Not a small one.
Not polite.
A full, bone-rattling, get-the-hell-out-of-my-house roar.
The kind that shakes the walls.
The kind that makes it very clear—you are not welcome.
They scatter.
Fast.
Mother first, outraged and sputtering.
Judd is standing right outside. He looks confused. Affronted even.
I can see him through the door, dusting himself off—fucking moron.
He is saying something to her mother. And I don’t care what it is as long as they leave.
The sisters follow—one dragging the other who’s still trying to sneak one last look.
The door slams.
Silence falls.
And just like that?
They’re gone.
I stand there for a second, breathing hard, my Tiger still humming under my skin.
Behind me—Hadley giggles.
Actually, giggles.
I glance back over my shoulder.
She’s wrapped in that blanket, pressed against me, eyes bright and amused like none of that just happened.
“Are you okay?” I ask, turning toward her.
“Mm-hmm,” she says, biting her lip to hold back another laugh. “So, is this all part of your grand plan to win my heart, Stripes?”
I arch a brow.
“Growl at people who bother you and scare them off?”
“Yeah,” she says, grinning. “Very caveman chic.”
I step closer, reaching for her, pulling her back against me.
“Is it working?” I murmur.
She tilts her head, pretending to think about it.
Then her gaze softens.
