Page 61 of Pigeon

“You’re Ivy, right?” Tessie asks with a small frown.

“Yes, I am. And you are?” Ivy responds politely.

“Tessie. Taja’s sister, Vex’s favorite sister-in-law, Trigger’s apprentice, and Axel’s favorite Uber driver,” Tessie replies absently.

“I’m Bella. Petey and Trudy’s daughter, Ava and Axel’s sister, Pooh’s best friend and babysitter of the young and old,” Bella explains with a laugh. “But please don’t tell the Aunts I said that.”

“Nice to meet you both,” Ivy says.

“How much time do you spend at Pigeon’s house?” Tessie asks with what I’ve come to know as a glint in her eye that usually spells trouble.

“Um, a few nights a week usually,” Ivy says in a confused tone.

“Hmmm. I think we’re going to become good friends, Ivy. Glad someone stepped up and put an end to Pigeon’s whor—” Tessie says before I cut her off.

“Tessie!” I bark quickly, not wanting the rest of that word to leave her mouth.

“Calm yourself, Pigeon. She must know you’ve not led the life of a saint,” Tessie retorts.

“Maybe we should get moving, Tessie,” Bella advises while pulling Tessie out of her chair.

“I was only trying to point out that it’ll be nice having Ivy at the house instead of a steady parade of—” Tessie starts again.

“Please warn Vex that you’ve created another debt, and I’ll be looking for him later for payment,” I order. “And I will be mentioning to him how happy you are that Ivy’s at the house I share with Horse,” I add while emphasizing Horse’s name loudly. “I’ll have to speculate on the reasons, but I’m sure I can come up with a few that will interest your sister and her soon to be beaten husband.”

“Pigeon! Don’t you dare!” Tessie shouts.

Bella continues pulling on Tessie’s arm, trying to save her friend. I can see when the realization of her fuck up hits her face. Shrugging Bella’s grip off, Tessie walks back to our table. During this, Ivy has sat silent with a blank face. No reaction whatsoever, and that worries me more than whatever Tessie’s about to say.

“Is there anything I can say to fix this? I didn’t mean to cause a problem. I spoke before I thought it through,” Tessie says in the humblest voice I’ve ever heard her use.

“What did you do now, Tessie?” Vex says in a resigned voice as he walks through the kitchen door.

“Earned you another ass beating,” I answer with a grin at my beleaguered clue brother.

“Fuck! I’m still carrying the bruises from my round with Gunner! Do you hate me, Tessie? Is that it? Please, for the love of all that’s holy, remember that your niece or nephew is going to need their father,” Vex says on a groan.

Glancing at Ivy, my eyes narrow when I see her staring at Vex like every other fucking woman has done at one time or another. Waving my hand in front of her face, I point to mine when her eyes jerk in my direction.

“Keep them here, babe. Ignore all that is Vex, and remember, I’m the awesome one who knows how to drive a tractor,” I order, then watch her grin at me.

“Ivy!” shouts a voice, and I duck just in time for Prissy to miss my head as she lands on Ivy’s raised arm.

“Nearly earned a name change to cockatoo,” Ivy murmurs before winking at me. “Still a better choice than yellow-bellied sapsucker.”

I shoot Ivy a look, but she’s already getting kisses from an excited Prissy. Turning back to Vex, I nod my head at Tessie and ask, “After I drop Ivy off at work, we can meet at the gym.”

“Why the fucking gym? Why not just go out back now? I’ll let you get a few punches in, and then we can all go our separate ways?” Vex argues.

“Let me get a few punches in? Let me?” I ask in disgust while Vex shoots a dirty look at Tessie, who’s now standing with a hanging head. “The gym because Pooh, Cash, and Axel will want the entertainment.”

“Axel loves to be entertained, but Axel is here today,” Axel says while making his way to our side.

Sitting on his shoulders is Alex, grinning, as usual, eyes on Prissy.

“Why are you here today and not at the gym?” I ask.

“Because my boys are powerful swimmers, and Bailey’s at the doctor’s office to find that out,” Axel crows.

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