Page 45 of Law

This was not his Lovelyn. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but based on what he knew of her time in California and the fact she’d changed her name, he’d be willing to bet it had something to do with her stepdad. He couldn’t deal with her reaction to Raleigh at the moment. But her name, he could. “Her name isn’t Thorne; it’s Reese.”

“Oh, sorry about that. Ms. Reese, if you have a law degree, I’d love to speak with you.”

Lovelyn sat up but remained pressed against his chest. Her entire body trembled. Whatever this topic triggered was huge. Yet, to hear her voice, no one would ever know. A lake on a windless day showed more agitation than his girl. He’d have to remember that.

Shaking her head, she said, “I have a degree, but I’m not a real lawyer.”

“What do you mean?” Zane asked. “You graduated Valedictorian from Berkeley School of Law. You earned one of the highestscores on the bar exam in California's record. How could you not be a real lawyer?”

She reached for a smile but missed it. “I appreciate the accolades, but you’ll just have to take my word for it. Besides, I’ve never actually practiced in a court of law. And California’s bar exam is only valid in California. I can’t officially practice, but I’d be happy to go through some of the boxes if that would help.”

Law was impressed. She’d shut that down without offending anyone. Sounded like a good quality for a lawyer. He wrapped his arm around her, hoping it would calm her. It might help, but he knew something that would help a hell of a lot more. “You ready to go home, babygirl?”

She continued to stare at the table, but she nodded. That was all she had to do.

“All right. We’re headed home. It’s been a hell of a day. Hell of a four days, really. Raleigh, call me tomorrow. We’ll set something up if you need help with those documents. I want to do whatever it takes to get Jaxon home. I’m tired of talking to him two Sundays a month.”

Raleigh didn’t hide his disappointment well for a lawyer. He must be worried, and that wasn’t good.

Law stood and set Lovelyn on her feet, but he didn’t let go of her hand. “You’re on my bike, right?” Zane nodded. Good. “Do you need to come by the house and pack a bag?”

Zane shook his head. “I’ve got a few things already. I’ll run by your place tomorrow and pick up whatever else I’ll need.”

Sawyer threw Law a smirk, and Zane grinned down at his phone. Yeah, Sawyer would be giving Law shit for months. That was fine if it meant he’d have some time alone with Lovelyn. She needed to relax, and he knew exactly how he could help.

CHAPTER 17

Law scanned the parking lot as he guided Lovelyn to his truck. Lifting her onto the seat, he buckled her in, tugging on the seatbelt twice to ensure it was secure. He waited for her to protest his overprotectiveness.

Excessive? Maybe, but he had learned the hard way not to take chances with the people he cared about — and he cared about Lovelyn deeply.

She’d giggled all the way to the truck. It sounded musical, like tiny bells, and it was the cutest damn thing he’d ever heard. Even though she wasn’t drunk, he had swept her into his arms and carried her bridal style the rest of the way to his truck.

The Musketiaras had celebrated their newly extended bedtime with a drink Lovelyn had told them about called a Red Hot Lemon Drop. He stopped her after two. He didn’t want to risk the Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey going straight to her head. His fairy cat drank just enough to relax her, which would help her enjoy the rest of the afternoon.

Once he was sure she was fastened in and settled, he asked, “Are you readyto go, fairy cat?”

She nodded, reaching up to adjust her new Musketiara crown, only to gasp in realization that it wasn’t there. “Oh no! I forgot my crown! I can’t leave without it, Daddy. What if they think I don’t want it? They’ll take it back. That can’t happen.”

Lovelyn reached to unclasp her seatbelt, but Law stayed her hand. She tried and failed to pull her hand from his grasp. “Daddy! I have to go back inside and get it.”

“You stay where I put you, little girl. I’ll go get your tiara. Do not unhook that seatbelt. I’ll be right back.”

“You’re… you’re the best Viking Daddy ever. How can I ever thank you?”

“Mm-hmm. You just be a good girl and wait for me until I get back. You can thank me when we get home.”

She nodded, but he engaged the childproof safety lock just to be sure.

When he went back inside, Connor and Gage were helping Hutch clean up. They grinned when he headed for the tiara on the closest table.

“Figured you’d be back. I like your girl, by the way. You two are a good pair,” Connor said.

Though unnecessary, it still felt good to have his brother’s approval.

Gage agreed. “Yep. I’d say she's one of the good ones.”

Hutch smirked. “If I agree too, will it get me punched?”

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