Page 37 of Barristers & Bones

The man had a quick mind, and I enjoyed talking with him. When we wound down, he leaned back and sighed. “I feel like I need a cigarette, darlin’.”

I blushed and Roman growled beside me, but Heath just grinned. Before he took off to officiate the wedding, he offered to teach me how to shoot.

“You said you want to become an attorney to protect yourself. If you ever want to learn to shoot or handle a gun, I also own a shooting range off Decatur Boulevard in south Las Vegas, and I’d be happy to teach you. Give me a call and we can set it up.”

I smiled as I shook his big, callused hand. “I already know how to shoot, but thank you for the kind offer, and the tour.” I sighed and looked around. “I love this place.”

When we left the chapel, I turned to Roman as we walked to his car. “That was amazing! Okay, I won’t complain anymore about you crashing my Thanksgiving.”

Roman didn’t talk during the car ride to Ezra’s house, but I shrugged it off as him being his usual rude self. I texted Sylvie to see if she needed help with the food, but she told me she was fine and she’d meet us there.

When we walked into Ezra’s house, Kilian and Sylvie were opening champagne and setting out appetizers. He looked up and stared at Roman. “What’re you doing here?”

Kilian looked a lot like Fenn, only he didn’t have that crazy gleam in his eyes. Kilian was very literal, extremely blunt, and had no filter. If you gained weight, had an ugly shirt on, or he was about to shoot you in the head, he’d calmly inform you.

Fenn walked into the dining room with plates, silverware, and napkins. “Hey, Lulu.” He stopped when he spotted Roman. “Why the fuck would you bring Roman Fowler to Thanksgiving dinner? You’re notthathard-up, are you?”

He looked like Charlie Hunnam fromBreaking Bad. There were a few scars on his cheek, and his thick blond hair usually needed a trim. He also wore a perpetual grin, like he was either laughing at something or looking for trouble.

Roman raised his eyebrow. “Hello Fennick. Happy Thanksgiving.”

Fenn set the plates down and handed me the silverware. “It was until about ten seconds ago.”

Sylvie popped a cork and poured champagne into flutes. “Ezra invited him, and we’re all going to get along.” She stared us down.

Fenn smirked as he set the table. “Syl, that’s funny coming from you, since you’re the one who usually starts the arguments.”

I looked around. “Where’s Declan and Callum?”

She handed us each a champagne flute and nodded behind me. I turned to see the twins walk in. They were fraternal, but they both looked vaguely like the late actor Paul Walker fromFast and Furious.Declan held a twelve-pack of beer and Callum carried a bottle of whiskey. Declan spotted Roman, turned to Ezra who was walking in behind him, and held up the beer. “We’re gonna need a lot more of this if you invited the partners to Thanksgiving.”

Ezra smiled. “It’s just Roman, we’ll be fine.”

Sylvie turned to me. “What’d you think of the Wild West Wedding Chapel?”

“It’s freaking amazing. The inside is just as over-the-top as the outside, and the proprietor looks like a younger Rooster Cogburn fromTrue Grit.” I told them about Heath and the brothel collection.

Ezra set cranberry sauce and a green bean casserole on the table. “I’m sure we have a few women of ill repute in our family line somewhere too.”

Callum nodded and set the whiskey down. “Probably, and that’s an accurate description of Heath.” He turned to me and grinned. “Did Heath flash his dimples at you, and offer to teach you how to shoot?”

I stared at him in surprise. “Yes. How’d you know?”

Callum glanced at Roman and smirked. “Because he only does that if hereallylikes someone.”

Roman turned and glared at me.

Chapter 11

Luna

Setting his glass down on the table, Roman folded his arms. “Speaking of Heath, I meant what I said about not getting involved with someone while you’re interning with me.”

I pointed my finger at him. “You had to bring that up again, didn’t you? I’veneverdone that.”

He scoffed. “What about Ray and Rick at Diego’s garage? And there was Cameron, and now Heath.”

Everyone stood in the dining room, watching us with wide eyes, Fenn grinning like he enjoyed the drama. This was not the time or place for this, so I sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. I reminded myself that I wasnotgoing to let this fucker get to me. “You’re wrong. Trying to be a decent, reasonable person isn’t flirting. It also beats the hell out of being paranoid and rude.”

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