Targeted By Love (Between the Greys #1)

10. Maynard

10

MAYNARD

I strode into the living room, my hand clutching Rhodes’s sweaty palm. He lagged behind, and it probably appeared to my brothers as though I was dragging him. Maybe I was. He no doubt wanted to be anywhere else but confronting his so-called kidnappers.

“Everyone, this is Rhodes.”

“Rhodes,” they all droned in unison.

Just as they had when I’d tried to reach my mate at the front door, they fanned out in front of us. Seeing it from Rhodes’s point of view, it must have been intimidating.

“Spread out. This isn’t an assault.”

They shuffled their feet, their arms outstretched so their fingertips were touching, looking as though they were in the military.

Gods, I’d wanted them to make a good second impression because the first one sucked.

“Sorry we kidnapped you.” Thiago did a little head bob as if that made it okay.

“It was… different. And you need more mouthwash in the bathroom and extra towels. Kidnap victims like something to wipe away their tears.”

Ouch! My brothers’ cheeks flooded with a pink hue, and Riggs inspected his feet.

I raised my hand. “I’ll get right on that, as it’s my place.”

Lake, who was at one end and still holding a chip bag, offered it to Rhodes. “Want one?”

My mate shot me a glance and moved closer, his shoulder brushing against mine. “What flavor?”

“Barbecue.”

Rhodes took a chip and munched it while everyone in the room stared at him. “Nice, but I prefer salt and vinegar.”

“You see, Maynard. I told you.” Lake tapped his phone, and when he was done, greeted my mate with a triumphant smile. “Two big boxes will arrive in twenty minutes.”

“That’s kind of you, but we’re heading to brunch.”

Riggs gagged. “Don’t touch the shrimp. We can’t have you shitting the bed.”

“What?” I slung an arm around my mate’s shoulder. “No one’s pooping the bed!” I slapped my brow.

A giggle burst out of Rhodes. “It wouldn’t make a good impression.” Thiago and Ezra joined in, and Lake had a huge grin slapped on his face. Boaz was still sporting a thunderous expression while Riggs’s cheeks had a green tint.

They were warming to my mate, though I wouldn’t blame him if he was still wary.

“Why can’t you all be normal? Rhodes will think you’re always like this.”

“Dude, where have you been? We are always like this.” That was Ezra.

Everyone cracked up, and even Boaz smiled, but he also rolled his eyes.

“I have a question.” All eyes were on my mate. Shit, was he going to pummel them for details? He had every right to, but we had to get going, and my mate had so much to learn about my family, the pack, and the mafia. I wanted to be the one to explain it to him.

“We’re waiting.” Lake was the first one to sit, and he slouched on an armchair.

“Don’t almost all chips have salt?”

There was a collective gasp in the room. That was his question? Weird, but better than saying he was calling the police and reporting a kidnapping.

“They do.” Lake was the chip connoisseur.

“So why do salt and vinegar add salt to the name?”

Now there was silence. Maybe my brothers were puzzling over the question as I was.

“Barbecue is just that. We assume it has salt added, as do the other flavors.”

Lake whipped out his phone again. “Hmmm, I don’t know the answer, and the internet seems to think just putting vinegar chips isn't enticing and would turn off consumers.”

Rhodes shrugged. “Thanks for clearing that up. It’s always bugged me.”

“One of life’s great mysteries,” Thiago said with a smile.

Someone buzzed at the door, and Boaz was the first to the intercom, but I checked the lobby camera on my phone to see a guy carrying two huge boxes.

“That’ll be my chips.” Lake was bouncing up and down.

“Boaz, can you and Ezra check the boxes?”

Rhodes sent me a “This is usual?” look.

“I’ve had other people’s deliveries brought here,” I fibbed. “And it’s a hassle trying to get the stuff to them.”

My two brothers vanished out the door, and Lake bounded up. “Maybe you can sample one of the vinegar chips before you go. Make sure they’re the ones you like.”

“I’m sure they’re perfect,” my mate responded.

Boaz and Ezra arrived with two enormous boxes.

“How is anyone going to eat all those chips?” I wasn’t that keen on salt and vinegar.

“Don’t worry, Bro. Rhodes and I will have a chip party and invite everyone we know.” I hoped Lake was making a great impression on my mate.

“We should be going. Don’t want to be late. A post-wedding brunch is special.”

“Honestly, I’d rather have a chip party, but yeah, obligations.” Rhodes sighed.

“Hope to see you again soon.” That was Riggs.

I wished Boaz would warm up, but that was probably asking too much. Maybe after he got to know Rhodes more, he’d accept him.

Riggs scuttled to the door and whispered to me that it would be fine about Rhodes and me. He was referring to the whole civilians and humans are not allowed in the pack deal, but my mate answered with, “I hope so.”

“Don’t be a stranger,” Thiago quipped.

They were trying to be nice and normal, whatever that was, but it was a little forced, except for Lake who was the most warm and loving of my brothers. He was a sweetheart, and if anyone could make my mate feel welcome, it was him.

“Bye.” Rhodes gave an awkward wave, and we strolled to the elevator while I checked the camera on my phone showing me the inside of the elevator and the lobby. There was a slight movement in the stairwell, and I caught my cousin’s scent. He’d done a great job.

“They seem nice,” my mate said as the elevator whisked us down.

“You can be honest.” I chuckled at the description of my brothers. They were many things and I loved them, but nice? They could be, and I hoped they’d grow to like Rhodes.

Lake did already, so one down and four to go.