“Well then, I guess we can all relax,” Chad said as he smiled. Damien didn’t like the knowing look on the man’s face – not one little bit.
Chapter Eighteen
“Let’s go out back,” Trenton said as he grabbed his own bottle of beer and moved toward the den’s door.
Damien didn’t hesitate. He followed behind his cousin, and then realized he hadn’t asked one single question of any of the Andersons. How was he supposed to get information if he wasn’t even thinking about interrogation? The only person he seemed to want to interrogate was Sierra. He vowed to himself he’d just make sure she was really there, then he’d focus on his “family.”
As they neared the back of the house, delicious aroma’s started drifting through the room, reminding Damien he hadn’t eaten in twenty-four hours. He’d been in too much of a hurry to get back home, and exhaustion had pulled him under on the long jet ride. Then, stress had prevented him from eating much once he arrived at his house and waited to see Sierra. His stomach rumbled loudly at the smells surrounding him.
“The girl’s all cooking together has that effect on me, too,” Austin said as he patted Damien on the back. The friendly gesture threw him for a moment.
If these men were anyone else besides the sons of the men who’d killed his father, he might find himself enjoying their company, actually wanting to be around them. He pulled away, sending a “don’t touch” signal for Austin and the rest of the men. Damien missed the look Austin sent the other men in the room. His signal had been read loud and clear.
“You picked a good day to show up. The weather’s good, and we’re getting ready to barbecue in a few minutes. Bree and the rest of the girls have been making side dishes for a couple hours. They wouldn’t let us sneak into anything either, so I’m starving,” Max said as he picked up his pace and passed the rest of them.
“Hey, hold up,” Trenton said as he raced his brother into the kitchen.
Damien heard the laughter before they turned the corner. He found Max and Austin both with their arms wrapped around who Damien assumed were their wives.
“Not a chance are you taking off with any of this. It would be gone before we got our steaks grilled, then you’d be too full to finish the best part,” one of the women was saying.
“Ah, just a little bite, Cassie?” Max pled, looking kind of comical as the huge guy was practically on bended knee in front of his wife.
“Okay,” she sighed with an adoring look on her face. She picked up a fork and let him taste her dish. He didn’t disappoint her when he sighed dramatically before lifting her from the ground and spinning her in a circle.
“Oh,” she cried, her face going white. Max’s face turned practically the same shade when he realized he’d hurt her.
“I’m sorry –” he said when he was cut off.
“It’s okay,” she said before pushing against him to get free and then running down the hallway. He waited a stunned second before following her. Damien stood, confused.
“It’s okay. Cassie’s in her first trimester of pregnancy, and it looks like she just got motion sickness. I’m Jennifer. How are you?” the woman who was previously in Trenton’s arms asked before walking over to Damien.
“I’m fine. Have you seen Sierra?” he asked as he automatically took her hand.
“She’ll be right back. She’s just changing Maya for me,” Jennifer replied.
Damien could feel her the minute Sierra stepped in the room. He didn’t know how, but one second he was standing next to Chad as the group of people chatted around him. The next minute, his body tensed and he found himself wanting to look over his shoulder. With great self-control, he managed not to.
He then heard soft footsteps on the tile floor, finally allowing himself to turn.
Sierra walked in, holding a delicate infant in her arms, the sight making his throat close. Her cheeks were flushed and a glorious smile filled her face as she looked mesmerizingly down at the small bundle in her arms.
“Thank you, Jennifer. She’s so incredible,” Sierra said before her head finally came up. Her expression froze when she spotted Damien standing amongst her friends.
“Hello, Sierra,” he softly said, grateful he’d regained his voice. Without even trying, seduction rolled through his words.
He found himself relaxing just seeing her again, noticing the way her eyes drank him in. She may not realize she was hooked on him, but everyone else in the room could feel it, notwithstanding Damien. Confidence rolled through him at the knowledge.