“And where is home?” Taff leaned across. “Where do beautiful girls like you come from?”
“Pierce.” She sipped her beer. “You?”
“Live here. Always have.”
She nodded. “Nice.”
“It has its advantages, not far to stagger from bar to bed.” Taff laughed. “I expect you’ll soon find that out.”
“Leah’s not staying.” Carter spoke harsher than he’d meant to and put his arm around the back of her stool, half embracing her. He wished Taff would take a hike.
“Ha, losing your touch, Carter. Your pa never would have let a woman slip through his fingers.”
Carter could feel his blood heating further as irritation swarmed through him. His parents had been faithfully married for years.’Til death do us partapplied to them. “Stop being a jerk, Taff.”
“What me?”
“Yeah.”
“So, what do the pancakes come with?” Leah asked. “Sweet or savory?”
“Whatever you want.” He spun his shoulder to block Taff out. “I’ll shout to Nina.”
“I’m happy to have a surprise.”
“Good.” He leaned in and kissed her. He couldn’t help himself. It was partly staking his claim and partly because he just wanted to feel her lips on his.
“Hello, son.”
He pulled back and spun to face his mother.
Leah did the same.
Brooklyn was smiling, but through her long black lashes, her eyes held the suspicion she reserved for newcomers. “You have a guest.”
“Hey, Ma.” He kissed her cheek as he always did. “This is Leah White.”
“Pleased to meet you, Leah White.” She held out her hand, her long red nails impeccable as always. “You probably guessed I’m his mother. Brooklyn Harris.”
Leah shook her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Harris.”
“Please, just call me Brooklyn. Everyone else around here does.”
Leah smiled.
Carter squirmed. He hoped to hell Brooklyn wouldn’t start going on about Leah being an attorney.
“First time in a compound?” Brooklyn asked.
“Yes.”
“What do you think?”
“Er…” She nibbled on her bottom lip. “Safe from anything on the outside, it’s like a reverse prison, but…”
“But?” Brooklyn tipped her head, her long dark hair swishing over her shoulder.
“With a wolf-like dog checking everyone out and bullet holes in the bar door, I wonder how safe it isinside.”