“Good. Now let’s get this grill going before Ellen comes out and busts my balls. Damn woman is hell on wheels,” Wanderer muttered. The smile on his face took all the harshness out of the statement. He’s still got the hots for her. Wanderer turned on the propane, lit the pilot and fire roared to life.
“We got steak marinating in the fridge if you want to go get that,” Wanderer said. His voice was gruff, but the discussion had cut the tension between them in half. They had come to a tentative understanding that would hold for a while. It would have to be enough. He walked back inside, and Joey glanced up from the cutting board.
“Everything good?”
“Yeah, babe.” He smirked. “Were you ready to come out and rescue your poor man from the big bad wolf?”
“You’re such an asshole,” Joey said, exasperated.
“And yet you date him,” her mother said.
Moose snickered.
“Is this how it’s going to be now, Mom? You take his side?” Joey said. Her huffy tone made him laugh harder. Damn he loved getting her riled up.
“Just making an observation,” her mother said.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Get your meat and go,” Joey said shooing him.
He pulled the plastic containers out, closed the door and winked at her before he returned outside. The ice had been broken. He’d met her mother and faced Wanderer yet again, and the world hadn’t stopped spinning. He couldn’t ask for more. This was about as easy as his life got.
Chapter Twelve
Joey cursed Mayhem as she popped the cork on the wine Levi had brought from his special stock. She rolled her eyes. Her reason for hosting this dinner was for Moose to see Levi and give her his opinion. Too bad Moose ended up being called away to deal with Mayhem business. So now she was flying solo. Levi had gotten together with the girls, and no one else seemed to catch the vibe she did, so she kept her reservations to herself. Between Juliette’s upcoming nuptials and Hilary’s parental drama, it wasn’t hard to do. She poured the white wine into goblets and brought them to the table. They’d small-talked their way through her stuffed hen and fresh salad. Levi remained charming, polite and engaging, but she still wasn’t buying it. Maybe this was the aftermath of Peter’s mess—paranoia. Thank God this dinner is almost over. She finished pouring and brought the glasses into the living room.
“Here we are. It smells delicious, Levi,” Joey said.
“I chose it with you two in mind. I think it’ll knock you off your feet.” He smiled. Something moved behind his eyes, and she mentally imagined the look on his face if she dumped her
drink onto her carpet. Laughing mentally, she took a sip and hummed her approval. The light, slightly fruity drink had the flavor of a dessert wine.
“This is really good, Levi,” Joey said.
“I agree, excellent choice, babe,” Evonne said.
“I’m glad you like it,” he said.
She focused on sipping her drink, grateful to have something else to do besides talk.
“Joey,” Evonne slurred.
Joey glanced at her friend and frowned. Slumped against the couch with limp limbs, and glassy eyes, Evonne looked wasted.
“Evonne, are you okay?” Joey set her glass down on the table, and the world tilted. Her vision doubled. Her head grew light.
“It worked faster than I thought,” Levi said.
“What ya doo?” Joey struggled to form words. Her tongue felt broken.
“I’m exacting revenge for my fallen brother. Did you really think we’d forget and let you go on your merry way?” he asked. “This is for Peter.”
“Y-you k-kill him,” Joey said.
“Me? No, we all understood what would happen if we were ever exposed. The greater good comes first. Peter agreed to our terms. He also knew we’d avenge him,” Levi said.
“Levi, no,” Evonne said.
“Oh don’t worry, sweetness. I've come to be fond of you. I won’t hurt you. I’ll train you,” Levi said. He sank onto the couch beside Evonne and stroked her face. “You gave yourself to me so sweetly. So completely. I won’t forget that, lover.”