Page 52 of Vex

“No! This wasn’t your fault. This wasn’t mine. Don’t take this on yourself, Sis. I’m okay. Bruises, that’s all. Love you so much,” Tessie replies fiercely.

“We got dealt a shit hand in the father department,” I say while still holding her tight to me.

“But we struck gold in the mom department. I struck gold in the sister department,” she whispers back.

Pulling back a little, I look her over from top to toe. She does the same.

“I’ve only been gone a few days, and you’ve lost weight. No offense but you look like shit,” Tessie states with a watery laugh.

“You look worse,” I shoot back. We both grin, and I know we’re going to be okay.

Looking over Tessie’s shoulder, I see Vex standing back allowing us this moment. His eyes are soft and radiating warmth toward us sisters. I squeeze Tessie one last time, release her and start walking to Vex. After a few steps, I break into a run and leap at the last second knowing he’ll catch me. He does with a laugh as I wrap arms and legs around him and hold tight. Leaning back, I look down to view his gorgeous face but change my mind and drop my mouth to his instead. As I knew he would, Vex responds beautifully. Forgetting about our audience, I lose myself in him. The world’s perfect for a few seconds before it gets interrupted.

“Who are you? Hey, what’s going on?”

I pull my head back, look down and see the dirtiest child I’ve ever seen. Gee’s standing next to him wearing a shirt that reads “Eat More Chicken” and that’s not even the strangest part of this encounter. There’s a skunk on the other side of the kid staring up at me.

“Hello. I’m Taja. And you are?” I ask while still clinging like a monkey to Vex’s laughing body.

“Craig. This is Gee and Bart. He doesn’t stink and he’s friendly. You’re really pretty. Why’s Vex holding you? Can’t you walk?”

Vex lets me slide down his body until my feet hit the ground, but he keeps an arm around my shoulders, keeping me close.

“Nice to meet you, Craig,” I reply.

“You wanna pet my skunk?” Craig inquires.

“Worst pick-up line ever,” Vex mutters.

“Can I?” Tessie asks from beside me.

“Hi, Tessie. Yeah, you can too. You’re not taking him driving though,” Craig answers in a serious tone.

Tessie and I bend down and give Bart and Gee some love while listening to the guys chuckling.

“You’re really pretty. Want to have lunch with me?” Craig asks while looking at me.

“He’s getting better at this. Vex finally has some competition,” Trigger says with a laugh.

“How about we have a snack together later? I need to speak with Tessie and Vex for a while first though. Is that okay with you?” I ask.

“Yeah that’s good. I have to learn things first then I’ll come find you,” Craig states before walking away with his little friends.

“He’s adorable,” I tell Vex.

“Not always, but he’s usually amusing as hell,” Vex replies. “Looks like I’m going to have to watch my back. You have another admirer.”

After Tessie takes a shower and we’ve spent some time together, she crashes and is sleeping like the dead. I made a point to thank each and every one of the members for what they did, but all just waved me off with a smile or a hug. And while I shouldn’t have liked it as much as I did, Vex growled a little with each hug I received.

I’m sitting in the main room while the guys are in Church. I’m anxious for Vex to get a few minutes to tell me what happened and what the plan is for the future. I know this isn’t over with Rooster. He needs to be six feet under before he’d give up when money’s involved.

I watch as a stunning black-haired woman rushes across the room toward me. I have no clue who she is, but she’s smiling and appears friendly as she takes the seat across from me.

“Hi, Taja. I’m Pippa, Pooh’s woman. Sorry we haven’t met until now. Things have been hectic as all hell lately. Anyway, I wanted to speak with you before Craig gets here.”

“Hi, Pippa. Sorry, I don’t know which one Pooh is, but I did meet Craig. He’s adorable.”

“It can get confusing around here, but Pooh’s my guy, we live here on the compound next to Axel and Bailey. We’re engaged. I recently adopted Craig. Tammy is my mom. I consider Trigger as my second dad and one of the best men ever. Have I confused you yet?” Pippa asks quirking an eyebrow at me.

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