Apparently, my protective tendencies for Clover transfer to her friends as well.
“Yes, Dad,” Chase shoots back, but he’s smiling—I can sense his gratingly handsome but smug face.
Roman pulls into the old train station and puts the vehicle in park, then stares out of the windshield for a long moment. It’s asif he’s seeing this place with new eyes too, and if I didn’t know better, I’d think small-town energy made him nervous.
Perhaps it’s just this small town that gives him pause.
Before we can even exit the minibus, the front door of the Chug flies open and a tiny blond woman comes barreling out, followed by two other people.
“Clover!” Madi’s crying before she even reaches the car. Behind her, I spot Greyson pushing Savvy in a wheelchair.
Roman barely gets my door open before Clover’s yanked out, over my lap, and sandwiched into a group hug so fierce I’m concerned for her ribs—especially considering the way they twist to incorporate Savvy into the mix.
“Can’t. Breathe,” Clover gasps through a laugh. “Guys. I can’t breathe.”
“Too bad,” Savvy says from her wheelchair. “You scared us half to death. You don’t get to breathe yet.”
“Grey, tell them,” Clover pleads.
Grey stands stoically behind Savvy, shaking his head and glaring poison-tipped darts my way. “You brought this on yourself, Clove. They were worried sick.”
I want to punch the guy because like hell Clover created any of this mess. I climb out of the minibus, and immediately all heads swivel my way.
Good. Let me take the heat. Better than Clover doing it.
The group hug doesn’t break apart. They just stare as Grant, Sterling, Chase, Roman, and Chief form a semi-circle around us, looking completely out of place.
“Hi,” I say, sounding like a fifteen-year-old picking up a date whose father is busy cleaning a shotgun in front of me.
Greyson Reyes does not scare me. But these women? Yeah, they’re scary as hell.
“Dear Lord,” Madi breathes. “Clover, you brought the entire Harrington brotherhood to my doorstep?”
“Yup,” Clover says with a smile in her voice. I wish she’d shine it my way. “Guys, you remember Madi. You already know Grey and Savvy. And Elle—she’s our resident interior designer. She’s married to the biggest, funniest Irishman you’ll ever meet.”
“Valen,” Madi says with a shrewdness to her tone that sets my teeth on edge. “For your balls’ sake, I hope you’ve been keeping our girl safe.”
“Trying to,” I say honestly. Still, I stagger one foot in front of the other and push my hips back, away from her, just in case.
“Trying?” Savvy’s eyebrow twitches. “If there’s so much as a scratch?—”
“Savvy,” Clover warns. “Be nice.”
“I am being nice. This is me being nice,” Savvy scoffs. “If I wasn’t being nice, I’d already have Greyson running a full background check.” She pauses. “Well, I did do that. You’re clean, by the way.” She narrows her eyes. “Suspiciously clean for someone who supposedly spent his childhood in a cult.”
“Savvy!” Clover looks mortified. “I was raised in a cult too, and I don’t have a record, for crying out loud.”
I bite back a smile. Clover can defend my honor any day of the fucking week. “I was only cultish in the summers and some holidays. My aunt made sure my record stayed clean the rest of the time.”
“Yes, your aunt. Vivian Harrington,” Savvy continues as my cousins all stand a little taller. “Billionaire banker, philanthropist, and your guardian. See? I’ve done some digging since you were all here last. Interesting family you have.” Her gaze assesses each of my cousins and I love seeing them squirm.
“Harrington Bank and Trust.” Grant locks his jaw as she ticks our family businesses off with her fingers. “Ton Spirits and Brewery.” Chase flashes a wicked grin. “CEO of a very secretive club.” Sterling has the good sense to duck his head. “And a wholechain of preschools, athletic centers, and amusement parks.” Roman clenches his fists. “That’s quite the family collection in addition to Styx and Stone Security.”
“We didn’t choose which company we inherited,” Roman grumbles.
“Uh-huh.” Her gaze misses nothing. Not even the way Roman’s left eye flutters when he’s annoyed.
“You’re terrifying,” I tell her honestly. “I respect that.”
