Page 51 of Glacier

Harriet smiled shyly at me, holding out her hand.

Ignoring it, I stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. “It’s good to see you here, Harriet. Hope you’re ready to get stuck in,” I warned her.

She let out a husky laugh as I released her. “I’m ready.” She lifted her hand, keys dangling from her forefinger. “I’ve got the keys to the hardware store. The sale went through quickly.”

“Excellent.” I turned to Glacier. “Let’s get the store sorted, then go home.”

“Fucking awesome plan, darlin’. The Prospects are already waiting out back to unload.”

We walked to the rear of the building. Gabe dropped a feedbag onto the tailgate and eyed Glacier. “You sure about this, Ju? There’s still time to change your mind. We can leave as soon as you want. Don’t need to stay here with the guy who’s dragging you away from your family.”

He was teasing, but I wasn’t sure if Glacier would appreciate it or take offence. My brother wouldn’t be my brother without being a pain in my ass. It wasn’t like he’d never met Glacier. I knew they’d spent time together when they were working on the hiding spaces in the walls. But I guessed men would be men. And measuring dicks was a thing with them.

My man was not an asshole, though. I noticed the subtle tilt of his lips as he reached for the next sack of feed.

“Didn’t have to drag her anywhere. Knew she was the one after the first morning,” he replied without looking at Gabe.

“That right?” Gabe stood up in the back of the truck and eyed Glacier as he passed sacks of feed to the Prospects, Lurch, and Lawless.

Glacier turned to Gabe, hands on his hips, and eyed him as if he’d happily kick his ass. My brother would deserve it.

Gabe held Glacier’s gaze for a minute, then grinned and held out his hand, pulling him into a back-slapping hug. “Welcome to the family, King. Glad she found a man who’ll rain down hellfire for her.”

“Too fucking right.” Glacier nodded and slanted a grin my way. “Nobody fucks with the Kings, and that means nobody fucks with my Ol’ Lady.”

Heat and happiness flowed through me, and I tried to push it down as I narrowed my eyes at them. “Well, glad we sorted that out. If you two are done, can we get this unloaded sometime today?”

Gabe grinned.

Glacier’s mouth twitched as he reached for me, curling an arm around my shoulders. “Happy you’re home, darlin’. Missed you,” he murmured so only I could hear.

Heat licked through me, but I jerked my chin towards the stack of feed piling up. “You can miss me and work at the same time.”

Lawless overheard us and laughed unapologetically. “She’s got you there, Pres. Come on, I need a cold beer. Get a shake on.”

Shaking my head at the complexity of men and their male bonding, I decided to leave them to it.

Hours later, the store was set up the way I wanted it. My office was ready for me to open the next morning. Harriet and I had gone over the accounting package we’d be using for both shops. She’d picked it up quickly—I had no doubt she’d handle the shop just fine.

While Gabe was there, I had him cut an opening between the two shops behind the counters, so Harriet and I could move between them if needed. It made more sense that way—we didn’t have to leave either shop unattended.

Eventually, I’d look into hiring one of the high school kids to help out in the afternoons.

Gabe left after another emotional goodbye, promising to see me in a few weeks.

***

My cut was waiting for me when we got to the house, laid out on the dining room table. I hadn’t wanted a big ceremony, but I knew there’d be a party this weekend to celebrate.

I wasted no time slipping it on. As the leather settled over my shoulders, a sense of peace filled me. And seeing his name on my back awakened something primal in Glacier, because before I knew it, I was swept into his arms and tossed onto the bed, laughter spilling from me.

It was a hot, sexy homecoming. We spent the entire afternoon tangled up together. My body might regret it tomorrow… but not today.

It was late when he brushed a finger over the edge of my cut where we’d draped it on the headboard. “It looks good on you, darlin’.”

I glanced at my cut, claiming me as Property of Glacier, then back at him. “Never thought I’d be comfortable being classed as property, but I know what it means to you.”

I covered his lips with a finger when he started to speak, holding his gaze. He knew my history, but he also needed to know how I felt. I loved that I’d be wearing his name on my back. That I belonged. “It feels right. I love knowing I’m yours.”