Her Dominant SEAL(72)

Everybody laughed at her antics except for Drake.

“Isn’t that great, Drake? I found a mineral rights survey in this book when I was studying with Aiden. It makes sense that’s what he was after, doesn’t it? He wanted to know where the gas was. Right? He wanted my books?”

Karen saw him hesitate. She stepped forward and brushed her hand against his. Just a touch. She knew what was coming next, they’d discussed it. It was going to come out in the trial eventually that Wanda had been part of planning Piper’s death. It was best if Drake told her. God, she ached for Drake.

“Damn, Tinkerbell. You got most of it figured out. You’re absolutely right. Mom and dad wanted the natural gas on your land.” He reached out and pulled his sister into his arms. Karen heard Trenda take a deep breath. She’d figured it out. She moved forward. Karen reached out her arms for Bella, and Trenda handed her the little girl. Evie looked ready to kill. She pressed in on the other side of Drake and Piper. Karen stepped back.

Piper saw that she was circled by her siblings. Drake looked over his shoulders.

“Zoe. Chloe. Come here, girls.”

“It’s going to be bad, isn’t it?” Piper asked from the shelter of his arms.

“No, it won’t. Not if we’re together,” Trenda said firmly. She pressed a kiss against Piper’s temple.

“Mom and Dad wanted the land for themselves. The only way that would happen is for you to die, Honey.” Drake’s voice was full of love and strength, and every single Avery sister clung to it.

“That’s not true,” Piper said softly.

“He’s not lying,” Evie said fiercely.

“That’s not what I meant. I meant that if I died the property goes to Mom. This was a Mom thing,” Piper whispered.

“Yeah, it was. Damn, Tink, I’m so sorry,” Drake choked out.

“It’s okay. I’m glad to know I didn't imagine it.”

Zoe started crying, and Chloe took her into her arms. Drake reached back and pulled them both close. It was one big Avery huddle. Then he saw Karen with Bella. He lifted his other arm, and she walked in. She was part of the family.

***

The meeting with the DEA was anti-climatic. Larry brought over supplies for the house, but people were all getting ready to leave. Aiden and Evie still weren’t looking at one another, and Drake was determined that the man needed to be punched. It was a good thing he was booked on a plane out of town with Darius and Mason.

“Hon, I’ve got to leave. I’ve got laundry to do, a fridge to clean out, and as much as I love my daughter, she and I need to sleep in separate beds.” Trenda said as she kissed him good-bye.

“You did great on the call with Maddie. I thought I would fall apart,” Drake admitted.

“You’re a rock,” Trenda disagreed. “It’ll be great to see her next weekend.

“And Piper?”

“She’s good here with you for a while. I already talked to Mason, he said you had two more weeks of leave, and Larry said you had the place through the end of the season. Apparently, he wants to reward you for getting rid of Delmar and the judge.”

Drake grimaced. While it had been nice to hear this afternoon that Judge Comey had been implicated by the sheriff. It was like he had received a Christmas present on the day his dog died.

“Trenda, did I just hear that you have arranged my life for the next two weeks?” Drake asked.

“Yes. Yes, you did.”

Drake laughed. God, some things never changed.

“Now, I tried to go for the hat trick and failed. Karen did not take the bait when I told her she needed to stay here and rest up. She said something about you being a big enough boy to do your own asking.”

Since he no longer had any cash in his wallet, and his sister was holding his niece, he didn’t say what he wanted.

“Trenda Jean Avery, the next time you try to meddle in my love life, I’m going to meddle in yours. Are we clear?”

“I don’t have a love life.”

“I will arrange one,” Drake growled. “Personally, I think you’re getting kind of spinsterish.”

Black eyes spit fire at him.

“Now look here, you asshole.”

“Mama, you said a bad word,” Bella said looking up at her mother.

“Yes, she did, and now she owes you a dollar.” Drake grinned. He plucked Bella out of Trenda’s arms. “Go tell your new Aunt Karen that Uncle Drake wants to talk to her in a minute, okay, Pumpkin?”

“Okay.”

They watched as Bella walked off.

“Aunt Karen?”

“Oh yeah. I’m going to arrange it. But first, come into the dining room with me.”