Bad Boy (Invertary 5)

Katy shrugged. “That happens all the time. Want some Coco Pops? I need to talk to you about a sister. I’ve decided you can marry my Muma, but only if I get a sister. You have to promise me or the deal is off.”

Katy grabbed Flynn’s hand and dragged the scowling man towards the kitchen.

Matt pointed at Jena. “Five minutes to calm down,” he ordered before disappearing.

“Does that work for him?” Abby asked through giggles.

“The ordering around thing?”

Abby nodded.

“No.”

They both started laughing again.

29

"He's got his legs back, of course, or his leg;

he's always had one but now he's got two."

Bobby Robson, former England manager

Flynn let Katy drag him out of the room.

“I can’t talk right now, I need to go to my place and find out what’s happening.”

“Do you promise to talk later?”

“Aye.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Say the words.”

“I promise to talk to you later.”

“You didn’t cross your heart.”

Flynn glared at her. “Cross my heart and hope to die, I promise I’ll talk to you later about whatever crazy topic you’re concocting in your tiny, evil mind. Good enough for you?”

“Okay,” Katy said. “It isn’t a crazy topic. I want to make a deal for a sister. You better talk to me later, Flynn. I won’t forget.”

“Kid, elephants have a better chance of forgetting than you do.” He put up a hand to ward o

ff more questions. “I don’t have time. I need to go see what’s happening outside.”

“As though you don’t already know,” Victoria snapped from behind him.

“No,” Flynn said with all the patience he could muster. It wasn’t much. “I don’t know what’s going on.”

“A leopard can’t change its spots, Flynn Boyle. I suspect you’re playing Abby while you pretend to reform. It would be entirely too easy for you to string her along while you carry on living the debauched life you normally lead.”

Flynn counted to ten and told himself the woman was Abby’s sister. And you had to make allowances for family. He frowned at Matt, who leaned beside the front door. You had to make allowances for all family members. He ran a hand through his hair.

“I don’t have time to argue this with you. I’ve got people setting up equipment on my lawn. I have no idea who they are or what they’re doing. There are two camera crews out there and I need to keep them away from Abby. If you want to help, that’d be great. If you don’t, then stay out of my way.”

Victoria’s cheeks flushed red as she started to bluster. Lawrence put a hand on her shoulder.

“He’s right,” Lawrence said to Victoria before turning back to Flynn. “I can help. I don’t work for Abby’s mother anymore.”