Page 25 of Property of Riptide
“That’d be her,” I attest. “She’s a raving bitch.”
“She is, Rip. She also happens to be Clyde’s niece. I’ve warned him about her before and he’s had a talk with her. What’d she do this time?”
I lay it out for him and am unable to keep my anger from seeping through. He hisses through his teeth, then corroborating to me the fact that it’s the same way she treated Issy the last time he brought her here. “Told him I wouldn’t be back if this shit kept up. I’m gonna call him now and tell him about your experience with Carly. I doubt you’ll be paying a dime for your meal.”
“What’s her deal, anyway?” I ask.
“She’s a buckle chaser,” Rio tells me.
“I’m not wearing one, brother,” I banter.
“But I’m sure she recognized the last name on the reservation,” Rio debates. “She knows we’re related by that alone.”
“She needs to watch her tongue or I’m gonna cut it out,” I relay.
“I’ll make the call. I doubt you see hide or hair of her again, cousin.”
“That’d be a good thing, Rio.”
“I’ll see that it’s done.” He disconnects without another word and I quickly turn on my heels and head back to Van.
When I make it to the table, she’s lounged back against the backrest, patting her belly. “I ordered our meal and appetizer. I didn’t know what you’d want to drink so he said he’d be back once he sees you sit down.”
“I’m not drinking tonight since I’m carrying precious cargo in the truck. Water or a soft drink will work for me.”
Her eyes soften as she looks at me. “That’s one of the sweetest things anyone’s ever said to me.”
“You deserve to hear things like that every day, Van.” I’m not sure where this side of me is coming from, I’ve never acted like this or treated a woman this way, but as long as she keeps looking at me how she is at this moment, I hope it sticks.
We’re both stuffed and in food comas when we make it back to Van’s rental. When we arrive, Zoey and Indiana are lounging on the porch swing, cuddled up to one another.
“The kids and Icer are conked out. They didn’t make it to the credits before every one of them started snoring. He wouldn’t let us do anything with the kids, he’s not as good at sharing as he claims to be,” Zoey tells us.
“There’s something about the kids that have his protective instincts kicking into high gear,” I muse.
“They’re the most vulnerable and innocent of us,” Van adds. “We’re all like that to an extent, he just takes it a step further than we do.”
“They’re more susceptible to danger,” Indiana adds, mulling things over. “It makes sense that he’d be overly protective of them.”
“Not to mention, he’d want to make sure they aren’t being abused in any way. It’s why he inserts himself so freely into their lives,” Zoey says. “Makes me love him more.”
“If I had to choose someone to be Gagey’s protector, it’d be him,” Van confesses.
“He’d take a bullet for us, but he’d raze the world for them,” I state. “But I have to admit, I worry if his attachment to them is a healthy one.”
“It’s a gift, Riptide. Don’t over analyze it because if you do, it’ll possibly drive you to the point of insanity,” Van suggests. “Abusevictims latch onto vulnerable people, it’s a tactic that keeps them grounded. Right now, in my opinion, it hasn’t gone to an unhealthy place so let him enjoy his time with the kids.”
“I’ll take your suggestion under advisement, Van, but I’m going to keep an eye on him,” I reply. “I don’t want him to keep them from spreading their wings.”
“I agree with that, Riptide. Kids have to learn from their mistakes and we can’t keep them from making them so they can learn and grow,” Van asserts.
“As long as those lessons aren’t a danger to them,” Indiana adds. “Fuck knows I could’ve used someone like Icer growing up.”
“We all could have, brother,” I say. “Would’ve saved me from a broken arm.”
“So we’re all in agreement? We let him learn alongside them when it comes to what he can and can’t prevent from happening?” Zoey asks.
“It’s going to be a curve for all of us,” I mumble. “We’ll want to step in but we need to reserve that instinct for when it’s necessary.”
