Page 85 of The Explorer
“Ouch.” Rubbing the back of his head, Jones frowned at his older brother. “What do you mean byyourwoman?”
“I claimed Aubri, and she accepted me.” The pride on Indiana’s face melted me and when Sparrow and Jones stared at us, I happily confirmed it.
“It’s true. Indiana and I are together.”
Sparrow squealed out loud while Jones’ face fell.
“Are you serious?”
Indiana nodded. “Dead serious.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Sparrow exclaimed.
“Because we wanted to tell you in person. The plan was to tell everyone at once, but since Indiana couldn’t keep his mouth shut, now you know.”
Sparrow reached out her hand to me. “Congratulations. I’m so proud that I know before your family. You couldn’t have picked a better man.”
“Hmm… She could have picked me,” Jones argued.
I gave him a smile. “You’re too young for me, Jones. And way too nice.”
Jones dipped his head in Indiana’s direction. “He’s nice too.”
Indiana and I exchanged a smile before my face split in a grin. “I used to think the same but living with him for six months has taught me what a domineering ass he can be.”
Jones sunk back in his seat looking upset.
Reaching over to squeeze his knee, Indiana said, “Hey, come on, little brother. Can’t you be happy for me? I’m getting married to the woman of my dreams.”
Jones crossed his arms. “What about my dreams? First, Mason married Belle and now you snatched up Aubri.”
“Astrid Bell is still available,” Sparrow said in a sing-song voice. “If Thor doesn’t want to marry her, maybe you could swoop in and take your shot.”
Jones lowered his arms and looked thoughtful. “Maybe, but he told me it’s because he heard she has a thing for a man called Jaxon. Thor doesn’t want an arranged marriage to a woman who’s in love with someone else.”
“You know what you should do, Jones,” Banni said in his lovely French accent. “You should come live with us for a while and have some fun. Our women would love a man like you and they would be lining up.”
Jones scrunched up his mouth. “Indiana told me about that in one of his vid messages, but I prefer the chase.”
“The chase?” Banni tilted his head as if the concept were alien.
“Yeah, from what Indiana said, sex is just a pastime for you. I don’t like that. It should mean something.”
Sparrow chuckled and addressed Banni. “Didn’t Aubri tell you that although our men are large and rough, they are romantics at heart?”
Banni smiled back at her. “I’ve seen Aubri and Indiana together, and they weren’t what I consider to be romantic. Looked more like they were fighting than loving each other.”
Sparrow raised a brow and looked to Indiana. “Is that true? Please tell me you never hurt Aubri.”
“It’s complicated.” Indiana moved in his seat. “When I claimed Aubri it took a little persuasion and things got a little rough.”
Sparrow’s gaze went to me. “From your smile, I take it you weren’t hurt too bad.”
“Actually, I was, but that was from that pack of wolves that attacked us. Not from Indiana’s… ehh… persuasion.”
“Wait, the claiming happenedthatnight?” Reaching for my arm, Sparrow studied the scar. I had already told her about the wolves, just not the part that led to Indiana and me being alone in the forest at night.
“It’s scary to think about what could have happened if your friend hadn’t come to your rescue,” Sparrow pondered.
