Page 70 of Rowdy & Kat

Except that would never be enough. The three men needed to die for putting the women at risk. The plan was to wait until tensions died down before orchestrating “accidental” deaths for the three men. To kill them outright might instigate a war with their families back in Baton Rouge.

Pissed off now, I demanded, “Why are you acting like Farley and I shouldn’t be involved in this conversation?”

“Clint thinks you’ve gone soft,” Rock said, winning an eye roll from our president. “I think you’ve always been soft.”

“And why isn’t Farley involved in this conversation?”

“We don’t need a sniper yet,” Rock replied casually. “Plus, we were thinking about having the foxes take the lead in the kills. If so, we’ll ask Zadie to do the sniping.”

“I’m offended,” I said and frowned at Hanzee staring at me. “This dog is also offended.”

Clint sized me up before asking, “Offended over what?”

“Everything!” I hollered, sending a startled Hanzee running to his cage near the windows. “I’m angry, dammit!”

Clint narrowed his blue eyes. “Is this a real pissy fit?”

“No. Maybe. I’m not sure. I don’t like feeling left out.”

“You just returned to town,” Clint explained calmly. “You’re helping Kat and her sister get comfortable at the condo. You’ve got twin babies with a schedule to keep. I figured you were busy, and I shouldn’t bother you.”

“Oh, well, that’s all true, but I haven’t gone soft.”

Clint refused to get flustered. “Ford told me that he struggled to be violent after I was born. He didn’t like the idea of using his hands as weapons when they would also touch an innocent child. Does that not bother you?”

Frowning at my hands, I muttered, “Well, it does now. Thanks, Clint.”

My cousin grinned. “Our fathers got softer after they had kids. That didn’t mean they became weak. It’ll be the same way with you. That rowdy guy ready to throw down at a moment’s notice now has a woman and kids waiting for him to come home safely. That’s bound to mess with your head.”

I studied my hands and imagined my sons’ soft skin. “Yeah, I can see that. But I still think Farley should be offended.”

“I don’t care if I’m the one to kill Bob or not,” Farley said and crossed his arms. “I just want him dead, so he can’t hurt our people again.”

Shaking my head, I sighed. “Your diplomatic tendencies are a real bummer.”

Farley grinned. “Can we leave now?”

“No, I need to gossip first. Did you boys know Farley’s sporting a boner for Mariana Darville?”

Rock nodded approvingly. “She seems solid. No drama.”

Farley opened the condo door. “I’m leaving now.”

“Can you take Hanzee out to the courtyard?” Clint asked before Farley disappeared. “Rowdy’s conniption fit has gotten the little man dancing.”

Though we had two lovely blondes waiting for us back in my condo, Clint had a way of making people fall in line.

Farley and I walked to my condo, where I called for Goblin. My boy didn’t want to leave the stairs. Once he heard Hanzee bark at Ivy, he came running.

I gave Kat a smile when she watched me like I’d been gone for too long. “We’ll be back soon.”

Farley and I walked down to the courtyard, where the dogs did their business before chasing each other around the grassy area. I found a spot in the shade near a line of bushes. Farley ignored me and played with the dogs. He really needed a pet of his own.

After the dogs decided to roll around in the sun, he joined me in the shade.

“How was the grocery trip?” I asked.

Lowering his jaw, he hid behind his hair. “Maria’s great. She’s smart and strong but not hard, you know?”