Chapter 9
We arrive at the sprawling white ranch house, where four hefty trucks are parked in the circular driveway. It seems Maggie's brothers are fully committed to their intimidation game. My heart beats like a wild drum solo. I'm not too concerned about facing whatever they throw at me; I just don't want Maggie to be forced into a situation where she has to choose between me and her family. I park the truck, and Maggie flashes me one of her playful grins, the kind that suggests she'll make it all worthwhile if I come through unscathed.
Maggie squeezes my hand and runs her soft fingers lightly over my knuckles, causing my cock to harden. Fuck. This isn’t really the time for the fucker to wake up. I’m tempted to drive away and spend the rest of the night showing her just how much I love her. But first, I have to win over her four asshole brothers.
“We’ve got this, Todd,” she says, with her cute Texan lilt wrapping around my name. Her blue eyes lock on mine, all mischief and promise.
I nod and try to steady my nerves. Hell, a woman like her is worth the gauntlet. I reach behind the seat and pull out the bottle of whiskey I found at the very exclusive liquor store in town. It’s pricey, and I’m hoping it’ll buy me enough goodwill that her brothers won’t throw punches before they give me a chance.
“Are you ready?” I ask, handing it to her.
“Let’s do this.” Maggie laughs. It’s a sound that flows through me, waking up all my nerve endings.
I lean down and kiss her. I don’t mean it to linger, but I do, and my brain cells shut the fuck down. The buzzing in my chest subsides enough for me to breathe again. Maggie pulls back just before I forget why we’re here and decide dinner can wait ‘til forever.
“Come on,” she says, tugging at my hand. “Don’t let them get to you.”
We climb the brick steps and pause at the elegant front door. I inhale deeply, and to my surprise, Maggie pulls me down for a kiss. Everything else fades away as her curvy body melts against me. I whisper her name just as the door suddenly swings open behind us. Hudson's voice rumbles, “Kissing our little sister on the porch isn’t exactly how you win us over.”
"Be quiet, Huddie," Maggie snaps at her brother, shooting him a glare. "You're just envious because you don't have anyone to kiss."
"Don’t call me Huddie, Magnolia," he says, looking quite pleased as Maggie’s cheeks flush with embarrassment. "And who claims I don't have a girlfriend?" he counters sharply while Maggie drags me toward the front hallway. She leans in to whisper something to her brother that makes him turn pale. "Oh, come on, Hud," Tanner interjects with a smug grin, leaving me unsure whether he's defending Maggie or Hudson. "You sound like a teenager."
The brothers bicker for a few minutes about who's in charge, and I have to stifle a laugh. They remind me so much of my nieces when they squabble.
A tidal wave of home-cooked smells assaults my senses, and I know none of these assholes cooked it. Maggie gives each of her brothers a hug before they all lead me into the dining room.
Hudson takes the seat at the head of the table, arms crossed and expression as hard as granite. Silas slides into the chair to his brother’s right and gives me a sly grin while casually sharpening a hunting knife that’s big enough to gut a buffalo. Ouch. They’re going straight in for the kill.
Tanner cracks his knuckles as he sits on the other side of Hudson, and Cole turns to me, making sure I see he’s proudly wearing the football jersey from my team’s arch-rival. Score one to the Carrington brothers.
Maggie's smile remains steady as she raises the bottle. "Todd brought you guys a lovely present," she says.
Whether it's her cautionary tone or their ingrained politeness, the brothers all murmur, "Thank you."
I can see I have my work cut out for me. These four men look like they’d love to put my balls in a vice. I wrap an arm around Maggie and pull her closer, keeping my chin up and my mouth shut. They can mess with me all they want, but I’ll do whatever it takes to make my girl happy. Even play nice with her asshole brothers.
They’re watching me like a worm under a magnifying glass. Every muscle in my body is tense as I wait for their next move. But Maggie squeezes my hand under the table, easing the tension coursing through me.
Every single one of them is waiting for me to crack as they throw out question after question. They think they can wear me down, but I stay calm and answer them honestly. Yes, I’m in love with Maggie. Yes, I’m looking for a permanent relationship. No, I don’t believe in having flings on the side. And then the most important of all: No, I’m not planning on leaving again.
That answer catches their attention.
Hudson’s got his arms crossed and his jaw set like he’s gonna call me on my bullshit before the words are even out of my mouth. “How do you plan on staying here when you play ball for a team in California?”
“I’m debating my options right now.” It’s the truth. Football means nothing to me without Maggie. Since I know she doesn’t want to leave her hometown, I’m trying to figure out what my next career move will be.
“Which means?” Hudson won’t let up.
He looks at Maggie, who’s staring right back at him, a challenge in her eyes as she answers for me. “Which means it’s none of your business.”
“Yes, it is—” Hudson gets cut off by my fierce little cowgirl.
“Come with me.” She points at Hudson and then back to me. “You too.”
The room’s quiet for a beat, maybe two.
“I mean it, Hud,” she says, fire in her eyes. “Let’s go.” She glares at him, but she’s dragging me out with her.
The three of us step into the kitchen, and I wonder what she’s up to. She turns on her brother like a force of nature. “Stop being a pain in the ass or I’ll tell Tanner you were the one who outbid him at the horse auction. And I’ll tell him where you’re boarding your new acquisition.”
Hudson’s nostrils flare. “Mags,” he says, like she’s sucker-punched him. “That’s a low blow. I’m counting the days until I can rub it in his face.” He suddenly looks like a toddler who doesn’t want to share his toy.
She shrugs, cool and confident. “I know.”
He glares at me, then at her, then at me again, as if it’s my fault she’s tearing him a new asshole.
Maggie doesn’t give him time to respond. She leads us back to the dining room.
“I’m going to say this in front of all of you so there are no misunderstandings.” My girl gives each of her brothers a pointed stare.
"We're in love," she says, gently encircling my waist with her arm. "We're figuring out where this relationship is heading, and until we do, you guys are on a need-to-know basis."
"If he hurts you again," Silas tells Maggie, but his words are really a warning for me. His voice is low and dangerous. "We'll make him disappear." He jabs a finger in my direction, his eyes steely and unwavering. "Mr. Sanford's pigs always need a little extra food. And pigs will eat anything."
The implication is clear and chilling. Ouch. I square my shoulders, meeting their gaze with unwavering determination. "She's the love of my life," I declare, my voice steady and resolute, leaving no room for doubt. "And I plan on spending the rest of my life making her happy."
"Damn," Tanner interjects, rolling his eyes dramatically. A huge smirk breaks out across his face. "He's got it bad."
"Pussy-whipped fucker," Cole chimes in with a chuckle, his laughter echoing around the large dining room.
"It's embarrassing to watch," Hudson adds, a sly grin tugging at the corners of his mouth as he delivers his teasing jab.
And just like that, I’m one of them.