Page 21 of Property of Indiana

“Men,” Elodie grumbles, pouting as she watches them verbally spar through the side window as we wind our way through the lot.

“Can’t take them anywhere,” I tack on which causes her to giggle.

CHAPTER

ELEVEN

INDIANA

When I guidemy motorcycle into Zoey’s driveway, after grabbing our order from Mama Maria’s, I’m confused at the picture that greets me. Keeping the food stored in my saddle bags, I cut off the engine and swing my leg over my bike and make my way to Icer who’s knocking on Zoey’s car window with his knuckles. Zoey looks at him then cranks her music up to an ear-splitting volume, ignoring his attempts to get her to climb out. Icer tosses his hands up in the air and turns around on his feet, stomping over toward me.

“What’s going on?” I ask him.

“She’s going to makemy princessgo deaf if she doesn't turn that shit down,” he grumbles, and I know if I don’t step in and do something about this he’s going to run over to his bike and grab the crowbar he stores in a side holster, then shatter those windows.

“Why won’t she get out?” I continue my line of questioning.

“She refuses to go in until we ‘case the joint’, her words not mine, and make sure all of those vile, disgusting rodents who carry germs have been evicted,” he tells me, his tone full of seething anger. “It’s like she wants me to hand out eviction notices or something!”

Rocking back on my feet, I smirk before asking, “Why didn’t you just go inside and pretend like you were checking to make sure there was nothing there? You’d already have her out of the car if you’d done that.”

“That’s ridiculous,” he spits. “She doesn't have any rodents in there and you and I both know it. It’d be a waste of my time. Elodie and I have plans and she’s delaying them.”

“They were delayed anyway when we start bashing her neighbors’ heads in and tossing their shit out on the curb for the trashman to gather,” I remind him, barely keeping from rolling my eyes at how absurd he’s being right now.

“I already have the guys coming over to take care of that while we distract our family,” he hisses.

“Ourfamily?” I repeat.

“Yeah. Yours and mine,” he states, pointing at the idling car.

“Who are you? This isn’t like youat all. I’m beginning to think Rip went behind our backs and had you go through a lobotomy or a brain transplant,” I tell him.

When it comes to Elodie and Zoey, his personality has switched gears. He’s still the same menacing, murderous Icer around the clubhouse and when he’s facing down our enemies, but the way he is with these girls is so far outside of his norm that it’s concerning.

“Told you before, maybe you’ll listen this time, Indiana. There’s something different about them. That little girl may be your daughter, but she’smyprincess.”

“So you’ve said,” I whistle through the gaps of my teeth. “Come on, man, let’s go and get this fake inspection done and over with so we can get our girls out of the car and inside.”

“Fine.” He tosses his hands up in the air in defeat and stomps up the porch. When he pulls out a key from his pocket to her front door, I hang my head and place my hands on my hips. I don’t have a key to her residence, but he does? I squint at Zoey where she’s watching my reaction and she shrugs her shoulders. Yeah. We’ll be talking about that tonight.

As we brush our teeth later that evening, she explains, “He took my key off the keyring and went and made a copy. I didn’t argue with it considering he’s now my brother and Elodie’s keeper. You never asked for one or you’d have it,” she points out.

It’s a good thing my toothbrush is currently in my mouth because otherwise I would be grinding my molars into dust. Fucking Icer has lost his mind and the fact that Zoey just went along with him instead of putting up a fuss has me concerned about her well-being.

“As your man, I shouldn’t have to ask, Zoey.”

“You’re right, Harrison. But things between us have moved at the speed of lightning. Give me a chance to play catch up before you judge me.”

Before I get a chance to respond, shouting and things shattering from next door interrupt us. Zoey scans the window above her tub and marches over to it before climbing in and over, standing on the ledge so she can peer outside.

“Wanna tell me why men, wearing the same cut as you, are over at my neighbors’ house dragging them out by the ears while tossing out their belongings?”

She doesn’t turn her eyes my way when she asks because she’s too enraptured on what’s happening outside to pay me any attention. “That’s the reason I brought my overnight bag with me. I know you don’t want us having sleepovers yet, however, I needed to be here in case there were any complications.”

“Um. Hate to say this, but I don’t think you’ll be needed,” she says, wincing when there’s a bellow of pain from outside. “Damn. I don’t think that man will be able to reproduce after that nut shot.”

“That’d be Rebel,” I announce. “He hates getting his hands dirty so he uses his feet.”

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