"For the record? I am all right with it." He pulled out before she could respond. "Let's take a shower so I can get you dirty again."

The swift change of topic wasn't lost on her. She'd learned to let him lead when it came to emotionally charged situations. "How about you stop teasing me and show me."

A roguish grin spread his lips and he nodded. "Hope you're ready." He scooped her up into his arms and she squealed as he strode away from the door toward her bedroom.

Moose knocked on Joey's mom's door and shoved his hands into his pockets as he waited for someone to answer the door. I can't believe I'm doing this shit. It's domestic as hell, but I know Joey needs me right now, and I'm not about to let her down, or piss off Daddy dearest. He and Wanderer had a very tenuous peace treaty he couldn't afford to break. Not when the Eights and Mayhem were both on edge, waiting for Peter's men to strike. For some reason, Wanderer seemed to think he, Joey, and her mother needed to make up for all the time they had missed. It was making his girl's skin crawl. Moose didn't like that, but he was stuck between a rock and a hard place, so he had kept his mouth shut for once. The door opened, and he smiled down at a flustered-looking Joey.

"Thank God, you got here. If I had to spend one more minute in the room with them by myself, I might hurl," she whispered.

"Why?" he asked, lowering his voice.

"Let's just say the tension between them is intense and disgusting."

He laughed. "You trying to tell me the old man still wants to get down with your mom?"

"It's not funny," she said. Her dark brows dipped down, and her lips were pulled into a straight line. Oh, she looked pissed.

"I don't know what having me here will do, but you got me, babe." He wrapped an arm around her waist. "Now show me where you grew up." He leaned down and whispered into her ear, "If I'm a good boy, can we sneak away later to your room and christen it?"

She laughed. "Such a pervert."

"And yet you love me."

"I know. I've always been a dirty girl like that."

Her voice took on a husky quality that made his cock twitch.

"Tease." He nipped her ear, squeezed her side, and guided her in the house, kicking the door closed behind them.

"I have to apologize in advance for my mom. I haven't brought a boy home since high school," she said.

"I think I can handle her," he said.

"Hmmm."

"Something you want to tell me?" He quirked an eyebrow.

"No, I'd rather watch you find out on your own," she said. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and the corners of her mouth turned up. It was a look that had been rare with the stress of helping Juliette plan for the wedding, dealing with Wanderer and getting back on track after their derailment. The sound of heels on hard wood brought his gaze up. His jaw dropped, and his brain seized. Her mother was nothing like he'd imagined. Dressed in a pair of low-rise jeans and a tight-fitting white tank top that showed off her full sleeves, she didn't look much older than Joey. Her dark hair flowed around her shoulders, and bangs fell over her forehead. She had a heart-shaped face and full pink lips.

"Moose, I'm so excited to meet you finally." She opened her arms, and he stood frozen as she pulled him into a hug. Her floral scent enveloped him, and he couldn't help but relish the feel of a mother's hug. There was nothing quite like it.

"It's good to meet you, Ellen."

"I know we just met, but I feel like I already know you." She stepped back. "We don't have friends; we have family." She flashed him an easy smile, and his lips twitched up in response. She was good people. Somehow it made Wanderer an even bigger asshole. Heavy footfalls sounded on the wood. Speak of the devil.

"Moose." The broad-shouldered man nodded and stared him down like a bull who'd caught a glimpse of something red.

"Wanderer," he said, returning the gesture.

"How about we all head outside and get the grill going?" Wanderer asked.

"Sounds good," Moose said, recognizing the request to speak privately for what it was.

"We'll just prep things in here then," Ellen said.

