Page 41 of Tempt Me

I don’t know if I’m right about his feelings for Siobhan. I’ve nearly brought it up a few times while we were drunk. But what if I am right? It’s not like I have any advice for him. Who am I to push him when I sat on my hands for years with Hunter?

“After those assholes nearly stole her away that night, I just wasn’t going to wait anymore,” I reply when he waits for my answer. “I knew pushing her might be a mistake, but I needed more.”

Indigo nods. His gaze doesn’t flash to Shiobhan. Hell, it doesn’t go to Golden nearby, either. He just shrugs like he still doesn’t really get it.

“You’re a good friend,” I say and pat his back. “Not many people would stand in the midst of a bullet storm to help a guy out.”

Indigo smiles at my teasing. “You would do it for me.”

“Yeah, I would. The club is my family, and I love all of you. But like in all families, people have their favorites. You’re one of mine.”

“Now, I’m going to blush,” he mumbles before whistling for our dogs to approach.

I catch sight of Sleepy and Grumpy standing at the tree line. The German shepherd-golden retriever mixes hear Indigo’s whistle and take off running toward us. I kneel to give Sleepy affection. He’s smaller than a German shepherd, even if his face and ear shape resemble the bigger breed. His face is yellow and bright like his tail while the rest of him is darker. I used to get such a kick out of how he seemed like two dogs stitched together.

His brother, Grumpy, looks more like a German shepherd, just with a golden coat. Years ago, the farm took in a litter of these mutts.

Noble claimed two of them—Bashful and Dopey— and left the rest of them for families at the farm to adopt. Since Indigo and I had been talking about getting a dog, we each ended up claiming a puppy. The dogs are well past their puppy phases but remain buddies just like their owners. When I’m home, Sleepy tends to follow me around if he can peel himself away from his brother. Tonight, my dog will share my room with Hunter.

I’ve been worried about how she’d react to him. That’s why I’ve never mentioned my dog before. Hunter’s mom owns horses and a purebred cat. The Knutsen family doesn’t do mutts.

Hunter flinches when she sees the dogs. Siobhan introduces the panting, overheated mutts to her friend while I get their water bowls filled. Returning to the porch, I find Hunter watching me in a weird way. I suspect she’s wondering what else I haven’t told her.

Rather than push me on the subject, Hunter focuses on Siobhan who squeals with delight when she spots Sync pulling up in his SUV. He only drives it when the girls are with him. Siobhan leaps off the porch and runs to her daughters waving from the back seat.

As Sync helps the girls climb out, he explains, “We were working on my car on the driveway. An idiot neighbor came over to see if any of my friends were dead. He’d seen the fucking videos going around. The girls got upset, so we’re here to prove everyone is okay.”

Glancing at Hunter, I know she’s thinking about her people who didn’t survive. Sync doesn’t notice her reaction. He’s focused on his rattled daughters.

“You died,” Deirdre tells Siobhan.

“No, I’m okay,” she promises as she hugs the six-year-old twins. “Everyone at the farm is okay.”

The pretty brunette girls look around and see familiar faces. Kiera zeroes in on Aunt Fred nearby talking to club wives.

“Where’s Grandpa?” Kiera squeals and starts panicking.

“Right here, sugar plum!” Elvis calls out from the other direction. “Come give my old body some sugar.”

The twins run to him and talk over each other about what they heard. Siobhan frowns at Sync.

“What neighbor?”

“I’ll handle it,” Sync mutters and rubs his bearded jaw.

“I want the fucker dead.”

Sync rolls his blue eyes. “Yeah, I don’t know about that.”

“You’re weak,” Siobhan insists and waves him off. “Like a soggy fucking French fry.”

Hunter smiles as her friend drops down next to her on the swing. “Are you staying at the farm tonight?”

“Yes, and so are the girls,” Siobhan insists while frowning at Sync and daring him to disagree.

“I brought their suitcase.”

Siobhan nods at his agreement and cuddles with Hunter. “We all need to stay close and watch out for each other. It’s the only way we’ll be safe.”

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