I shake my head in mock exasperation.
“Who’s the friend?” Wizard asks, narrowing his eyes and giving Jamie the once over.
“This is my friend, Jamie.”
“Hmm.” Wizard’s facial expression instantly ices over.
Great, no one likes him. I beg Wizard not to bust Jamie’s balls with my eyes.
He quirks an eyebrow and shrugs. It’s the way they do things, weeding out the people they think aren’t good enough for us daughters. The men might be the Kings, but their women are royalty to them in their own way.
“I’m so glad to see you here, Nevada,” I say.
His wife steps forward and we embrace. “You, too, Blue. It’s been too long.”
“I know. I heard my Vegas baby is here,” I tease.
Nevada laughs. “Yes, she is. I didn’t want to leave her, and Wiz wanted to get out. Well, he demanded I get out and have some fun. So, here I am.” She shrugs.
“You know I’m always down to babysit the cutie.”
“We’ll be taking you up on that soon, Blue,” Wizard says.
I nod.
H
e takes his family serious. They only leave the baby in the company of people who’ve been affiliated with the club for years. After what went down, I can’t blame them. Betrayal of the magnitude they experienced would make a person look at everyone around them differently.
“Why don’t you take her to visit Vegas while me and Jamie boy here have a chat?” Wizard says.
I want to protest, but I know better. I give Jamie a worried glance.
“Don’t worry, Blue, this is why we’re here. So I can get to know your family better.” Jamie nods his head.
“Is that right?” Wizard asks.
“Yeah, it is,” Jamie retorts.
The fierce expression on his face shocks me. I’m seeing a side of him I never realized existed. If he’d shown this before, maybe I would’ve said yes to that ring.
“We’ll be back in a bit, boys,” Nevada says, hooking her arm in mine and leading me away.
We walk down to the dorms, and she knocks on the door. I recognize Speed’s kid, Amanda, holding the baby close to her. She’s cooing contently in Amanda’s arms and waving her tiny fists. Her silky black hair coats her head and her eyes are a wicked shade of bluish-green.
“Hi, Vegas, baby, it’s Auntie Blue. You remember me, kiddo?”
She flashes me a gummy smile, and I melt.
“How’s she been, Amanda?” Nevada asks.
Amanda grins. “Excellent as always. She’s such a happy baby.”
“Yeah, until she’s hungry,” Nevada says.
“Hah, she must take after her father then,” I tease. I take the tiny bundle from Amanda and cuddle her close. The smell of baby powder and goodness fills my nostrils. I sway back and forth with her.
“So, what’s the deal with the…um, interesting fellow being grilled by Wiz?” Nevada asks.