Page 41 of Protected By the Billionaire Ex-SEAL

“Oh! Yes, I forgot about your client. Bring her, please. She’s more than welcome.”

She hangs up after that, not asking for updates. Sometimes, Clara is the nosiest sister there is, but other times, she understands I can’t reveal stuff that easily and doesn’t pry.

Most of the time, it depends on her mood.

“Who was that and where are we going?”

I turn and find Raven with a raised brow, overhearing everything—not that I kept it a secret since I took the call in the living room. I nod.

“Dinner with my sister and her family. If you’re up for it. If you’re not, I can cancel.”

But her expression grows interested.

“You mean I get to meet the renowned Nick Slater that everyone in town talks about? And his very sweet, equally talked-about wife, your sister, Clara?” She grins. “Count me in.”

I don’t expect the enthusiasm, but I like it. Hours later, it wanes a bit as we drive to Nick’s and Clara’s house, which is next door to our parents’ house, who are on vacation. It’s their second place of residence, separate from the one in Nashville where Nick’s recording studio is.

Then I notice Raven’s change in mood to nervousness while we’re walking up to the door, and she’s repeatedly smoothing down her dress to remove wrinkles.

“Relax. They don’t bite.”

She offers me a quick smile, but it turns shy the moment the door opens. Clara hugs me right away, then steps back to scrutinize me.

“You showered. Good.”

“Funny.”

Then she turns to scrutinize Raven. Or it’s more of a friendly smile and an offered hand, polite down to her very bones, but I know my sister’s studying her.

“And you must be Raven, Honey Lee’s cousin! It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Raven accepts the handshake. “You have?”

“Yes. She said you’re a preschool teacher and you’re absolutely divine with the kids. You should come meet mine.”

Bringing up the kids relaxes Raven immediately, and soon Jazzy and Jared are headed toward us. Jared stumbles in his eagerness to get to me, but Jazzy beats him to it, reaching up for a tight hug. I pick her up, twirl her around, then put her down.

“Uncle Christian! You came!”

“Of course I came, sweetie.” Then I turn to Jared and pick him up, too, then rain kisses down his cheek until he’s giggling. “And here’s my favorite young man.”

“Who is she, mom?”

Clara softens like she always does whenever Jazzy calls her mom. “Jazzy, sweetie, this is Raven. She’s Uncle Christian’s friend and our guest for tonight.”

I watch as Raven bends to Jazzy’s level and beams, definitely not shy around kids. “Hi, Jazzy. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Jazzy, do you want to know what her other name is?” I fight back a grin. Raven shoots me an amused look, then returns her attention to Jazzy.

“What?”

“Rain Jelly.”

I don’t think I’ve ever seen my niece’s eyes get this big. “Really?”

Raven nods her head, her eyes twinkling. “He’s not kidding. Do you want to know what happened to Lowie the Frog after the book ended?”

And just like that, she has Jazzy in the palm of her hands, listening to every word she says. It’s not a one-sided thing, either, as Jazzy breaks into a multitude of questions and Raven is immediately charmed by the girl’s wit.

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