Page 30 of Protector Daddy

I zipped my lips shut, something I should have done before I entered the restaurant.

“He did not.” She pulled out her phone. “He better not. He didn’t even bring Vanessa for dinner yet.”

“He was too busy knocking her up.”

My mother’s head jerked up and I shut my eyes and wished I wasn’t so bitter he’d left me out. Maybe next time he’d at least buy my silence since he obviously didn’t care if his baby sister got to throw some damn rice.

“I mean, it’s the Cove,” I said weakly. “It’s just an educated guess. I’m not saying—”

“Honey Belle, don’t you lie to me.”

“I had sex last night.”

Maverick should feel guilty that I was willingly throwing myself under the parental bus to keep from sticking his head under the tire. Okay, fine, I was the one who sold him out in the first place, but I didn’t get much sleep due to said sex and thunderstorms and emotional turmoil. I was also on a spree of making questionable choices.

“Aha! So that’s why you were late. You’re never late. Who did you have sex with? Do your father and I know him?” She blew out a breath that ruffled her neat bangs. “Please tell me you used protection. Preferably multiple kinds.”

“I’m not a dummy, Mom.” All right, maybe I was a little bit of a dummy. But not as much as my siblings.

I hoped.

“No, but you’re of childbearing age. I can’t handle any more grandchildren now. I want them as much as anyone, but I’ve barely had a chance to dote on sweet little Presley.”

“Oh, sure, your precious Brady always comes first. Mav and I are always the ones pulling up the rear.”

Okay, now I knew I was sleep-deprived. What was I arguing for the right to do, give her unplanned grandchildren?

I grabbed a menu from behind the napkin dispenser. “I’m thinking a margarita. What say you?”

“It’s not even one pm.”

“So? I need tequila.” Possibly a vat of it.

My mother waved her phone. “I’m calling Mav.”

“It’s rude to talk on the phone when you’re having lunch with me.”

Which is how the brother I was barely talking to and my new sister-in-law ended up cramming into our booth a half hour later, looking entirely sexed and happy and very annoying.

“You told her?” Mav demanded, staring at me as if I’d committed a huge betrayal. “We were going to tell you, Mom, but Van’s pregnant—”

“Jeez, a little subtlety, hey?” Van said out of the side of her mouth. “He didn’t marry me because I’m knocked up. I actually asked him first.”

“Only because I didn’t want to rush you.”

“Yeah, well, tell your kid I need space and time, huh? Seems like he or she doesn’t much care. Also, I don’t need any space or time. I’m perfectly happy with our pace.” She held out her hand, wiggling her ring finger for us. It was a larger piece done in silver and turquoise with a bejeweled hummingbird. “Custom made for me. Isn’t it perfect?”

I made a noncommittal sound while my mother sat there stoically as if her last child had just been sent into battle and she didn’t know if he’d be found alive.

“Can you two give us a break? We would’ve loved to have everyone with us but we had to get a favor from the Chief just to get the court manager there so we could get it done legally. And Tab and Brady brought Presley so you know there was enough chaos—”

“Glad to know your sister, mother, and father represent chaos to you, Maverick. But I’m sure you have your reasons. You know, on second thought, Honey, I’m feeling like salad. We should try that new salad bar down the street.”

“Sounds fab to me.” I nudged Van and she slid out of our side of the booth to give me room to leave.

But she didn’t slip aside quietly.

“Honey kissed Christian yesterday! And he had his mouth on her boob in the police station!”

---