isn’t really my friend, either. But he is part of our extended family. You and Tricky will need to coexist.”
Zodiac didn’t even pretend to agree. He glared across the lake at a man he would never trust.
Ford joined us at the back windows. “What’s happening?”
“Zodiac is worried Tricky might mess with his kid.”
“No, Tricky is fond of his balls. He knows what would happen if he messed with my grandkids.”
Ford said his threat with such warmth that even Zodiac stopped glaring long enough to frown at him. Sutter grinned at his grandfather, who mimicked the gesture.
“Club shit stays outside the community,” Ford explained to Zodiac. “That’s why Amanda gave Tricky such a hard time about that crap he pulled with Lula and Exile. Fighting in town is one thing. Here, with our families around, everyone knows to behave. Tricky just needed a little reminder from his very pissed mama. It’s all good now.”
Sutter followed Ford outside, where they talked about the warm day and the science behind seasonal weather patterns. Zodiac gave their conversation a little scowl before turning his gaze to me.
“Don’t cry, sweetpea,” I murmured. “My home is a safe space.”
“Fucking hilarious,” he snarled, making me laugh.
Zodiac chuckled at my amusement and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
“If Tricky ever hurt the baby or you, I wouldn’t care about alliances or extended family. I’d hurt him in a way no man could survive.”
“Swoon,” I said and wrapped my arms around his waist. “Of course, if he hurt the baby or me, you’d need to get in line to fuck up Tricky.”
Despite nodding, Zodiac couldn’t quite settle down. I sensed he wasn’t even that worried about Tricky. Zodiac required something to keep him tense at all times. If he lowered his guard, he might let someone too close.
ZODIAC
The Reed family was constantly together. Pax showed up for a few minutes after lunch. Rowdy and Vanessa were in and out of the house all afternoon. Clint and Ivy joined us for dinner, which was apparently a regular thing.
Keeping to myself, I spoke only when spoken to, like I did back in my foster homes. Ford made occasional small talk, but he was mostly interested in fondling his wife once Shay arrived home from work.
After dinner, Clint joined me on the deck. I felt him thinking about how much to pry into my relationship with his sister.
Finally, he said, “Rock has rounded up a few strangers hanging around town over the last few months, but Little Memphis remains quiet. Do you think we can keep it that way until the baby is born?”
“Are you asking if my snitch has given us any information?”
“No, I figured you’d have mentioned if he had. I’m asking what your gut is telling you.”
Exhaling deeply, I glanced at the house and muttered, “I think Elle needs to hide here to be safe.”
“That likely won’t happen. She has her job and likes to drive Sutter everywhere. Hiding at home doesn’t feel like an option.”
“You don’t seem to have control over your people.”
Clint smirked at my accusation and reminded me, “Your VP took off without telling you so he could woo my cousin. Let’s not pretend you have better control over your people.”
Shrugging, I grumbled, “I would have agreed with his decision to ride up here. I’m a sucker for stupid romance. You should be, too, and help me cage your sister into a safe box.”
Clint’s blue eyes flashed back toward his woman, Ivy, who spoke with Sutter.
“Elle grew up in this life and heard stories about how close our people came to dying. She still wanted to ride with me. She likes to go wild with the foxes. She enjoys protecting the women and kids at our safehouses. This is the life she has chosen, and I won’t interfere with that.”
“Aren’t you protective of her at all?”
“Sure, I tried to keep her away fromyou,” Clint spat out, revealing his temper. “Somehow, she managed to hook up with you in a bar full of our people. Putting Elle in a box doesn’t work. Even if it did, I don’t know if she’d be Elle anymore.”
