Page 64 of Beyond the Badge: Nox

“Both of them?”

“Yes. Keenan might not be their blood, but he might as well be. They accepted him as their own.”

“You said Keenan’s father split, but what about his family?”

“They’re no better than Jason.” She sighed. “Anyway, family doesn’t have to be blood. I’m grateful my sons have three sets of grandparents.”

“Three?”

“My father and stepmother. My mother and her husband. Mark’s parents.”

“How much does Keenan know about his father?”

“Not much. I keep it vague since he’s only seven. If he asks questions, I answer them as carefully as possible without actually lying. When he’s older, I’ll tell him the complete truth. I wouldn’t put it past the kid to go search for his father once he turns eighteen and I want him to be prepared that he will most likely be rejected.”

“Damn,” Nox whispered.

She glanced back toward the empty street before swinging her gaze back to the man standing in her yard. “Anyway, now that my house is empty, why don’t you come inside?”

“I should go.”

“You keep saying that but you’re still here. You could’ve left while I was inside, you didn’t. You came here for a reason, and it wasn’t to return a cheap plastic container. Especially when I can easily buy a whole pack of replacements at the dollar store. So, are you going to keep lying to yourself on why you dug up my address and stopped over?”

ChapterFourteen

Liyah watched his chest expand,hold for a few seconds and finally collapse. “I don’t know why.”

“Yes, you do. We both do.”

His hazel eyes turned toward her. “What’s the reason, then?”

“To take me for a ride.”

His eyebrows pinched together. “On my Harley?”

“Not unless you named your cock Harley.” So much for not spooking him. She wanted to word it more carefully but half the blood running through her veins came from Magnum.

The king of not being subtle.

Nox’s head twitched. “What?”

If he started running, she might have to trip him to give her enough time to plead her case. “Well… The boys aren’t here, but you are. I feel like I should be taking advantage of that.”

“By taking advantage of me?”

“I figured it would be mutual. You can’t deny we’re attracted to each other. Or that we have a connection. If you do, you’d be lying.”

“Do you normally proposition men in your yard?”

“Only when my milkshake brings all the boys to it.” At least she didn’t sing that catchy song.

“I…” He seemed to glitch again. “What?”

She laughed and shook her head. “Nothing. It was a joke that didn’t come off quite as I’d hoped. This is why I’m in real estate and not on stage doing standup. Anyway… Since you’re here, you might as well come inside.”

“I… can’t.”

“Oh, you can. You just don’t want to.”

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