Page 85 of Claim Me

“You’ll make them pay, right?” I ask, sounding like a scared kid.

Zoot mutters defensively, “Of course.”

“No matter the deal you hammer out with the cops, promise you’ll punish the man who hurt Indigo.”

“He’s one of the Brennan family.”

Still cuddled in Noble’s arms, I ask Zoot, “Is that code for you’ll set him on fire?”

Zoot reaches over and pats my head. “Sure, kid. Might not be able to ice Alec Brennan, but we can take out Tommy. No one gives a shit about that asshole.”

Wiping my eyes, I release my grip on Noble’s shirt. “I just need to know you care.”

“I care.”

“About me or Indigo?”

Zoot gives me a nasty glare. “I’m not choosing.”

“Both is an acceptable answer.”

“Okay, that one.”

“You’re so cranky,” I say, moving toward him while he sneers at me. “But deep inside, you have a big, sloppy heart.”

When I force him to hug me, Zoot pets my head like I’m his dog. Finally, he stops glaring and offers a gentle gaze.

“I’m going to ruin a lot of people’s lives over what happened today,” he says in a tender voice.

Smiling, I step back and nod. “You’re a good uncle.”

“I know,” Zoot replies.

I fight the urge to roll my eyes while backing away. “I free you from my need for hugs. Go run back to your hug-free lives.”

Zoot doesn’t waste time mocking my words. He bolts out the door before I wipe tears on him again. Noble struts after him, unafraid of a little lady drama.

I notice Glen watching me. Though his expression is difficult to read, I suspect he’s upset I was crying. I walk into the kitchen and wrap my arm around his shoulders.

“My uncles are going to get payback for Indigo,” I say and kiss the top of his head.

Glen looks up at me and just stares. He’s craving something specific. Unable to come up with the perfect words, I kiss his forehead and hope he feels safe.

He flinches and shuffles closer to me when Caveman enters the house.

“You look ready to drop that pup soon,” Caveman says to me.

Carys snorts. “You’re a flipping poet.”

“Don’t I know it,” he replies, grinning at her as he moves toward me. “Vanilla, what are you doing in here besides holding Siobhan up?”

When the boy shrinks next to me, I frown at my uncle. “Why are you hassling him? He’s had a hard day, ya boiled potato.”

Caveman grins at my insult. He reaches over and rubs Glen’s head. “He can speak for himself.”

“No, he’s only a child. He needs me to yell at you.”

“You call that yelling?”

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