Page 123 of Sinful
"Says the girl who spends her days elbow-deep in horse vaginas."
"That's not even—you know what, I'm not engaging with you." Grace closes her laptop with more force than necessary. "I haveactualwork to do at actual ranches with actual animals who have more brain cells than you."
"You know you love me, Princess."
"I really, really don't."
Phantom's voice cuts through: "Shadow. Shut up."
Shadow grins but steps back, hands raised in surrender.
Phantom stands, walks over, extends his hand to Helle. "I'm Phantom. President here."
"Helle." She takes his hand, shakes firmly. "I'm?—"
"His ol' lady. Yeah, we heard." Small smile. "Welcome to Sharp Shooter Ranch. You're under club protection now. That means something here."
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. You're dating a Nomad who's about to go to war. That's not easy." His eyes are kind but serious. "You prepared for that?"
"No, but I'm doing it anyway."
Phantom nods, respect clear on his face. "Good. We need more women with spines around here. Grace is carrying the whole damn load by herself."
"I heard that," Grace calls from where she's packing up her things. "And you're right."
She walks over, extends her hand to Helle. "I'mGrace. One of Phantom's daughters. Ignore Shadow—he's an idiot."
From across the room: "I heard that!"
"You were supposed to!" Grace doesn't even look at him. "You need anything—food, shower, place to sleep that's not Bravos' gross bunk—let me know."
"His bunk is fine," Helle says, and I can hear the smile in her voice.
Grace grins. "Oh, I like you. We're keeping her, Bravos."
"That's the plan."
Grace gives Helle her number, extracts a promise to text if she needs anything, glares at Shadow one more time for good measure, and heads out to her truck.
The room settles back into its pre-dinner rhythm.
Members introduce themselves—some friendly, some reserved, all respectful because I claimed her and they damn well know better.
Phantom pulls me aside while Helle's talking to one of the younger members about her bike.
"You're sure about this?" he asks quietly.
"Yeah."
"Because bringing an ol' lady into this, right before a major operation?—"
"I know. But I didn't bring her. She brought herself." I watch her across the room, laughing at something someone said. "And I'm not letting her go."
"Even if it complicates things?"
"Yep."
