Page 69 of Fight for You
Were we cooking or about to conduct business?
She opened the briefcase, and my eyes bugged. Didn’t expect that.
Knives. Lots of them. Shiny, sharp, every size and use. The air in the kitchen went from pleasant to scorching, even with snow feathering the ground right outside. “I’ve got another set at home.” Nan ran her fingertip over a blade, pursed her lips, and then picked up the diamond-brushed knife sharpener. “But I’ve not seen this dear set in ages. When I prepare a feast, I use these.”
“I bet you do.” I chuckled. Those feel-good bubbles that flutter in your veins after drinking alcohol crept over me. “Okay, so these are the reason nobody wants to party with you in the kitchen.”
She chuckled too. “Now, let’s see what you can do.”
“I’ve made Jamie salmon.” I shrugged a shoulder as if nonchalant, though I secretly wanted those brownie points.
“Och. Jordyn, no need to tell me all you’ve done for my son.One look in his eyes, and I can tell he’s a happy man. So, I’ll teach you a few more family recipes. On one condition?”
“Yes.”
“You have hisbairns.”
“Did you just ask me to have your sons’ babies?”
“Don’t give me that look, lass. I’m all for women’s rights, and if he ever pissed you off, tell me. But you’ll have to give him as many as he wants if we are to agree.”
“Okay, sure.” A laugh, carefree and unfamiliar, escaped my lips.
We’d already seasoned beef when Rory came into the kitchen—bagless—while Lachlan and Leith carried all the groceries. Rory was already live on TikTok with two million watchers, telling them that I was his new girlfriend. He kissed my cheek, and in less than three seconds, the steady stream of comments exploded, and he was out of the room again.Dang, so I guess I wouldn’t be getting 10 percent for suggesting he get a job.
My laughter died, and my heart skipped a beat. Would Aleksandr see me?Hopefully not?Probably not. Romeo had hardly shown me, keeping the focus on his adorable face.
Lachlan shook his head and asked if we needed any help.
Nan shooed him and Leith from the kitchen, and then we peeled an entire bag of potatoes that would help round off a haggis dish. Had I ever enjoyed the company of another woman?Nope. The girls I lived with were catty. They coveted the best room at Aleksandr’s or the token chance he’d take them on a vacation.No,wait. I had one friend. My palm went to my forehead. I’d never told Jamie about Aston Martin. “Nan, I?—”
The doorbell rang.
“One of you get the door,” she ordered when none of the men arose from the couch.
A football game held Big Brody, Camdyn, and Leith’s attention.Leith, eyes on the flatscreen, reached over and softly kicked his younger brother’s shin. “Get the door.”
Even though Lachlan had to be in his mid-to late twenties, he grumbled, got up, and flicked Leith’s earlobe.Men. Yep. They were kids in disguise.
“What’s that, sweety?” Nan wiped her hands on a dishrag.
Before I could speak, I heard the door opening from my position in the kitchen. The extended cabinetry prevented me from setting eyes on the person who allowed himself in. But the voice sounded familiar. The oldest MacKenzie boy? Little—so notlittle—Brody.
“I found my key.” His deep brogue carried into the kitchen. “And I brought comp?—”
“Company my …” Lachlan’s retort snapped through the air.
My breath hitched. The room tilted.
Razors of fear clawed down my throat as I whispered the name. “Rocket?”Had he said Rocket?
I thought Nan hadn’t heard me. Breathing heavily, I stumbled backward, one step at a time.
Nan retrieved the meat tenderizer she’d told me was forspecial, special occasions when we marinated the beef. Hand fisted like a hammer, she said, “Don’t be afraid, deary. Remember, I just said I’m all for women’s rights. Let’s go say hello to Rocket. I take it you know each other?”
Eyes on the tenderizer she wielded like Thor’s hammer, my head hardly bobbed.
“Then we will say hello.” Despite her unreadable expression, a small smile touched her lips.
