Page 88 of Talk Wicked to Me

Reese and Leah exchanged a glance she couldn’t read.

“What?” she asked a little nervously.

“They didn’t interrogate you because Evie had your back before you got there,” Reese said.

Emerson couldn’t hide her surprise or her nervousness. “What do you mean?”

“Word had gotten around about Baz delivering Brennan and how much time he was spending with you guys. We were all curious about what was going on. We were excited for Baz and for you, even though we didn’t know you yet. Our guys had met you, and they told us how great you were. But Evie said she thought Baz was crazy about you, and she didn’t want anything to ruin his chances of being with you,” Reese explained.

That was something Gwen would have done for her. Emerson thought about that night and remembered what Evie had said. I hope you’re not holding back because of me. The girl code is a given here.

“Wicked men don’t fall easily, and when they do, like Steph said, they never look back,” Leah said. “Like the rest of their family, they suck you in and make you feel like you’re their entire world. And you know on one level you are, but on another level you know they’d step in front of a speeding train to save a stranger. You can’t help but fall in love with them. Evie’s the same way. She’s been Baz’s best friend forever. She’s protective of him, and that means she’s protective of you, too.”

“She stepped in front of that speeding train to keep you from getting hit,” Reese reiterated.

Emerson looked at Evie across the yard, where she was talking with Quinton and another guy, and felt a new type of kinship with her. Knowing she cared enough about Baz to protect him from losing her made her glad she’d kept Evie’s secret. “I don’t know what to say. That was really nice of her. But you don’t have to worry about me tonight. I’ll be fine.”

“You’re not intimidated by the idea of sitting with all the guys around one table?” Leah asked.

“No. It was overwhelming when they showed up out of the blue to put up my fence, but that was just because I didn’t know who they were, and a couple of them looked like they crushed skulls for fun.”

“That would be Tank and Blaine when they use their serious faces,” Leah said.

“I didn’t want to call them out by name,” Emerson said. “But I know them now, and I’m no longer fresh out of the maternity ward or so exhausted I can’t see straight. Don’t forget, I’m a New Yorker. I can handle these boys.”

A thick, familiar arm slid around her waist from behind, and Baz kissed her cheek. “What boys are you handling, darlin’?”

“Several hot, tattooed bikers.” She turned in his arms, taking in his sun-kissed face.

His eyes narrowed, and he tightened his hold on her. “The only biker your lips are touching is standing right in front of you.” He lowered his lips to hers, kissing her like he wanted to leave no room for misunderstanding about who she belonged to.

And she was there for it.

“On that note, I think I’d better go find my girls,” Leah said. “Come on, little man. Let’s find your sissies.”

“Sissies!” Leo toddled off with her.

“Did you tell Reese you’re taking your first motorcycle ride tonight?” Baz asked.

“Not yet, but you just did.” He was even more excited about having her on the back of his bike than she was. She knew how significant of a moment it was for both of them, but she’d never been on a motorcycle, and although she trusted Baz explicitly, she was still a little nervous.

“Someone’s being claimed,” Reese teased.

“Damn right she is,” Baz said. “Reese, you and Blaine will be there?”

“We wouldn’t miss it.”

“How is the contest going?” Emerson asked.

“Number ten is in the books,” Baz said proudly.

“That’s fantastic. How’s Chloe doing?” Reese asked.

“I guess we’re about to find out.” He lifted his chin, looking over her shoulder, where Chloe was walking confidently toward them in a Wicked Animal Rescue tank top and shorts. “How’s it going, blondie?”

“Great, dimples,” Chloe said. “Just got my eleventh adoption application. You?”

“Ten, but I’m about to blow you out of the water with my secret weapon.” He eyed Emerson. “Get ready to celebrate tonight, darlin’.” He gave her ass a pat and strutted across the lawn toward his father.