“Shopping,” Brandt said.
“For?”
“A new house.”
“What?” Bam asked. “He thinks he’s taking my baby to live away from us? After all that just happened?” Bam demanded, getting to his feet.
“Nope. She’s wanting to build across from Havoc and Analise, but isn’t sure what she wants in the way of a house, so they’re driving around looking at houses.”
“That’s ridiculous. We could build her whatever she wants,” Bane said.
“And I’m sure we will. She just has to settle on what style she wants first,” Brandt said. “He don’t mind, though. He gets to spend hours listening to her talk and sing, and getting more like herself everyday. He said it’s doing his heart good to watch her coming back to herself.”
“What are they going to do with Barron’s house?” Kaid asked.
“I don’t know.”
“I might have an idea,” Maverik said, focusing on Lucien.
“Don’t look at me! I don’t think I’ll be here that long,” Lucien said defensively.
“Boy, get your ass up and come on!” Maverik snapped, stalking toward the front door.
“Does he talk to everybody like that?” Lucien asked.
“Only if I like ‘em!” Maverik shouted as he let the screen door slam behind him as he walked out onto the porch.
“He talks to everybody in anyway that strikes him. Except for me. I’ll make him regret it,” Valerie said.
“I can see that,” Lucien said. “No offense. You keep him in his place, and he’s cantankerous.”
Valerie laughed. “Oh, we’re not that bad. But here’s the thing… we’ll both cut somebody’s throat for hurting our kids. But for whatever reason, he’s decided you’re trustworthy. I haven’t. Don’t prove him wrong.”
“Understood.”
“Are you coming or not?!” Maverik demanded, sticking his head back inside.
“Where?”
“We’re gonna take a ride. See if Hellen’s where I think she is.”
“I’m game!” Lucien said, getting to his feet rather gingerly and following Maverik outside onto the porch.
“He ought to play hard to get. That’d work better than chasing her,” Brandt called out.
Maverik, who was leading the way down the stairs to his truck, hesitated and thought about it. “He ain’t wrong. Want to play hard to get instead?”
“Naw, why make it easy?” Lucien asked.
Maverik laughed. “If it’s worth the fight, it’s worth having.”
“Exactly!” Lucien said.
Inside the house, Riley looked over at Maia and nodded. “Said it before, I’ll say it again. We gotta come visit more.”
“Definitely,” Maia agreed.
Chapter 9
