CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Riggs
Twinkling lights canopied the restaurant’s outdoor patio over his head. Soft Mexican music filled the air from the speakers hidden in the trees around the group of former Knights, including a few current ones.
A rare gathering of all his friends.
Renner, Dorian, and Roarke congregated around the main bar vying for the center of conversation. Bennett stood beside Renner, casually listening.
“This place is awesome,” Grace said as she sat next to Riggs and Skylar at a patio table. Dorian’s girlfriend set down her oversized margarita. “Kudos to your nurse friends for the recommendation. I never knew this area of town existed.”
The old historic white house had been converted into a popular Mexican restaurant known for their top-of-the-line margaritas and famous enchiladas. Off to the side of the patio, a fountain with a trio of marble cherubs stretching their arms to the sky gave a more intimate atmosphere, water trickling from a vase in the middle.
“Careful with those,” Skylar chimed in, nodding to the margarita in Grace’s hand. “I’ve been told they go straight to your head.”
“Perfect.” Grace took another sip, and pushed back her cocoa brown hair, her cobalt eyes glittering under the lights.
Dorian came up behind her, and snuck in a kiss on her neck. “There you are.”
“Here I am.”
“How’s it feel to join the former Knights club?" D asked, his smile cutting across his dark, scruffy chin.
“Pretty damn awesome.” Riggs pulled Skylar into his shoulder.
She squeezed his wrist, and plopped a few kisses on his lips. So sweet, with a tinge of salt from her drink.
The way she’d accepted him for everything he was, including his flaws, made their connection that much more important to hold onto.
“Vaughn sends his congrats from Miami. And his apologies he can’t make it.”
“What’s he up to?” Riggs asked.
“He and Cora have become the talk of the art world following her big discovery. The legal fallout behind her—” He cleared his throat. “Previous profession is still churning, though.”
“That part I don’t want to know.” He snickered. “We warned him ahead of time, didn’t we?”
“Yes, we did. But can you blame him? Can you blame her?”
Renner carried over a tray filled with beers and shots, and set them on the table. “Speaking of Vaughn, this round is on him. Drink up, fellas.”
Riggs chuckled. “We should put the whole bar tab on him tonight.” He held up his beer in a toast.
“Amen to that.” Renner lifted his beer.
The fellow Marine and former bodyguard had spent only a year with the Knights agency before he’d fallen for his now-wife, Cassie.
As much as Riggs missed having his friend in the same tight unit they used to be, Renner had never fully embraced the lifestyle. He’d just needed the right motivation in life. He’d found that in Cassie.
“How’s married life treating you?” Riggs asked, rubbing his hand along Skylar's arm.
“What can I say? The good life is in the 'burbs.”
“Speak for yourself,” Dorian replied. “Still plenty of good life in the city.”
“Where’s Cassie?” Grace asked. “Did she stay home with Landon?”
“She wasn’t feeling too well,” Renner said. “First trimester is really draining her energy.”
“Congrats!” Riggs shook his hand. "Didn’t take long for you to turn into the shit husband. Leave your wife at home while you live it up.”
“Don’t be a jackass. She forced me to come, told me to give Grace a hug.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and squeezed.
“Easy.” Dorian pulled him off playfully. “Don’t you get enough attention at home?”
The more Riggs saw his friends settling into married life, or at least in long-term commitments, the more appealing this choice became. With Skylar by his side, this was going to be a lot more fun than he’d dreamed.
Something shuffled behind them, and someone called out a few choice words.
Renner turned to see the commotion. Then sighed. “Hang on.”
Riggs edged sideways to see around Dorian’s broad frame.
At the bar, Bennett and Roarke stood a little too close to each other, the larger man with a vicious scowl.
Ben wore an annoyed expression, not giving an inch. Only their party took up the patio, so thankfully, the dueling bulls didn’t interfere on anyone else’s dinner.
Renner coolly stepped between them, breaking the tension.
Dorian shook his head. “They’re still doing that shit?”
“What's going on?” Skylar asked quietly.
“Long story.” Riggs flicked an oak leaf off the table from the massive trees billowing overhead.
“Let me guess, a woman?”
“No, much more stupid,” Dorian replied. “Their attitudes are like oil and vinegar. Bad ass mentality. If Roarke doesn’t watch it, he’s gonna get a jab to the jugular.”
Skylar blinked, and lowered her voice. “Are you kidding me? Roarke’s twice his size.”
Riggs shrugged. “Ben’s a former MMA fighter.”
“No contest.” Dorian took a swig of his beer. “Roarke’s a good guy, but a loud mouth.”
“I know someone like that.” Skylar winked at Riggs.
