Page 29 of Banner

Pop rolls his eyes but pulls a handkerchief from his pocket and cleans her up.I bet he never thought he’d be changing diapers and juggling late-night feedings again in this lifetime.

“I didn’t come here to drink, smartass.I came to find out how your wife is holding up and to see if there’s any news on your brother.”My smile drops.It’s been a week since the fire at Mouse’s shop and unfortunately, the place was a total loss.Ivan used an accelerant when he torched the place, and nothing was salvageable.“Sophia’s heartbroken.”

“And your brother?”There’s a hopeful look on Pop’s face, which is exactly why I’ve been avoiding talking to him ‘bout this shit.Looking at him now, Sophia was right.He needs to know so he’s not in limbo.I blow out a breath.

“Bianchi got everything dropped except the bullshit resisting arrest charge.They’re throwing the book at him on that one, Pop.He’s going to have to serve six months.”

“Shit.”He drops his head.

I grab his shoulder and squeeze.“I’m sorry, Pop.It’s the best the lawyer could do.”

He looks up at me and nods his head.“It could be worse.”It could be a whole lot worse.

“Give Sophia the butcher shop.She’ll be closer and protected there.”My brows hit my hairline.Why the hell didn’t I think of that?The spot is perfect.It needs some remodeling, but the size and layout are almost identical.

“Think she’ll go for it?”He grins but it’s only half-hearted.He’s worried about my brother.

We spin around on our stools when the doors are pushed open.Sophia follows Hunter through the door with a smile on her face.Seeing her happy makes me feel lighter.Something I hadn’t realized I needed until she came into my life.

“Surprise her.She’ll love it.”He’s grown quite fond of Sophia over the last few weeks, and it shows.

The smell of cheap perfume hits my nose a second before a hand slides across my thigh.“Hey there, stud.”

“Oh shit,” Pops whispers before all hell breaks loose.

Chapter12

Sophia

“Hey there, stud.”

I stop dead in my tracks and look from this woman’s hand on my husband’s leg to the look of shock on his face.My head tips to the side as a feeling of anger starts to boil in my veins.I would never have described myself as a woman prone to aggression, but I’ve never been in this kind of situation before.

Before I can remind myself it’s not how a lady would act, I eat up the distance and position myself between Banner’s spread legs.“Get your hands off my husband and run along.”The threat is clear.This is my man and she better move on, or else.

“Or what?”

I lean in and speak softly.“Or I’ll slit your throat myself.”

Her eyes widen and she looks over my shoulder, then back at me.“You’re crazy.I’m out of here.”

Banner’s strong arms slip around my waist, and he pulls me flush against his chest.“You make my dick hard when you get territorial, Mouse.”

“Oh yeah?”My heart is racing.I’ve never threatened anyone before, but I meant what I said.

“Mm.It’s hot as fuck watching you toss that biker bitch attitude around.”My cheeks heat.I’ve never acted this way before, but it felt really good to stand up for myself.

Remembering that I came here to see Pop, I spin around in the circle of Banner’s arms and smile at my father-in-law.“I’m onto you.”I laugh.

Pop smirks.“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Banner’s arms tighten around me and he lays a kiss on my lips.“What’s he done, baby?”

“Baby stuff has been showing up at our house all day long.At first, I thought it was stuff for Payton, although I wasn’t sure why it was being delivered to our house.However, as I started snooping, I found this.”I pull the note that was attached to a stuffed lamb out of my back pocket.

Banner takes it from my hand and reads it.“Could you be more subtle, Pop?”His lip curls amusingly at the corner.

“Payton’s going to need cousins to play with.”I roll my eyes and giggle.

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