Joey frowned. She narrowed her eyes, opened her mouth and then shut it. Pride swelled in his chest. She was learning. It wasn't in her nature to back down, but she got that this was business. She nodded, and he and Wanderer walked through the house to the back patio. He took in the surroundings during the short journey. Ellen's home was neat, girly and a little rock and roll at the same time. She'd fit in with the old ladies he knew. It was easy to understand how Joey became so damn cool. It went a long way toward easing the part of him that thought she'd show her true self one day. It was a strange feeling finding someone who felt so damn right you couldn't deny if you wanted to, and damn had he wanted to. This wasn't what he'd been looking for. Joey was supposed to be a good time with a sexy, laidback woman who knew the rules he lived by. Instead, she'd turned into a life-altering event.

"Close the screen door," Wanderer said.

Moose did as he asked. "This business or other?" Moose asked.

"A little of both. You remember our last conversation?" Wanderer asked.

"Yeah, I remember," Moose said.

"I see my little girl is still unclaimed," Wanderer said.

"Not that it's any of your business, but your little revelation screwed us both up."

"I don't want to hear your bullshit excuses. My daughter's not something to be cast aside once you've used her up and decided you're done."

"Don't pin your mistakes on me, old man," Moose said.

"Old man? Who do you think you're talking to?"

"An overprotective father who's trying to make up for not being around and losing his daughter in the process. Why don't you slow the fuck down and get to know her instead of trying to control her life? This approach is the worst one you could take. She's like her mother, man. She needs her freedom. You're trying to put her in a cage she doesn't belong in or want to go to. I've been sitting back, keeping my trap shut because you outrank me, and this is a family matter. Now that you're coming for me with guns blazing, I'm going to speak my piece and let this shit fall where it will. You need to back the fuck off. You're stressing Jo-Jo out, which means you're affecting me."

"So you think you're more important than me, her father?"

"I think it's a little late to be trying to pull the father card. I also think I don't give a fuck what the two of you end up working out. That's up to her and you. I don't have a place in that unless she puts me there. Because please believe, president or no president, if you hurt her, there'll be hell to pay."

Wanderer's eyes went wide. His body tensed, and his mouth shut. His jaw ticked, and his eye twitched.

"You threatening me, boy?" Wanderer asked.

"No, I'm fucking promising you," Moose said.

Silence fell in the backyard. Moose watched him warily. He would be within his rights to stomp a hole in his ass right now. He had disrespected Wanderer and disregarded his rules for dating Joey.

"Clearly you love my daughter to risk your ass like that. So what I can't get is why you won't make it official."

"Because that's our call to make, when and if we ever decide to make it. You think her experience with an absent father has left her keen on belonging to another human?" Moose shook his head.

"And you are?" Wanderer said.

"I don't know what I am other than into Joey." Moose shrugged. "That's good enough for me and her. Why isn't it good enough for you?"

"Because I don't want to see her become Ellen," Wanderer said.

"And neither does she. Which is why she never would."

"What kind of scam are you running here, brother? That makes no fucking sense," Wanderer said. His nostrils flared, and a vein in his forehead began to stand out and pulse.

"Look, dude, I don't know how it was with you and Ellen, but Joey and I aren't a secret. We're out in the open for the world to see. That right there makes a world of difference. She has rights too. It's not just me. We do right by our family in Mayhem."

"You saying the Eights don't?" Wanderer said.

"I'm saying you didn't when it mattered most," Moose said.

Wanderer stepped back as if he'd been punched in the jaw. His eye bulged.

"I'm giving it to you straight," Moose said. "You've been busting my balls since day one. I think it's time for a little reality check. You hate me for things I haven't even done yet. I know you think I'm not good enough for you daughter. I don't disagree with you. She could have any man she wants, but she chose me. If things were different, she might've ended up with an Eight for an old man, but what ifs don't amount to shit."

"You got a big set of balls," Wanderer said.

"They don't call me Moose for nothing." Moose met the man's gaze, never giving an inch. It felt like a stare-down in the wild. Wanderer had experience and intimidation on his side. Moose would be lying to himself if he didn't admit he was nervous. But he had stubborn determination.

"I'll back off for now. We all have settling in to do. But don't think you're ever going to be square with me until you handle this the way it should be," Wanderer said.

