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Chapter 3

Merigold

We sat on the porch watching the boys running around burning off energy from being stuck in the car for so long and waiting for the pizza to arrive when my phone started to ring the Star Wars theme song. I cursed and pulled it out of my pocket. Ethan gave me a questioning look. " Alaric. I was supposed to call when I got here." Ethan nodded his head while I answered. " Hi, Alaric." " Merigold Raider Stevens! Mac and I have been going nuts here with worry. You were supposed to check in with us half an hour ago." Alaric said in a rush "Wow, my full name. Don't you think that is overkill?" I giggled. " It is not when our baby sister and nephews are halfway across the country and didn't check in on time. We have been worried sick." he huffed.

Now I feel bad. I should have checked in by now. " I'm sorry brother. You are right. I should have called. We got here about an hour ago and I just wanted to unwind a bit. Am I on speaker?" I said. Mac's voice came on next " Yes, Snow you are. It's good to hear you made it safe." " I did Mac. And Ethan was waiting for us." " Good to hear. Where are the boys?" " Right here. I'll put you on the speaker to talk to them." I said. I called the boys and they came running. " Hi, Unka Mac." Jace said " Hi Unka Laric." said Jax. I just held the phone and let them talk for a few minutes. " Ok boys we miss you but I need to talk to momma. '' Alaric said. " Ok bye." the boys said in unison and went to the yard to play again. " Are you still on speaker?" Alaric asked. " Yes." " Is your brother there with you? I want to talk to him." Mac said sternly.

I looked at Ethan to check if it was ok. He nods and I hand the phone to him " This is Ethan." " Good. I know Snow is your sister by blood but she is ours by choice and bond. While she is with you we expect that you will make sure she is well taken care of. If anything happens to her or the twins under your watch you have to answer to us. And we promise you it won't be pretty if we get our hands on you." Mac said.

I looked at the ground shaking my head. " Understood. And I respect that. I will make sure she is taken care of. I will never allow anything to happen to her. She is all the blood I have left." Ethan said. " Snow, we will talk soon. We love you. Bye Princess," said Mac. " Talk soon brothers. I love you too," I said and hung up. I looked up at Ethan `` Sorry about that. They can be a bit overprotective." " Don't be sorry. They were there when I couldn't. It is good to know that you have someone. I respect what they said and I will live up to what I said." " Thanks for understanding," I said.

" Pizza will be here soon. Should we get the boys inside?" Ethan asked. " Yea. I'll get them cleaned up." I said. " Boys time to come in and get cleaned up for dinner. Uncle Ethan ordered pizza." The boys raced towards the porch " Yea. Pizza." they yelled. I laugh and shake my head. They can be picky eaters sometimes but are always in the mood for pizza. I opened the sliding glass door and brought them into the kitchen. I lifted them one at a time to wash their hands. Then I sat then at the small kitchen table as Ethan pulled out a chair for himself.

I noticed the boys were sitting on their knees. " Boys, how about I go get your seats from the truck so you can sit better. Would you like that?" " Please momma," Jax said. " Sure buddy. Ethan, would you mind watching them for a minute?" I asked. " No problem. I'll get them something to drink." He said. " Thanks. But milk or juice only if you have it. If not then water please." I said. " Gotcha. No beer." Ethan laughed.

I made my way to the truck and opened the back door. I climbed in to unbuckle the boys’ booster seats. I heard a car pull up but paid no attention, figuring it was the pizza guy. I crawled out backward and put the first seat on the ground. I reached in for the second when I hear " Damn. Now that's a fine view." I screeched and spun around so quickly I almost lost my footing. A very strong hand grabbed my arm " Sorry little lady. Didn't mean to scare you." the man said.

I looked up and saw a man that had to be five foot eleven if not six foot tall. He had sandy blonde hair that was cut close to his head. His eyes were milk chocolate brown. He was handsome with chiseled features. He was smiling at me with a silly grin that made me want to laugh. " You just startled me a bit. No harm." I noticed he was wearing a form-fitting white tee shirt that showed off his well-formed abs. He had a black vest similar to the one Ethan is wearing but, his said ‘ Prospect’ on the patch. Overall he was quite handsome. " Are you here to see Ethan?" I asked. He raised his brow questioningly " Ethan?"

Before I could answer I heard the screen door slam then Ethan's authoritative voice boom " Prospect. Hands-off and get the food in here!" " Yes Prez." the man said. He went to his car and grabbed four pizza boxes from the front seat. He almost ran to the house and walked right past Ethan who I noticed had his arms crossed his chest with a stern look on his face. I shut my truck door, grabbed the seats from the ground, and made my way inside.

When I got in the man was setting the food on the table. I set Jax in his seat first and then moved to Jace. " Is that better my boys?" " Yep" is all I got from them. I went to the cabinet to get some plates and I could feel the man's eyes on me. I placed the plates on the table starting with the twins when Ethan cleared his throat " Merigold this is my prospect Lug Nut. Lug Nut, this is the twins Jace and Jax. And Merigold." he said. I offered Lug Nut my hand " Nice to meet ya, Lug Nut." He took my hand and said, " Pleasure is all mine little lady." It was then I noticed his accent. It had a southern twang to it similar to mine. " Louisiana?" That was all I asked. He smiled " Mississippi actually." he said proudly. " You?" " Alabama," I answered. " Practically neighbors," he said. I smiled. " Lug Nut get your ass back to the clubhouse. And when you do I advise you to keep your mouth shut." Ethan growled. " Yes, Prez" Lug Nut said, never taking his eyes off me. " See you around Merigold," he said and left.

Ethan

I watch Lug Nut leave. I saw how he was looking at her. He had the balls to eyeball her like she was his next meal. Hell, he had his hands on her and I wanted to knock his ass out. Yes, he doesn’t know who she is. But she is at my house. He shouldn’t be drooling over her. I'm going to have to make sure everyone knows she is off-limits. I'm going to have to do something I have never done before and that is the protective big brother. But I'm up for the job. She doesn't know the dangers of my world yet. It is my job to keep her safe. Especially from assholes that think they can put their hands on her. If Lug Nut is anything to go by she is going to have the guys at the club wanting a piece of her and I won’t allow that to happen.

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