Not to mention run by his dick.
Maddoc shakes his head and moves for the cooler – he too knows his brother well.
“Fucking, good, my man. You look good. Strong and capable.” He laughs at himself, making us laugh. He tilts his head and I shake mine. “You play three?
“What?”
“Three-way.”
“I have.” Gio shrugs.
“Well, the chicks around here love a solid sandwich, so if you’re up for it.” He shrugs. “I mean I’m not gay, but I like to share my toys.” He grins like a dumbass. “And I’m great at multiples, just ask RaeRae.”
“Royce!” me and Maddoc shout at the same time and he laughs.
“I ain’t lying.” He keeps laughing, dodging Maddoc when he whips a towel at him.
Rowan is suddenly standing there and steps forward with a frown. “That’s not gonna happen.”
“Why not?” I spur him on.
“Stay the fuck out of it!” Maddoc bites out from where he stands, and I waggle my brows.
Royce eyes Rowan, sliding his stare to Gio, and then back.
He’s too perceptive for his own good and reads them both right.
Rowan hasn’t claimed his spot yet, and poor pretty boy, Royce is about to force his hand.
“Yeah? And why not?” He licks his lips enticingly, slowly sliding his eyes to Gio. “I’m not a selfish bastard, I’ll make sure our frosty filling handles him good, even help her out if I need to.”
Rowan steps close to Royce. “You want him in your party?”
“Yeah, man.” He smirks, eyes flashing with amusement. “I do.”
I look to Gio whose eyes are about black from watching.
“Then I’m the one in the center,” Rowan says.
“Guess he’s hot today,” I mutter under my breath and Royce winks at me.
At Rowan’s words, Gio goes from drooling to frowning in two seconds flat.
“Uh, clearly they haven’t labeled whatever it is they’re doing or not doing.”
Again, all glares cut to Victoria.
“What?” she snaps with a shrug. “Tell me I’m wrong?” she dares, looking straight at Rowan.
Both guys tense a minute, but then everyone laughs, and they do their little back slaps. Fresh beers are passed around and we all move for the patio chairs on the side of the yard.
Maddoc switches on the fire pit and everyone kicks back, getting comfortable.
“How the fuck did you end up here, Raven?” Gio asks.
Maddoc tenses behind me, and I laugh. “Long story, G.”
He nods – he’s never been one to pry. “Been here long?”
“Few months now.”
His eyes tighten. “Were you at your mom’s all the time before?”
I nod., looking away.
“Damn, girl.” He reaches forward, pinching my knee and Maddoc knocks his hand off.
Gio lets out an easy laugh, and eyes Maddoc, before looking to the others and back to me. “Seems you found your place, huh?” he asks with a soft smile and my chest constricts.
Maddoc’s arms tighten around me and Royce and Cap watch me intently.
I don’t want to answer, it’s my business, but I don’t wanna insult my boys either, so I nod.
“Yeah,” I rasp. “I did.”
He grins. “Who would have thought two troublemaking punks like us would make it out in the end.”
I force a grin, because did I make it out, for real? I mean, I was only brought here because my man’s dad needed me to get out of prison so ... who knows what happens if it doesn’t work.
Yeah, can’t really follow with that.
“We should go,” Rowan stands.
Gio nods, his eyes on me. “It’s ... damn good to see you like this, Raven.”
“Like what?” I tease.
“Happy.” He shrugs. “Content enough to sit still, not out hustlin’ every second to stay ahead.”
I tense and Maddoc’s lips move to my ear.
“You’re good, baby,” he whispers.
“Thanks, G,” I say, a little raspier than I’d have liked, sinking into Maddoc more.
I don’t look across the group, I don’t want to see their faces.
Thank hell the girls went inside to make a call.
Gio stands and moves to grab my hand, squeezing.
He whispers where only me and Maddoc can hear. “You deserve this, Raven. Keep reminding yourself of that.”
I nod.
He shakes Maddoc’s hand and then the rest of them, Rowan’s next.
“Your family is welcome back, anytime,” Maddoc tells him. “But maybe next time, don’t fucking tail us.”
They laugh lightly, waving bye on their way out.
And suddenly I feel heavy.
Maddoc senses it and moves us both to stand. He looks to his brothers.
“You guys coming?”
Royce looks to Cap who shrugs, and he cuts a grin back to us. “Nope. We’re gonna find us a cream filling.”
I laugh and Maddoc drags me away.
“We’ll drop the girls at the home,” he shouts behind us and the four of us are in the truck and headed back in the next minute.
“So are you sure you’re not mad at me anymore, Rae?” Vienna asks and I push my head against the seat.
“I’ll fuck you up if you so much as wave at him again,” I say instantly, and completely fucking serious. “But no, and only because he planned it. Still think you’re shit for suggesting it. Still don’t like it. Still wanna smack you a bit for it.”