"Fair enough, as long as it doesn't affect our partnership," Moose said.

"It won't," Wanderer said.

Moose's head snapped back, and his ears rang. Pain exploded in his jaw as Wanderer hit him.

"What the fuck, man?" Moose barked.

"That's for talking to me wrong and dating my fucking daughter. I'm keeping it between us because I know you're right," Wanderer said.

Moose rubbed his jaw. "That's the only free lick you're getting out of me."

"Understood."

"So we're cool?" Moose asked.

"For now. I hear what you're saying about Joey. You're right. She might be my flesh and blood, but you know her better, and that burns me the fuck up. You aren't even in my set, and she turns to you for everything. I'm an asshole, and I can be stubborn as hell. I know my flaws, but stupidity has never been one of my poorer qualities. Know I'm always going to be on your ass about Joey. That's my right."

"I am not arguing," Moose said.

"Good. Now let's get this grill going before Ellen comes out and busts my balls. Damn woman is hell on wheels," Wanderer muttered. The smile on his face took all the harshness out of the statement. He's still got the hots for her. Wanderer turned on the propane, lit the pilot and fire roared to life.

"We got steak marinating in the fridge if you want to go get that," Wanderer said. His voice was gruff, but the discussion had cut the tension between them in half. They had come to a tentative understanding that would hold for a while. It would have to be enough. He walked back inside, and Joey glanced up from the cutting board.

"Everything good?"

"Yeah, babe." He smirked. "Were you ready to come out and rescue your poor man from the big bad wolf?"

"You're such an asshole," Joey said, exasperated.

"And yet you date him," her mother said.

Moose snickered.

"Is this how it's going to be now, Mom? You take his side?" Joey said. Her huffy tone made him laugh harder. Damn he loved getting her riled up.

"Just making an observation," her mother said.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Get your meat and go," Joey said shooing him.

He pulled the plastic containers out, closed the door and winked at her before he returned outside. The ice had been broken. He'd met her mother and faced Wanderer yet again, and the world hadn't stopped spinning. He couldn't ask for more. This was about as easy as his life got.

Chapter Twelve.

Joey cursed Mayhem as she popped the cork on the wine Levi had brought from his special stock. She rolled her eyes. Her reason for hosting this dinner was for Moose to see Levi and give her his opinion. Too bad Moose ended up being called away to deal with Mayhem business. So now she was flying solo. Levi had gotten together with the girls, and no one else seemed to catch the vibe she did, so she kept her reservations to herself. Between Juliette's upcoming nuptials and Hilary's parental drama, it wasn't hard to do. She poured the white wine into goblets and brought them to the table. They'd small-talked their way through her stuffed hen and fresh salad. Levi remained charming, polite and engaging, but she still wasn't buying it. Maybe this was the aftermath of Peter's mess-paranoia. Thank God this dinner is almost over. She finished pouring and brought the glasses into the living room.

"Here we are. It smells delicious, Levi," Joey said.

"I chose it with you two in mind. I think it'll knock you off your feet." He smiled. Something moved behind his eyes, and she mentally imagined the look on his face if she dumped her drink onto her carpet. Laughing mentally, she took a sip and hummed her approval. The light, slightly fruity drink had the flavor of a dessert wine.

"This is really good, Levi," Joey said.

"I agree, excellent choice, babe," Evonne said.

"I'm glad you like it," he said.

She focused on sipping her drink, grateful to have something else to do besides talk.

"Joey," Evonne slurred.

Joey glanced at her friend and frowned. Slumped against the couch with limp limbs, and glassy eyes, Evonne looked wasted.

"Evonne, are you okay?" Joey set her glass down on the table, and the world tilted. Her vision doubled. Her head grew light.

"It worked faster than I thought," Levi said.

"What ya doo?" Joey struggled to form words. Her tongue felt broken.

"I'm exacting revenge for my fallen brother. Did you really think we'd forget and let you go on your merry way?" he asked. "This is for Peter."