“You’re pretty gutsy for a woman under my touch.” He tickled her side, making her yelp into laughter. He didn’t let up until she was nearly on his lap. Then he stole a kiss.
A waiter dropped off their dinners. Steam billowed off the plates of fajitas and enchiladas, and the sizzle drowned out the music.
“This is what I’m talkin’ about.” Riggs grabbed a tortilla from the warmer.
“What did Duane have to say when you told him you were leaving?” Grace asked. “That’s four Knights he’s lost now?”
“He, uh…wasn’t happy, that’s for sure.”
“I invited him tonight,” Dorian said. “We still see each other every now and again.”
“Yeah, I don’t expect him to show.” Riggs finished assembling his fajita from the smoking beef and vegetables. “You were his favorite, not me. Besides, he was pretty stressed.”
“That’s a bloody understatement,” Bennett interrupted as he sat across the iron table. “We still have to put up with him.” He adjusted his black shirt with a silver crown embroidered on the breast pocket. “Did he tell you about the new recruits coming in? I think the first one is from L.A.”
“He probably wouldn’t like you hanging out with us now,” Riggs sighed. “Might think we’ll entice you to quit, too.”
Bennett scoffed. “I’m happy you found your rhythm, mate. Skylar, Grace, you both are fantastic. But not everyone is made to settle down.”
“You don’t believe in happily ever afters?” Skylar asked candidly.
“This is my ever after.” He winked, and downed a shot.
Roarke and Renner finally came back to the table, both holding a beer.
Renner held up his. “One last toast, to Riggs.”
Everyone grabbed their drink.
“Congrats on your new adventure with Skylar.”
A chorus of 'cheers' echoed around the group.
“We’re proud of you for getting the help you needed,” Renner continued, his expression serious. “You know we’re always here for you if you need us.”
The women nodded.
The men bowed their heads.
“And to Skylar…” Renner smiled. “May you never wise up to the horrible decision dating this SOB. Good luck.”
Skylar laughed.
“Dick,” Riggs muttered.
A tall woman barged through the restaurant doors, her heels clicking on the stone pavers. Dark, pixie-cut hairstyle accentuated her green eyes, the same color as in her tattoos covering her shoulders. She gazed across the patio.
“Wren!” Skylar jumped up, and threw her arms around her sister.
“I’m so sorry I’m late!” She hugged her back. “I can’t figure out the highways around here.”
Skylar brought her over to the group. “This is my sister, Wren. She’s moving here from Chicago.”
Bennett and Roarke both straightened a little taller.
Boy, am I glad I don't have to mess with that rivalry anymore.
Wren looked at him first. “Good to see you again, Riggs.” She gave him a one-armed hug. “Thanks for taking such good care of my sister.”
“Of course.”
“Since you both ended up permanent with each other, does this mean I get my money back? Finders fee?”
He snorted. “Where do you think that money went?” He nodded to Skylar. “I spend it all on her.” He blew her a kiss.
Riggs introduced her to the other Knights, both current and former.
Wren shook everyone’s hands. Then hugged Skylar once more. “I need a drink. Want something?”
“I’m taken care of.” She grinned.
Wren beamed. “Looks that way.” She retreated to the bar for a drink, followed closely by Roarke and Bennett.
Riggs pulled Skylar over to the fountain. Her lavender perfume reminded him of her bath salts, and the image of her gloriously naked body took the forefront of his mind.
“You ready to go?”
Her eyes widened. “Already?”
He leaned in, and fluttered kisses under her ear. “I have a strong urge to really take care of you.”
She reached around and squeezed his ass, her fingernails digging in. “Damn right, you will. After one more drink. My sister just got here.”
Her shamrock gaze dazzled under the moonlight.
“Tell me one thing,” Riggs asked.
“Anything.”
“Do you feel safe here? Have I helped you acclimate to your new surroundings?”
Her smile almost knocked him over.
She pulled him in closer, her breasts pushing against his chest. So warm, so soft. “You make me feel like I’m home.”
He kissed her. Deeply, his tongue melding with hers, with the promise of much more. “Score one for Texas.”
THE END
Read more of the Knights of Texas series here!
Susan Sheehey writes contemporary romance, and romantic suspense adventure. Water plays a crucial element in all of her novels, and she's a strong advocate for Autism awareness & acceptance. She squeezes in writing time between chauffeuring around her two boys, and guzzling down French vanilla coffee. Her beloved husband keeps her relatively sane, and full of laughter. She and her family live in Texas.
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Other Novels by Susan Sheehey
ROYALS OF SOLANA series
KNIGHTS OF TEXAS series
Tell Me What You Feel
STEAMY VACATION series co-authored by Mia London
Dry Spell - Coming Soon
Cold Spell - Coming Soon