Page 93 of Tangled Fates

Dean followed quickly behind me and kicked off his shoes. “I could go right back to sleep.”

Levi chuckled as he slid on inside. “Couch practically has your name on it at this point.”

Hudson groaned as he bolted for the kitchen. “I could eat a fucking horse right about now.”

I tossed the door closed. “I don’t suppose there’s pizza delivery all the way out here, huh?”

Dean pulled out his phone. “You’d be surprised. What kind of pizza do you want?”

I blinked. “Wait, seriously? There’s pizza delivery?”

Hudson grinned. “We’ve got something better. You calling Martha?”

Dean pressed a button on his phone and held it up to his ear. “Martha? Hey! It’s Dean. I don’t suppose you’ve got that pizza oven struck up, do you?”

I furrowed my brow. “Who’s Martha?”

Dean whizzed by me, dipping into my ear for a quick response. “Only the best cook in the neighborhood.”

Hudson nodded. “She exchanges takeout orders for favors.”

“Huh,” I said, “that’s actually really smart.”

“Pizza orders! I need ‘em!” Dean exclaimed.

“Three meat for me,” Hudson called out.

“A nice, juicy cheese for me!” Levi yelled.

“And for you?” Dean asked as he came into the kitchen, eyeing me down as if I were the pizza he wanted to devour.

“Can she do pepperoni and mushroom?”

Dean pointed at me. “A girl after my own heart. Did you get all of that, Martha? Perfect. Uh huh. Just bring them right on up. Yeah, we got you. We’ll get started on it tomorrow. Thanks. Appreciate it.”

“So, what did you get us into?” Hudson asked.

Dean hung up his phone. “Apparently, Martha’s back deck is starting to sink. We’re all going to work on that tomorrow to get it straightened out for her.”

“And what will I do?” I asked.

Dean snickered. “First one’s on the house, courtesy of her.”

“Awww, she didn’t have to do that. Seriously, what can I do?” I asked.

Levi shook his head. “Just let her have this one. Martha is just about as stubborn as you are, and I don’t have the energy to field that conversation.”

Hudson barked with laughter. “You could preach for days on that one.”

My face fell flat. “Fine, but I won’t be accepting free pizza again.”

“Trust me,” Dean said as he patted my shoulder, “I let her know that.”

I nodded my head curtly. “Good.”

We all paused in the kitchen as the rapid, soft knocking at the door struck up. My heart leapt into my throat as all three of my men quickly scooted in front of me. Their reaction put me on edge, and every single one of my senses went on high alert as my vision sharpened in front of my very eyes.

And as I watched the hairs on the back of Hudson’s neck stand on end, I drew in a deep breath.

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