“That’s a bit possessive,” she whispers.
“Maybe. Later, angel.” I kiss her forehead and leave her with a smug look on my face. I look at Finn, still hanging ornaments on a tree. He finds my eyes, almost like he’s trying to find an answer. I don’t say anything. I head out the door, but it isn’t long before small feet trail behind me.
“Grumpy!” his yell echoes in the staircase towards the parking lot.
“What’s up kid?” I say, deadpan. He rushes in front of me, blocking my path.
He stands his ground. “Don’t break her fucking heart.”
I jolt back, and scowl at him, “Hey, language.”
“You heard me.” His eyes narrow, attempting to stand his ground.
I kneel down, the kid is half my height, and clasp his shoulder. The same green eyes that can get the attention of many people, his strength and ambition is the same as Charlotte’s. “Kid, I’m trying not to.”
His forehead furrows, a temper rising. “Try harder.”
“I promise, kid, her heart, her soul is the last thing I want to break.”
“She deserves someone.”
I laugh, “What do you know about love?” He’s too young, at least to fully understand.
A small smirk comes through, “I wasn’t talking about love. I was talking about how she should have someone other than me care for her and be by her side. You’re the one that said love.” Sneaky ass kid. “She’s picky.” Fuck, that’s one way of saying it. “But she knows what she wants. And if you are going to be around her, you just have to be careful.”
“You’re only 10, how the hell are you wiser than most adults?” I stand up, crossing my arms.
He shrugs, “Because my IQ is higher than yours. Most adults don’t think kids are listening or learning. We are.”
“I’ll do my best.” I extend out a hand for peace.
He looks at me, debating on whether I’m lying or not. He extends his and grips my hand. He walks away in silence, but not before he turns and says, “I’d still watch your back.”
Crazy like his aunt, but he’s a good kid.
Chapter 19
Keola
“Letmegetthisstraight, you’re going on a date with her because she owes you a favor and in return you are scoping out the house and then what?” Jackson slams down a beer glass.
I had stopped by the clubhouse to debrief the board the night before and had come back to grab a couple of things from Joaquin.
“Sounds like he wants to get lucky tonight,” Memphis chimes in from the couch looking over a map of the ship yard.
“I got condoms in the med room if you need them.” D.R announces.
I roll my eyes, “Shouldn’t you save them for someone else? Huh, Doc?” I taunt with the nickname that Tessa gave him, he’s stuck with it just like Sparky.
D.R turns his attention to me, “I don’t need them.” Dipshit being ominous.
“I said I’d help her. She brought up a fucking point when she said if I didn’t come along, she’d do it herself.” I glance in the bar mirrors, smoothing over my hair.
My plan is to take her on the bike to a small Christmas farm, and then come back to get the truck and head over to Cedric’s house.
“Women,” Jackson scoffs.
“Says the man that is attached to the woman that started it all and wanted to put a ring on it.”
