Page 66 of Ghost

I shake my head because, of course, he did. “Sorry to break it to you, sweetheart, but your daddy doesn’t know everything.”

“Daddy’s the smartest. He knows. If Daddy says you’re going to marry her, he means it. And I can tell you crush her, Uncle Marcus.”

“I crush her?”

“That’s what it means when you like someone. You crush them.” She tips her chin up proudly. “You crush Auntie Luna.”

As if she’s been summoned, the back gate swings open, and Austin runs through it, with Tempe and Luna following behind him. Luckily, it’s a good distraction, and Bea bails the second she sees Austin to go play with him.

But I sit back, watching Luna and Tempe walk across the yard, hearing Bea’s words like they’re on repeat in my head.

You crush Auntie Luna.

I do.

It’s a fucking problem, and there’s no fixing it.

Tempe leans closer to Luna to whisper something that they both giggle at. Their eyes are set on me, and I’m pretty sure it’s only a matter of time before the whole clubhouse finds out what we did.

“Hey, Ghost.” Tempe gives me a devious smile as she stops at the chairs. “Where’s Legacy?”

“Inside on the phone.”

She nods, turning to Luna. “I’m gonna let him know I’m here, then we can grab the kids and go.”

Tempe disappears into the house, and Luna drops into the chair Bea was sitting in.

“Are you leaving with Legacy tonight?” she asks, her gaze fixed on the kids running around the yard.

“Yep.”

“Be safe.”

“Always am.”

Except tonight feels different. Usually, when I’m out on a run, all I’m worried about are the men at my side. Protecting them is my sole focus and all that matters. Now, when I look at Luna, knowing she’ll be here without me, I can’t help wishing I could split myself in two. If anything happens at the club while I’m gone, I won’t be there.

“You and Tempe were awfully giddy a few minutes ago. Anything I should know?”

Luna bites her lip, glancing at me. Her purple hair is down and curled at her shoulders, and her tank top shows off her perfect skin.

“We were just talking.” Worry flashes in her eyes. “I swear she won’t tell anyone about us.”

I reach out, grabbing Luna’s hand and pulling it onto my lap. “I’m not asking because I’m ashamed, Luna. Just curious.”

“Oh. Okay.” Her eyebrows pinch.

“What?”

“It’s just, I know you don’t date people. Or… do anything like what we did.”

I can’t help but chuckle at her innocence when I know just how dirty and straightforward she can be in other situations.

“So?”

“So, I guess I thought that would mean you’d rather keep this quiet so the guys don’t bug you.”

“They’re dicks. They’ll bug me either way.” I kiss the back of her hand. “They’re also my brothers. They’ll say what they want, but they mean well. Their judgment isn’t what keeps me single.”

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