“Coffee would be great.”
I approach the bar nonchalantly as if it’s totally normal to bring a complete stranger into the clubhouse. Rapping on the wood, I’m not surprised when Dee, or is it Dum? pops his head up. I notice he’s wearing a t-shirt withGravediggers Dig Their Jobemblazoned on the front.
“What can I getcha?”
“Beer, coffee, and a soda for Ace.” I place the order.
“Coming right up.”
Toni appears behind me and starts fumbling in her purse, I place my hand over hers, unintentionally noticing how soft her skin is to the touch. “Your money’s no good here. Bar’s on the house.”
“And who’s this?” Of course, it has to be Rattler who asks, his words offered with a leering look that suggests he’s mentally undressing her.
“This is Antoinette, Ace’s aunt,” I snarl, my glare willing him to behave himself. To her, I add, “This is Rattler, our resident pain in the ass.”
“Hey, I resemble that remark. Pleased to meet ya.” He holds out his fucking hand.
She takes it, and the sides of her mouth turn up as she returns his firm grasp. “Likewise. And please, call me Toni.”
I want to knock his fucking hand away. How dare he touch her. Then I feel the need to slap myself around the head. What the fuck am I thinking? She’s nothing to me. She can touch whom she likes.
“I’m Stalker.” At least someone sensible is addressing her. Sensible enough, unless he decides to show off his prowess, which he’s prone to do by swinging around the fucking pole that’s been installed in the clubhouse. He’s got no shame, and often shows he’s got better moves than the club whores.
“Paint.” The last brother introduces himself. He’s also eyeing her with undisguised interest.
Then the door to the kitchen opens, and stepping out, carrying the coffee Toni had ordered, is Pippa. Thank fucking God.
CHAPTER SIX
FREAK
I’ve never been so relieved to see anyone in my life. Although I’d had my suspicions about the ex-Secret Service agent when she’d arrived here, she’d begrudgingly earned my respect due to her concern about Ace and her desire to teach him how to exercise his skills yet stay safe. She’d gone from the number one person on my hit list to someone I could appreciate. And right now, her background and experience will surely serve to help me out.
Especially as I’m doubting myself. Toni’s interacting with my brothers, and far from running when she saw the interior of our clubhouse, she’s relaxed. And here I am, getting fucking jealous, seeing admiring looks pointed her way.
It must be some leftover reaction from when I regarded Josie as mine. If I claim someone, I don’t share. My brain must be fucked and I’m mixing the two twins up, because I’ve only known Toni a few hours, yet here I am, feeling possessive about her.
It took less time to get hooked by her sister.Only minutes, and I knew I wanted her in my bed. To be honest, if Tonishowed any inclination, I doubt I’d hesitate to get her horizontal. Perhaps they give off a unique pheromone, some kind of natural aphrodisiac?
Pippa’s carrying the coffee cup while wearing a sling holding her baby daughter. She passes the drink to Toni.
Toni takes it, but gives a delighted gasp as she leans forward. “Oh, he’s, she’s, so tiny. How old?”
Not a sign of the Secret Service agent is in sight when Pippa visibly melts. “Jade is not quite a month old.”
“She’s so cute,” Toni gushes.
“She is when she’s asleep,” Pippa retorts, but her softened features belie her tone. “She’s quiet when she’s feeding, or when she’s being held. But put her down for a moment, and the whole world knows about it.”
“Fuckin’ word.” Rattler snorts.
Pippa shoves him so hard he’d have fallen off his stool if he hadn’t caught hold of the bar at the last moment. Then, as calmly as if she hadn’t just pulled off one of her ninja moves, she introduces herself. “I’m Pippa. I’m married to Saint.”
Recovering from her obvious shock at how the other woman had handled Rat, Toni reciprocates, “Toni. I’m Ace’s aunt.”
Pippa’s eyes widen, and she acts as if she hadn’t spent an hour investigating her. “No way. I didn’t know he had any relatives. Are you an aunt on Freak’s side, or…”
“Ace’s mom was my twin sister.” She sighs, and then obviously decides Pippa’s someone she can confide in. “Our parents had a bad divorce when we were just a few months old. Dad took me, Mom took Josie. I never even knew I had a sister until my dad was on his deathbed and admitted everything. I went searching for her, only to find she had died. I did a DNA test to see if I could find any other relations.” She turns to smile at my son. “I found Ace.” She shrugs. “So here I am.”
