Page 143 of Beyond the Badge: Nox

“But—”

“Now!”

Both grumbled but they got up from the recliners… slowly.

“Go!” she shouted.

“I wanna visit with Grumpa!” Keenan whined.

“Another time.”

They might as well be dragging their feet on their way out of the family room. “Make sure you close your doors so I can’t hear your video games.”

And they couldn’t hear the conversation she assumed was about to occur.

Once the boys were gone, she turned to her father. “Okay, Dad, thanks for stopping by and checking on us. As you see, we’re perfectly fine and would like to finish the movie we started.”

Magnum didn’t look at her. He was too busy eyeing up Nox. More like sizing him up. Or trying to intimidate him with simply a look. “Pig, ain’t you?”

She sighed. Loudly. “Dad, we need to have a little conversation about that word. Keenan?—”

“If you’re asking if I carry a badge, I do.”

Apparently, she was going to be ignored by both men.Wonderful.

“Thought I smelled bacon on you last time you were sniffin’ ‘round here.”

Technically the last time Nox was over, they were in her bedroom and Magnum was not. But she was keeping that tidbit to herself. Especially with Nox easily within thumping distance.

“You have a problem with bacon? I’m surprised, since it looks like you can eat a whole package of it in one sitting.”

Oh shit.“Okay, well…” she started, weakly. “Can we not do this?”

“Do what?” Magnum asked, still keeping his eyes glued to Nox.

Did she really have to explain? Damn pig-headed men! “Fling insults at each other.”

“Guess you’d rather she be spending time with one of your brothers,” Nox said next.

“Biker over a badge? Fuck yeah. Not even a goddamn question.”

“Then, good thing it’s not your decision.”

“Okay…” Liyah stepped away from Nox, latched onto her father’s tree trunk sized arm and tugged on it. “Can you come with me?”

His dark brown eyes finally landed on her.

“Yes, remember me? Your oldest daughter? The one whose house you’re standing in?”

He grunted.

She went on, “The one whose decisions you might not agree with but should respect, anyway? Just like I have to do with yours?”

“Don’t like it,” Magnum grumbled.

“Then don’t date a cop,” she suggested with a shrug.

“Datin’?” he exploded.

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