“So, you and Ellie?” Damon says, crossing his arms and staring at me. “Knew you had a thing for her, but thought you’d at least give me a chance.”

I grunt, and keep shoveling the dirt as I make a garden bed in the yard. This old house needs maintenance, and it’s about time someone started doing it. I use the back of my hand to swipe the sweat from my forehead, and then glance at Damon as I toss the dirt off the end of the shovel.

“Both you and I know, she’s always been mine.”

Damon huffs. “Fine, just this once I’ll let you have one. It isn’t easy for women to resist my charm, so it’s only fair you get a win every now and then.”

I chuckle, “Thanks a fuckin’ lot, brother.”

Damon grins. “You’re welcome, but, if you hurt her and she runs away from this family, I’ll hurt you, Slater. She’s special to us. Don’t fuck it up.”

I straighten and stare at him, holding his eyes. Know exactly what Ellie means to each and every member of this family, hell even dad adores her. I wouldn’t do anything to fuck that up. Because they need her. Almost as much as I do.

“Hear you, loud and clear.”

Damon nods and then stares down at me. “And for fuck sakes, put a shirt on. How are the rest of us supposed to rope in chicks when you’re getting around with the guns out. Give us a fair chance.”

I laugh and whack him in the shoulder, and with a grin, he turns and struts off. Damon hasn’t filled out yet, but I know when he does, he’ll be a big guy, he’s already broad across the shoulders for his age. Runs in the family, really. Lincoln is already nearly at his full size, and he’s fuckin’ huge. I’m getting there.

More of this shoveling will help.

“Slater.”

I look up and see Lincoln coming around the back of the house, blood pouring from so many areas on his face I don’t know where to start. I drop the shovel and move quickly, reaching him in a flash. He’s in a bad way, messed up.

“What the fuck, Lincoln? What happened?”

“Won a fight, got a lot of cash, that’s what happened.”

I stare at him. “You won a fuckin’ fight? Don’t look like it.”

He glares at me, even through all the blood.

“And what the fuck do you mean you’re fighting? Where? For who?”

“Doesn’t matter,” he growls. “It’s extra cash, want you to do a few rounds. You got it in you, Slater. You’d kick ass in there.”

I shake my head. “Fuck no, you’re playing with fire, brother. Sellin’ drugs, now this...”

“Yeah,” he hisses, “And are all the bills paid? Food on our table? Dad covered?”

I grit my teeth, because he’s right, the cash he’s bringing in, it’s good. It’s solid. It gives us more than what we need.

“You’re goin’ to get yourself killed, or worse...someone else.”

Lincoln’s eyes flare, and he leans in, I can smell the coppery blood. “Never let anything happen to a single person in this family, Slater, so don’t you fuckin’ worry about it.”

“And when is it goin’ to stop?”

“Soon.”

He steps past me and walks towards the house. “And what if that trouble follows you here?” I yell at him.

“It fuckin’ won’t, stay out of it, Slater.”

Fuck.

I’m tired of him pushing me aside.

Anger bubbles in my chest, but I say nothing more.

Because it’s a fight I won’t win, he’s made that fuckin’ clear.

I turn around and start shoveling again, this time harder, and angrier.

“What did that shovel ever do to you, Slater Knight?”

I look up, panting and dripping with sweat, to see Ellie leaning over the fence, her arms hanging on, her big smile lighting up everything she’s around.

“What are you doin’ climbin’ fences, darlin’. If you fall and break a bone, then we can’t go out later.”

Her eyes light up. “You’re taking me out?”

“Man’s gotta get a kiss somehow,” I grin at her.

She laughs, and it’s sweet, and carefree, and fuck I need her.

“Get over here and give me a hug,” I order, voice raspy at the thought of burying my nose in her neck and breathing her in.

“Ew,” she scrunches up her nose. “Have you seen yourself?”

I glance down at my body, covered in dirt and sweat, and then look back up. “Right now I’m every woman’s fantasy, darlin’.”

She laughs and shakes her head. “No sir, you aren’t. But, considering you don’t ask for a hug often...”

She climbs over the fence, and I have a hard time not looking at the way her short shorts hug her ass. She lands on her two feet, and then spins and strides towards me. When she reaches me, she leans up on her tiptoes, and presses her lips to my cheek. Then she steps backwards, “A compromise.”

“Baby,” I murmur, voice husky. “That ain’t no compromise. That’s how a mother kisses her son.”

She grins, and leans forward and then comes up on her toes again, pressing her lips to mine. It’s only a second, but fuck me if it isn’t the best second of my damned life. Then she pulls back, looking up at me through hooded lashes. “I have to go...”

“You’re fuckin’ killing me, woman. I’ll see you tonight, be ready at seven.”

She grins. “I’ll be ready at six thirty.”

I grin back.

Yeah.

Fuckin’ love her.