Her Dominant SEAL(45)
“I figured I would at breakfast.”
“Yeah, if that ever happens,” Aiden said morosely.
“Only another ten minutes,” Drake said looking at his watch. “When we talk to everyone, I don’t want to tell them everything, okay?”
“I certainly don’t want to mention the Aryan Brotherhood,” Karen said.
“Yep, certain things need to remain between us, Clint and Lydia.”
“And Eva,” Aiden said.
“Just remember, Avery women are off limits.”
“I remember what you said,” Aiden assured him.
How come Karen was smiling?
***
“What happened last night?” Piper asked at breakfast.
Karen squeezed Drake’s leg under the table, trying to offer some comfort as he tried to side-step his little sister’s question.
“I talked to Dad. He said Mom’s worried about you.”
Piper bit her lip, but then she squared her shoulders. “I don’t believe it. Half the time I was at the house, she barely noticed me.”
“Piper, was there any kind of money Mom was getting for you living at the house?” Drake asked.
“I think she was getting something from the government and then there was the money from you.”
“Was there anything else that you can think of? Anything of value?” Drake prompted.
“If anything, she complained about all I cost. Especially when Granny’s taxes came due,” Piper said.
“Granny’s taxes?”
“I told you about the books Granny Laughton left me. Well, she also left me her house and land, but nobody wants it. Mom tried to rent it, and when that didn’t work, she tried to sell it. So far nobody’s bought it.”
“It’s really sad because Granny left it to Piper to take a burden off you, Drake.” Trenda sighed.
“Damn, that’s so sweet.” Drake grinned.
“Yeah, it’s the thought that counts,” Evie said.
“Mom doesn’t even help with the property taxes,” Piper said sadly. “Trenda pays for them.”
“I don’t give Mom enough money.” Drake sighed.
“Cousin Huey gives her enough for her to stay overnight at the Indian casino. She goes with her friend Junie all the time.”
Karen winced at Piper’s bitter tone. Then she got pissed. “Piper, how often are you staying alone at your house?” Karen asked softly.
Drake’s head whipped over to look at her. He must have caught on that she was angry. Good, he was catching onto her moods.
“Not that often,” Piper said. She moved her eggs around on her plate.
“Piper, answer me.” Karen used her best teacher’s voice.
“Probably two nights a week,” the girl admitted.
“Dammit, Piper, you should have told us,” Evie roared. God, she sounded like a female version of Drake.
“I didn’t want you guys to worry. You have enough on your plates.”
Drake shook his head in disbelief. “Trenda, do you remember when Mom used to take us to the park and read to us? What happened?”
“That was a million years ago. Before the twins came along. She changed. Sometimes it scares me. Will I turn into her?”
“Fuck no,” Evie said. She leapt up from her chair, dashed over and hugged her sister. “She’s sick. Somehow a switch flipped, and she just lost her mind. You’re nothing like her.”
Trenda pushed up slowly from the table. “I’m going to go wake up Bella. I need to give her a hug.”
“I’m going with you.” Evie put her arm around her sister’s shoulder, and they walked down the hall.
“Wait for me.” Piper pushed up from her chair so that it teetered.
Karen looked at Drake. “You need to go with them.”
“I’ll be out of place. It’s girl time.”
“No, it’s family time,” she said gently. She saw a hopeful look flash across his face before he tamped it down. “Go,” she prodded again. “Aiden and I have the dishes.”
“We do? I didn’t agree to that.”
“Hush. You’ll do as you’re told.”
Drake reached out and brushed his lips against hers. “The teacher voice is hot. Make sure he pre-rinses before he loads the dishes into the dishwasher.”
Karen smiled as she watched him saunter down the hall to be with his sisters.
“Nicely done,” Aiden complimented.
“Three brothers,” Karen explained succinctly.
“Ahhh.”
***
“Don’t you think the hospital is overkill?” Karen protested for the forty-third time.
“Baby, you’re moving worse today.”
Karen looked down to where Drake was holding her hand in the front seat of the SUV. He continued to stroke his thumb back and forth over the base of her hand. It gave her shivers.