Page 50

“How many snakes do you think are here?” Dom asks as we approach Hunter’s.

I shrug. “Not a clue. Tend not to ponder too much on everything that wants me dead.”

Dom follows behind me as I knock on the door. I’m greeted by a smiling Lola, holding a tiny baby Willow in her arms.

“Hi,” she says, flustered.

“How was the hangover?” I ask.

She ushers us inside. “Disgusting. I still feel awful now, G. Next time, shall we book a spa?”

I’ve never relaxed a day in my life properly, but fuck it. “A massage is exactly what I need.”

I smile. But that soon drops as a goat charges at me head down. “What in the hell!” I shriek. Dom is laughing his damn head off behind me as the goat smashes his head into my legs.

“Get off!!” I try to shoo him.

He doesn’t let up, making the strangest noises I’ve ever heard as Lola tries to drag him away with one hand.

Another kid comes charging out from one of the rooms. This must be Wyatt. “Gary!! Stop!” he shouts.

He can’t be any older than seven. Spitting image of Hunter. He’s got that Sterling look—strong genetics, clearly. My brothers all had really similar features too.

Then Wyatt grabs the goat and pulls him back. “Gary, we don’t headbutt new people. Just Daddy.”

I scan the room. It’s pretty. Very ranch house but also extremely grand. I’m used to home that aren’t really lived in, this is a true family home.

“I’m so sorry, G. Gary is a lot,” Lola whispers.

I brush my hands over my legs. “I’ve been attacked by a few people in my life, never a goat,” I tell her.

She laughs awkwardly. The room falls silent, and the atmosphere turns to ice. I don’t turn. I don’t react. But I know damn well my husband is now behind me.

Gary, the traitor goat, trots past me to go and greet Colten.

The kid also runs up to Colt and says, “Uncle Colt, Gary attacked your girlfriend.”

Colten laughs, sending a shiver down my spine. “She’s my wife, Wyatt. Meet your new Auntie Gianna. And good boy, Gary.”

I spin to face him with a huff. “Really?” I snap.

He smiles. That stupidly hot lopsided grin. “Gary is a very good boy.”

“No. He ain’t. This is the one time I’ll side with Gianna,” Hunter’s voice booms from behind me.

He stops beside me. “Don’t worry, I think Gary just doesn’t like people with power.”

I nod as Colten stares at me.

“Odd choice of a house pet,” I say.

“Trust me, it’s not my choice,” Hunter returns. “Now, let's go. Gary, you stay here.”

Hunter heads off while Lola ushers Gary out of the house with Wyatt, and Dom follows behind Hunter. Leaving Colten and me staring at each other in the doorway.

“Making a good impression with the animals here.” Colt helpfully cuts the silence.

“The girls like me. I’ll win Gary over; he will prefer me over you by next week,” I tell him smugly, with absolutely no qualifications to back that statement up.