Page 83 of Under the Influence

I glance back at the dogs watching us from the bushes and then notice more lurking near Court’s house. One of the animals might be the furry friend Clover’s been craving.

After we finish eating, Edith wants to show me her room. Her parents agree, but then Donovan adds, “Okay, but then I get to talk to your boyfriend before you leave.”

Edith glances at me like I might be in trouble. I take her hand and gesture at the house.

“Let me see where you grew up.”

We walk through the back double doors into a welcoming family room stuffed with chairs and couches.

“This is where I watch movies with my family. I also flipped out right here yesterday,” Edith explains and points at the wall. “There’s where I threw my flip-flop for some reason.”

“Were you crying when this happened?”

“Mostly squealing.”

“Like you do in bed?”

“No, more high-pitched and crazed.”

“Is it weird that I want to see you do that now?”

“Yes, it is,” Edith says, grinning at my teasing before taking my hand and guiding me down a hallway.

Edith’s bedroom is exactly what I expect with pale blue walls and a pink comforter. Everything is gently feminine. I imagine she’ll want to tweak things at my house to give it more of her style.

“I masturbated to you in this bed,” Edith murmurs.

Tugging her onto the bed, I stretch out. “Let me see what mattress firmness you’re accustomed to.”

Edith laughs, cuddling closer. We kiss and roll around for just enough to get ourselves riled up with no relief in sight.

Once we return to the back deck, Donovan suggests, “Double check your overnight bag, Edith. Duke and I are going to talk a bit.”

As Edith heads inside, I follow her father off the deck toward the pond. We stand next to the water for a minute while he pretends to ignore me.

Suddenly, his gaze lands on me and narrows. “Does your home have space for Edith and the baby?”

I’m surprised by how he doesn’t mention the sneaking around or how he knew. I realize right then how he’s a man who keeps his secrets.

“Yes,” I say, choosing not to sell the attributes of my home or property. Donovan isn’t a man who will take my word for anything. “You should come over for dinner this week. Bring your boys and their women. That way you can see the setup for yourself.”

Donovan offers a curt nod, but I think he appreciates how I don’t expect him to believe me. We’re essentially strangers who’ve spent decades distrusting each other. Now, I’m claiming his only daughter.

Scanning the horizon, Donovan says, “I’ll be square with you. I don’t think Rawkfist needs this alliance. Not right now, anyway.”

When I don’t react to his words, he continues, “Emmett’s ma still does the books for the Charleston club. She knows where their money is hidden. They won’t want to piss her off by coming here and threatening Emmett.”

“Did you tell Court your views on the situation?”

“The day you approached us, I told him how we didn’t need the alliance. It’s not just Emmett’s mom, either. My family runs the Sheriff’s Department. Coming in here and killing me won’t give the Charleston club what they want. Rawkfist is safe.”

“But Court went along with the alliance.”

“Well, he didn’t have much of a choice, did he?” Donovan asks and glances toward Emmett and Poppy’s house. “Val planned to marry Lola. Even if the deal fell through, he would become a member of your family. That meant, your problems were our problems.”

“Why are you telling me this now?”

“You and I haven’t shared a single conversation in our lives. We both grew up in this area. I’ve known about you for most of my life. Yet, before Edith and you started up together, I had no reason to reach out and be friendly.”

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