Page 53 of Irresistibly Wicked

Until now.

He pulled open the kitchen door, and their parents’ dogs, Milo, a fluffy brown mutt, and Buster, a golden retriever mix, bounded over to greet him, their tails wagging.

“Hey, guys.” Zander crouched to pet them, happily accepting their slobbery kisses as his grandfather walked into the room.

“Well, well, look what the cat dragged in. And here I was enjoying the peace and quiet.”

His grandfather’s craggy voice brought a smile. Zander still remembered the burlier grandfather of his youth, whose authoritative presence captured everyone’s attention, the way Preacher’s did. Neither had demanded that power, nor did they abuse it. Their confidence drew respect, and the way they treated everyone like family kept it. His grandfather was leaner now, his once-thick dark hair wispy and gray, his square jaw and strong features softened with wrinkles, but his blue-gray eyes were just as keen, always searching beneath the surface.

“How’s it going, old man? You here mooching dinner again? They ought to start charging you rent.”

“Let ’em try,” he grumbled, and embraced Zander, giving him a hard clap on the back. “Good to see you, boy. I heard you helped put a guy on the right path this weekend.”

“Hopefully it’ll do some good. Where are Mom and Preach?”

“They’re in the den, on the phone with Uncle Biggs and Aunt Red.” Biggs Whiskey was one of Zander’s uncles on his mother’s side. He’d founded and ran the Peaceful Harbor, Maryland, chapter of the Dark Knights.

“Everything okay?” Zander asked as they headed out of the kitchen with the dogs in tow.

“Yes, sir. Bear and Crystal are having another baby.” Bear was one of Zander’s cousins from Maryland. He and his wife already had an adorable little boy they named after their late uncle, Axel.

“Yeah? Good for them,” Zander said as his parents walked out of the den.

“Hi, sweetheart,” his mother said. “Did Grandpa tell you the good news about Bear and Crystal?”

“Yes, he did. I’m happy for them. That’ll be one lucky kid. They’re great parents.”

“You’re thinking better them than you, aren’t ya?” his father asked.

Zander grinned. “I wasn’t going to say it out loud.”

“You didn’t have to,” his grandfather said. “After what you said when you heard Baz and Emerson were expecting another baby, we know where you stand.”

“What are you talking about? I said I was happy for them, too,” Zander insisted.

“That was right after Zan’s accident. He was still in the hospital when Baz told him,” his mother said in his defense. “You probably forgot, honey, but I believe you said something to the effect of, Better you than me. I’m allergic to diapers and commitment.”

Zander laughed. He was about to say that was accurate, but he held it back, remembering why he was there. Apparently he wasn’t quite as allergic to commitment as he’d thought.

“You did offer to teach Baz how to keep that from happening,” his father said with a chuckle. “You sticking around for dinner, son? Zeke’s joining us.”

Normally he would stick around, but Shauna had to work tomorrow, and he wanted to ease her worries before she went. “No, thanks. I just came by to tell y’all that I’m getting married.”

“Not with those allergies, you’re not,” his mother said, and the three of them laughed.

“Yeah. You’re getting married, and I’m giving away my Trans Am,” his father joked, earning more laughter.

“I’m serious,” Zander said. “I’m getting married on Friday.”

His parents’ smiles faded.

“This ought to be good,” his grandfather said, rubbing his hands together as he lowered himself to the couch.

His father lifted his chin, his eyes narrowing. “Come again, son?”

“You heard me. I’m getting married on Friday.”

“I think we’d all better sit down,” his mother suggested, and she sat beside his grandfather.