Page 29 of Soaring Free
“We get it, we’ve been wrapped around that little girl’s finger from day one. Is she feeling better? Dad mentioned she had strep again last week,” Ryan chimes in.
“Yeah, the antibiotics kicked in quick, and she was bouncing back within twenty-four hours. I guess half her class got it this round,” Walker responds as he sits next to me at the poker table.
“Good. Keep us in the loop, and if she needs anything, you let one of us know.” Jack’s statement is just that, it’s not a question. I know I’m close to Pippa and Van, but I feel like the Callahans take it to another level.
“You call and The Cavalry shows up,” Ryan says.
Finn nods. “Without question.”
“And without hesitation,” Liam adds before they all raise their drinks in a cheers. I follow along, not sure if I just joined a cult but hopefully there isn’t a blood oath, unless we get matching outfits. That could be fun. I keep my face neutral, though I can’t help but imagine Liam and Jack in matching outfits, barefoot, and howling at the moon.
Walker leans over. “It’s kind of their family motto. You’ll get used to it.”
“I’m just here to hang out and play some poker, it’s all good.”
Walker studies me for a second before smiling. “Okay, sure. We can go with that for now.” Does he know I keep imagining kissing Savannah? Or how she’s been dominating my thoughts since I met her the other week? I mean, no one could blame me. Savannah is not only a gorgeous woman, but she is a spitfire, and I suspect our chemistry would be off the charts.
Liam’s eyes narrow and I briefly wonder if the man can read my thoughts.
Dude is intense, and clearly protective of his family, but I also kind of get it too. If he knew some of the thoughts I had about his sister, and especially what I would like to do with his sister, I’d probably be flat on my back with a sore jaw, but I’m almostpositive that it would be worth it if it meant getting to kiss Savannah Callahan-Williams.
Yep. Sore jaw would be totally worth it, even a black eye or two.
Liam snaps me out of my thoughts. “Before Finn deals the first hand, I need to know—I think we all need to know.”Shit, he knows I want his sister.“What happened after the hearing yesterday? I saw the video footage but couldn’t make out everything that was said beyond Shane yelling, ‘Get your hands off my fucking wife!’ for all to hear.”Oh good, he just wants to talk about her asshole ex. That’s much safer territory.
“Actually, for the record, he yelled, ‘Harrington! Get your fucking hands off my wife!’” Walker says and I turn to look at him.How the hell does he know what Shane yelled at me?
“If you’re going to hang out with the Callahans, especially at their poker games, you have to know how they operate. We’ve all seen the video footage. I don’t ask questions I don’t want to know the answers to, and if that’s an issue, this isn’t the poker game for you.” Walker is saying so much more with that statement than his words at face value. He tilts his head side to side. “Boundaries are … subjective? Especially when it comes to protecting their family.” Savannah’s brothers all nod in agreement.
Yep, I think I joined a cult. But if that means I get to spend time with Savannah and get to know her better—and maybe even kiss her someday—then shave my head, take my shoes, and point me to the field where I need to howl at the moon.
A woman like Savannah Callahan-Williams is worth it.
Chapter seventeen
When Pippa mentioned she needed to have a courier deliver some updated paperwork to Savannah, I personally volunteered for the job. It’s been one week since I had lunch with Savannah, and that woman has not been far from my thoughts ever since. My sister may not know about the growing feelings I’m having for Savannah, but Pippa quickly figured out that my interest in the case is more than just because I loathe Shane Williams.
“Is this going to be an issue, Theo?” Pippa asks me. She isn’t mad, but her no-bullshit tone and piercing stare would intimidate most people.
“It won’t, Pippa, I promise. You’re her attorney, I’m just helping out if you need it and for fun to stick it to Shane. But I promise you, anything that develops between Savannah and me has nothing to do with her soon-to-be ex-husband—not that anything will happen before their divorce is finalized anyway.”
Pippa points at me like she’s scolding a child. “I like her Theo; I don’t want to see her get hurt.”
“I like her too, but I promise you, it is not my intention to hurt her in any way. In fact, it’s closer to say that my intention would be to protect her from being hurt further than she already has been by that douche canoe.”
My juvenile name calling makes my sister laugh. “I believe you. I just had to check. And Shane Williams might be the definition of a douche canoe. I also don’t want to make Jack Callahan mad because that will in turn reflect on Daphne, and I don’t want to face her wrath.” She shudders. “I will throw you under the bus to her faster than you can say ‘habeas corpus’ threetimes fast.”
I put my palms up in front of me. “She scares me, Pip. And I am man enough to admit it.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tell me something I don’t know. Okay, fine. You can deliver the documents, but Theodore Ares Smith-Harrington, you will not hurt her. I’m speaking to you as your sister, her attorney, and hopefully her friend when this is all said and done. Cool girlfriends are hard to find after thirty, don’t fuck this up for me.”
“I hear you, and I promise I have only good intentions when it comes to her.” Well, not all good and pure intentions. There are definitely some naughty and dirty things I’d like to do with her, but we both would be consenting adults about it and there is zero chance I will ever be discussing those details with my little sister.
“I saw that look, Theo. I don’t want to know what you’re thinking so get out of here before I change my mind. And tell her to call or text me if she has any questions!” Pippa calls after me but I’m already out the door with a little zest in my step because I’m on my way to see the gorgeous bombshell who has completely captivated me.
I pull into her driveway and take in her house as I get out of my SUV and walk up to her front porch. The two-story charcoal-gray house has extensive and beautiful landscaping with large traditional ivory shutters framing the windows. The front step has a wooden “Welcome” sign, and while it may be the largest property on the block, it has a warmth to it that makes it feel like a home. I ring the doorbell and notice the security camera tucked in the corner of the porch’s overhang. Smart girl.
“Well, hello, Theo.” Savannah grins as she opens the door. “To what do I owe this surprise?” I should answer her right away, but she shocked the damn breath right out of me. She answered the door barefoot wearing skintight blue jeans paired with a deep redV-neck tank that plunges, showing off her insane cleavage. Her long blonde hair is in a soft braid over one shoulder, and she looks like she walked out of my most patriotic wet dream. I’m forced to take a step and attempt to adjust the pressure before I embarrass myself. Taking a deep breath in through my nose, I try to will the blood to stop rushing to my dick.
