25. One for the Money
Gabriel Matthias
Tera Evans hands Dad a coffee thermos and passes a few mugs around.
This is not what I expected from Dad’s normal heavy handed shock tactics. She was so excited to meet him she hugged him despite the hour, how many men we have with us, and our unforgiving expressions.
Cade is right, there’s no way she’s real.
I take my mug with a bewildered frown as two of my guards, Jake and Cade, try not to laugh at my awkwardness. Mikael thanks her in his gruff voice and she gives him a sweet smile in return. Completely unaware that he rarely talks to anyone. Ace gives her a wide smile but doesn’t say anything, nodding his thanks instead.
My guards are putty in her innocent hands.
Dad glances at us, completely at a loss. We’re all in the boat with him so I raise an eyebrow without saying anything.
Tera’s hand goes over her stomach protectively as she returns her attention to him.
“Mr. Matthias? Can I say something?”
“Of course,” he blusters. I think he’s trying to cover the fact that he likes her sweet unfiltered affection. He certainly never gets it from any of his own children.
“Please don’t hurt my big brother.”
I’m still stunned every time I hear Daniels referred to as a brother. To anyone , much less me. The man is viciousness personified and she’s worried about him.
Dad’s insistence on introducing him at the wedding was not a good plan. I walked Daniels’ mother down the aisle when he didn’t show. He could have skinned me alive for it.
But Tera’s earnest request catches my attention sharply. The sincerity and anguish in her tone is the most real sound I’ve heard in a long time. She isn’t faking her kindness. I’ve never met a woman like this before. Painfully honest and affectionate.
How did Daniels manage to become friends with her? It’s like throwing gasoline on a kitten. It makes no sense.
Her eyes skip over to me and widen. “I mean, he’s my brother in spirit only. You’re practically voted in by existing at this point so welcome to the family everybody!”
I can’t work up a reply. My guards seem amused but for some reason her earnest welcome has me more curious than pissed at her assumptions.
“I’m only saying that because I wanted to warn you,” Tera continues as her eyes drift back to my father in concern.
“Oh?” Dad’s eyes narrow and then flick to the three men standing in the driveway looking murderous.
“Yeah,” she winces. “It’s the only one you’re going to get and I’m sorry about that. It’s just… Shade is South’s now. And Southie doesn’t give warnings when someone messes with people who are hers, family or not.”
My brows furrow in disbelief. She makes the woman Daniels is apparently sleeping with sound like the boogeyman. How could anyone be worse than him? It’s obvious this woman has no idea who Daniels really is. That should relax Dad nicely since he’s been suspicious.
“And that’s it,” she claps her hands together with an awkward smile. “I hope I see you again. When you see South just hold still and keep quiet. You’re all welcome here any time.”
Her eyes turn to me and she gives me a beaming smile. “Andi talks about you nonstop. The hero worship is real and I’m so glad I finally met you. You should hang around a while. I mean, if you make it that is. Remember, still and quiet . And no taunting Shade. It will make her worse.”
Warning given; she bounces away to drag the three men back into the house.
Leaving the rest of us staring at the closed front door, baffled on how to respond.