Page 108 of Wild Card

Rowan gives me a concerned look before answering hesitantly, “Yes.”

“That’s really kind. Thank you.”

I wrap my arms around her shoulders and kiss her forehead. “Maybe we should be worried if you’re handing out gratitude so easily.”

She pinches my side, her eyes narrowing, and any sadness melts away. “Shut up.”

“Your nephew is adorable.” Harley walks up with Levi in her arms.

“Thanks, I think so, too.” Willow glances fondly at Wyatt on the field. He hits another line drive off the tee, and she claps with a little cheer.

He beams our way. “Did you see that, Uncle Talon?”

I nod, flicking my fingers to the ball.

“Oh, Jeez, here come the waterworks.” Jewls joins us with Koby.

“He called you Uncle Talon.” Harley’s voice cracks as tears brim her eyes.

“She’s a little emotional these days,” Rowan explains.

“My grandma’s fault. She instigated that. Wyatt doesn’t understand the meaning.”

“He understands,” I counter.

“Grandma should have asked you first. We shouldn’t put ideas in his head.”

I spear her with a glance, wishing we didn’t have an audience.

“You should invite your grandparents tonight,” Rowan swiftly changes the subject.

“What’s tonight?” Willow asks before I can shut it down.

“Cook-out at the club. Low-key and casual. My cousin and some friends from work are stopping by. We already invited your dad, brother, and Bex. There will be other kids there for Wyatt to play with.” Harley avoids my glare.

Low-key and casual, my ass. Her friends from work with kids means one thing.

A fucking party.

“Invite your grandparents along.”

“Give us a second.” I tug Willow far enough away from prying ears and link my hands around her waist, caging her to me.

“What’s wrong?” She searches my face.

“You tell me.”

“I’m fine.”

“What was that a few minutes ago? You went somewhere in your head.”

She casts her gaze over my shoulder and pulls her lip through her teeth. “I was touched. Rowan owns a freaking product line and everyone raves over her work. She whipped up a serum for my head. After my disaster in her salon yesterday and my ridiculous display of hysterics—twice—she still thought of me. I’ve done nothing to deserve her kindness.”

Anger burns at the way she’s turned the situation around. Chase’s warning rings in my ears. “Yesterday wasn’t your disaster. That shit happened because your sister is a spoiled bitch who tried to throw her weight around and it backfired. You are the only one who blames yourself.”

She jerks at my annoyance and tries to wriggle away. “Talon, I didn’t mean?—”

“Quiet, Princess, you need to understand this. Rowan did what she did because that’s the kind of woman she is. She loves fiercely. Sometimes pushing boundaries.”

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