Page 89 of A Little Naughty

I watch her fall back beside Raif, who’s pulling the wagon holding Edward while Owen walks beside it handing out beads, and my heart warms when I see her hold his hand.

I almost exhale a little sob of relief remembering our difficult night. He was so good with her, then he crept into the bedroom and sat quietly listening to me sing. It was the most perfect, family moment. It’s so hard to think of this as temporary.

He smiles when his eye catches mine, but as if he senses my unease, it melts a bit. His brow furrows as if asking me a silent question. Shaking my head, I return to waving and handing out beads.

The music changes to the “Mardi Gras Mambo” as we close in on the finish line. The rest of the parade is still going behind us, and we walk to the staging area where Harold is calling out the names of all the doggy participants and their owners as they roll past in decorated wagons or baby carriages or on foot.

Piper takes a seat on the raised platform beside him, and I walk through the crowd in the grassy center of the loop handing out the rest of my beads.

I haven’t gotten far when a male voice pulls me up short. “I heard you’re the new Mrs. Jones.”

Straightening my shoulders, I look up at the man with the scar and the neck tattoos. “I am.”

“The fucking Stones.” He shakes his head as if he’s disgusted, and I look around quickly as if I can somehow shield the children present. “That little shit always wanted to be something we’re not.”

I push my hair off my shoulders. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”

“I didn’t pitch it.” He scowls down at me like I’m a bug to be squashed.

“Are these for us?” A little girl pulls on my sequined sleeve, and I realize she’s pointing to the beads in my hand.

“Yes!” I take three and loop them over her head.

More children appear, and I hand her the small bag. “Take them all, and y’all run give them to everybody, okay? Make sure all the kids have them!”

They take off running, and when I turn back, the man is still watching me.

“What’s your name?” he growls.

“None of your business.” Raif appears at my side, putting his arm around my waist and moving me behind him.

It hasn’t been very long since I was on my own against men like this one, but I have to confess, it sure is nice to have someone looking out for me.

“I’m not allowed to know my sister-in-law’s name?”

My eyes widen, and I peek out from behind Raif’s shoulder. “You’re Bull?”

“Everything okay over here?” Aiden walks up, and Bull swears under his breath, shaking his head.

“Fucking Stones.” Bull sneers at Raif. “I guess you think hooking up with them is going to make you legit. You think you’re going to be someone?”

“I don’t think anything except you’ll treat my wife with respect.” Raif’s expression is dark, and I put my hand on his arm.

“It’s okay. I’m glad to meet your brother.”

“You’ve met him. Now we’ve got to get back.” Raif takes my arm, pulling me behind him again.

“Unless you’ve got something to say, you’d better head on, Bull.” Aiden straightens the top of his belt. “This is a family event.”

“Family event with a bunch of drag queens.” He nods in the direction of Monay and the girls, and now I’m getting mad.

“They’re part of our family.” I stand straighter, stepping out from behind Raif.

Bull’s eyebrows rise, and he exhales loudly. “Okay, I’m starting to see what my brother likes about you.”

Raif lunges, but Aiden cuts him off, moving between the three of us. “If that’s all you wanted.” Warning is in his tone.

“I need to speak to my brother.” Bull growls at Aiden. “If that’s still allowed.”

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