He grinned. It was a sexy look on his mate. He’d have to be sure to put it there often.
“Payson,” Kontra finally said, amusement filling his deep voice. “There are some officers here who’d like to speak with Land. Perhaps we could move this to the salon?”
Payson knew it might have been phrased like a question, but Kontra’s statement wasn’t a request. After offering a quick nod, he took his lover’s hand and led him toward the front of the house, then into the salon. Two men, neither in uniform, and one dark-haired woman waited. The woman had her arms crossed and tapped her foot impatiently. He ignored the narrow-eyed glare from the brunette who could only be Larissa.
Land confirmed his suspicions when he said, “Larissa, what’s going on? What are you doing here with the police?”
She straightened. Frowning, she waved a hand around the group. “These bikers kidnapped you. They won’t let you leave,” she said, scowling at all the men.
Huffing, Land pulled away from Payson and grabbed Larissa’s arm. He proceeded to manhandle her as only a brother could, maneuvering her to a couch. Payson watched Land point to the couch. To his surprise, Larissa actually obeyed. Land crossed his arms over his chest, which was kind of a pity because it hid the silver hoops Payson already loved playing with.
“Larissa, what’s this about? I can leave here any time I want.” Land looked at the scowling faces of the officers. “I wasn’t kidnapped. I’m here of my own free will. This is a misunderstanding between siblings. I’m really sorry for the inconvenience.”
The bigger man, a broad-shouldered darkhaired guy who stood about six foot two, scowled at them and asked, “I’d like to hear you say that without the others in the room.” He gave Payson a scathing look. “That okay with you, sir?”
Payson’s hackles rose at the condescending tone, but Kontra’s hand on his neck had him growling, “Yes,” through clenched teeth. “Holler if you need anything,” he told Land.
His lover’s understanding smile and nod settled Payson’s temper. He exited the room, but didn’t go far. Instead, he rested a shoulder against the wall and listened. Kontra stood next to him, leaned close and muttered, “Congrats on your claiming.”
At that, Payson couldn’t stop his grin. “Thanks.”
“How’s he handling everything?”
Payson cocked his head. “We’ve had a few…hiccups,” he said, thinking of his mate’s hyperventilating, his escape to the john, and their misunderstanding where the sister was concerned. “Surprisingly well,” Payson decided.
Kontra grunted.
“How can you say you’re here of your own free will?” Larissa’s shrill question had Payson tensing. “You’re running around without a shirt, and—oh, my god!—are those nipple rings? I picked out your shirt last night, and you didn’t have them then. What the hell, Land?” Larissa shrieked. “Is this some kind of orgy thing?”
“Larissa,” Land snapped. “That’s enough. I understand you’re upset that I’m with a guy you slept with.” In response to an audible gasp, Land said, “Yes, we talked about that. I admit he’s far more experienced than I am, but that doesn’t matter to me. He’s with menow.”
Payson really liked how confident Land sounded. He made a mental note to confirm his mate’s surety later.
“How can you say that?” Larissa asked, taking on a conciliatory tone. “You’ve only known him a day.”
“I—”
“Wait a damn minute,” snarled a man’s voice, one of the officers. “You dragged me out here to rescue your fag brother from some other fag? If Land makes a bad decision, he deserves what he gets. Fucking pervert.”
Payson let out a low growl and shoved away from the wall, intending to walk in there and wallop him, police officer or not. He made it to the doorway and stopped when he saw Larissa leap to her feet and shove the officer, hard. As he stumbled back a step, Larissa roared, “You don’t talk about my brother that way. Land is twice the man you are, Ricky Malone. Does Brianna know you feel that way? Think your mama would approve?” She got up in the big man’s face, and Payson felt a grudging measure of respect for the little spitfire. “Maybe you need your fag little brother to beat some sense into you. He’s more man than you are right now.”
The officer, Ricky, glared daggers at Larissa, his face flaming red. For a couple of tense seconds, Payson thought the guy would hit Land’s sister. Then the other officer grabbed Ricky’s arm and pulled him away. The blond man urged Ricky toward Payson and the doorway.