“As you wish,” I said, winking at the baby bump I called friend.
Raven gave me her game face then took off out the front door. I chased after her while the two ugly dogs barked excitedly. Quickly catching her, I smeared sauce on her face. Raven flipped me over onto my back, but ensured I landed gently on the grass.
“You’re so messy. Didn’t your mama ever teach you to be a lady?” she asked, pinning me to the ground as we wiped our hands on each other’s shirts.
“What’s this about?” asked a familiar voice.
Turning my head, I found Deputy Ennis Darling standing on the other side of the fence.
“We’re having a baby shower,” Raven muttered. “You’re not invited.”
Dickhead ignored Raven and focused his greedy blue eyes on me. I knew I looked a mess from my barbecue wrestling, but he still acted like I was standing in front of him naked.
“What do you want?” I asked as the dogs growled at Dickhead.
“I tried calling you.”
“I blocked your number.”
“Now, why would you go and do that?”
“You had your chance,” I said, glaring into his eyes. “You blew it. Now, I have someone else.”
Dickhead flicked the tip of his stupid cop hat. “That fighter Dragon?” he said, rolling his eyes. “You know cage fighting ain’t exactly legal. Your boyfriend could get himself into trouble.”
“Are you threatening my brother’s business?” I asked as Tawny and Raven stood behind me.
Dickhead looked at the wives of Reapers’ enforcers then back at me. “Your boyfriend is a loser. When you realize that, I’ll still be around.”
“Whoop-de-fucking-doo,” I said, walking away.
Raven and Tawny remained outside for a while, eyeballing the cop. I wouldn’t be surprised if they called their men to make loud complaints about a pig hassling them. Ignoring the drama, I was more worried about Dickhead hassling Nick.
“You okay?” Farah asked while I washed off.
“Yeah, I just don’t want Dickhead messing with what I have.”
“Tell Cooper to handle him.”
“No,” I snapped then softened my tone when I remembered Farah was cooking my niece. “I want Coop to respect me and see me as an adult. I want to run the legal part of the family business. He won’t trust me to do shit if I run to him for help with Dickhead.”
“Or maybe he’ll trust you more because you knew to ask for help. I know Coop worries about Tucker making dumb decisions and never asking for help. He needs people to handle things, but also to know when they need backup.”
Under Farah’s steady gaze, I accepted she knew the answers and wouldn’t steer me wrong.
“I’m sorry I slammed you into the wall that day,” I whispered.
“It’s okay. You thought I hurt your brother and you’re protective of him.”
“It was still wrong to hurt you like that,” I said, wrapping her long dark hair behind her ears. “How come you never told him what I did?”
Farah smiled. “Coop and I had just made up and I didn’t think he’d understand what you did.”
“I’m sure Coop knows I act like a bitch. It’s a pretty established fact.”
“I mean he was in the mood to make things up to me and might have gone overboard with how he responded to you. I just didn’t want him to do anything he’d regret.”
Leaning against the walls, I sighed. “He acted like an idiot a lot when you two first met. I don’t think he liked feeling powerless with someone. Back then, I didn’t know what the hell his problem was, but I get it now. Nick has the power to chew me up and shit me out.”
“It gets easier, Bailey. Loving Cooper scared me and I thought I should push him away. I’d never had a life like he offered or someone who could give me so much. Nick might feel the same way with you. It’s why he runs towards you and away at the same time.”
Biting my lip, I confessed, “I feel the urge to trap Nick and make him stay with me. I know what’s best for him and I want to force him to submit. In fact, stopping myself from controlling him takes up most of my day. I’m not that different from Coop, so you’re lucky he never locked you up somewhere and made you worship him.”
Farah laughed. “It’s not like he didn’t make threats to do just that. He found the patience to wait for me and you’ll do the same for Nick.”
Hugging Farah, I soaked in her warmth. “You’re a great sister-in-law. Better than I could have ever hoped for. I thought I hit the jackpot with Maddy then you came along. How did I get so lucky?”
Farah took my hand as we walked to the living room. “You must have been very good in a past life.”
Joining the others for cake, we found Raven and Tawny had finished intimidating Dickhead. On the couch, Lark whispered with Maddy about baby things.
Soon, Lark opened presents, oohing and awing at the car seat and stroller. With my gift, Lark only frowned.
“I don’t get it. What do I do with a picture of Winona?”