Page 29 of Swan

He lifted my hand and kissed the back of it. “It’ll be fine.”

“Sure,” I said, and my voice shook from the uncertainty. At least he was willing to walk into the lion’s den.

I hoped he survived.

Dad had already talked to him, which Lockland was tight-lipped about. I’d asked on the way to the hotel, but he’d just smiled and said it was between them.

At least it seemed Dad hadn’t scared him off. That meant Lockland could get through this, right?

When we reached the compound, we got stopped outside the gates by Stoke, who walked up to the driver’s side of the car.

“Who’re you?” he asked when Lockland wound down the window.

I leaned over and waved. “Hi, Stoke.”

“Little lady, what’s happenin’? Who’s this punk you’re with? Blink twice if he kidnapped you.” He grinned.

Rolling my eyes, I said, “Would he really bring me here if I were being kidnapped?”

Stoke eyed Lockland. “He looks stupid. He?—”

“Stoke! Please let us in.”

He straightened, chuckling, and waved to whomever was manning the gate. When it slid open, Lockland nodded at Stoke and drove through.

“That’s probably what it’s going to be like,” I warned. I would try to protect him as much as I could, but in this place, you never knew what could happen.

He parked and turned to me. “I’m fully expecting it. I can handle a bit of teasing, Swan. Nothing and no one will make me run, okay?”

“Okay.”

He leaned over and kissed me, just a peck, but it was enough to get my pulse racing. Also, it was probably best we didn’t get too hot and bothered in the car in front of the compound, or else Lockland could get dragged off somewhere.

The common room was rowdy like always, but as soon as Lockland and I stepped through hand in hand, everyone went silent.

My face heated even when I narrowed my gaze on them all.

“Hey, everyone,” Lockland called, and I looked up at him, eyes wide. “Some might remember me, but for those who don’t, I’m Lockland Humphrey, and, in one way or another, I’m going to be in Swan’s life from here on out.”

The silence stretched.

But then I heard Mum yell, “Stop being arseholes.” She stepped out of the group and came towards us. “You got balls, kid,” she said, and I groaned, palming my still-on-fire face.

The noise rose, and Mum thumbed over her shoulder. “Let’s get a drink.”

Lockland glanced down, and I nodded, smiling softly up at him. We went to the bar Coyote stood behind.

“Goddamn superstar in the house,” he yelled. “You all know he’s a singer, right?”

Murmurs started.

“Maybe he and Ryan could sing together,” Emmy said quietly at my side.

A deep chuckle sounded. “Baby doll, I ain’t singin’ with a superstar. You could end up likin’ his voice more.”

Emmy spun around to her man, Warden. “No. I would never.”

He cupped the back of her head and drew her into a kiss.

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