Page 29 of Sinful Mates

Slade’s lips tightened in a harsh line. “You my old lady now?”

Fuck. I got between them before it ended up in a swinging match. “Castor, check your channels. Is there any more incoming fire?” My heart pounded like it wanted to break free as I waited for his response.

“The direction is coming from the Police District Commander to investigate all the club’s businesses.” Castor’s voice was as brittle as my hopes that Slade would stay.

Slade pinched his temples between his thumb and forefinger. I felt the distant struggle of my mate, snarling at his foes, warning them to back off, clawing at them if they came too close while also fighting an inner battle over his conscience and duty to his club and mate.

“Can’t it wait a few days?” Zethan prodded, attempting to lower the tension, knowing we couldn’t keep this up in front of Mia.

“Yeah.” Castor’s face hardened with concern. “But they’re looking into everything.”

“Fuck.” Slade was about to fly off the handle, so I flew into his arms.

“Please stay,” I murmured, resting my cheek on his chest, soaking up his warmth and rubbing his abdomen. “You said you wanted to get Mia settled. Said you didn’t want the club to come between us.”

Slade’s hiked shoulders dropped as he relented. “You’re right, sugar. I don’t want to lose you.” I met his rugged kiss with one of my own, grateful that he fulfilled his promise. If anything, my ruthless mate kept his word.

A tug dragged him back to the barbeque, and he took the tongs from Zethan’s waiting hands.

Warmth kissed my chest as I slung my arms around his waist. I tried humor to douse the last of the fire. “You’re sexy when you cook.”

Sausages crackled as Slade turned them. He bent his arm back, cradling me, setting his palm on my lower back. “Slade’s special.”

“Child alert,” Alaric warned of Mia’s return.

“Can’t wait to try it.” I leaned back to slap him on the ass and break up the rest of the tension. “Along with those sandwiches you keep promising.”

Slade chuckled, turning the steaks, which blackened for being left too long. “If you’re lucky, I might even make you vegetables.”

“Vegetables? Gross!” Mia cut in, standing next to Slade, peering up at him.

Eyes hard, he glanced down at her, pretending to bite her nose with the greasy tongs. “You’re gonna eat every vegetable I cook, enjoy it and smile.”

Mia gave him her best glare and the sassy part of me smiled. “He’s your meanest boyfriend, Mom,” she grumbled, wandering over to sit beside Zethan at the table. He kissed her forehead and ruffled her hair.

I tickled the dark tuft of hair on my man’s belly with my nails. He shifted my arms, so I scratched his chest where he liked “Why, Mr. Vincent, admit defeat. I think you were beaten for the first time in your life.”

My dark force of nature shifted to face me, leaning down to kiss a path down my neck that set off sparks in my core, and ending with a nip. “The only one who’s ever won a battle against me is you, my worthy adversary.” Rough words poured out of him like whisky, and I soaked them up like I was parched.

Loving heat branched out across my body at his praise. “It won’t be the last battle.”

“I’m counting on it.” A rumble of anticipation traveled up his throat, lighting the fire between my legs.

Settling down my lust, Slade switched off the gas and reduced the heat. I took the first plate he loaded with different meats and set it at one end of the table.

When he placed the second at our end, I couldn’t help but tease, “I think I’m jealous, Mr. Vincent. You never cooked for me.”

“I made you a sandwich,” Slade groused.

“Yeah, once, and that was only to win me over.” I piled Mia’s plate with salad while she made a sausage in bread. “And when you had me, you stopped!”

“He hasn’t made me another sandwich either,” Castor teased.

We all laughed, even Zethan, and it was beautiful to see the light break up his gloominess. He poked Mia’s arm. “Slade must really like you if he cooks for you.”

“That’s cause I’m special,” Mia smarted back.

“Yes, you are, Sot Nesu.” Castor poured her some watered-down cordial into a plastic picnic cup.

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