“I can’t eat that much. My plate is too full as it is.”
“You will,” Jardin said stubbornly.
“I won’t.”
Jardin opened his mouth, but Tanner gave a whoop of glee from across the table. “You tell him, Thea! Don’t let him boss you around.”
Jardin scowled across at his youngest cousin, who grinned back unrepentantly.
Thea blushed. How could she have forgotten her audience?
“You want, Thea, we’ll get rid of him for the night,” Butch offered.
“Raid needs to practice his knots,” Maddox said. “Jardin would make the perfect practice dummy to use. I mean dummy in the nicest possible way, of course.”
She stiffened. Had they just offered to hog tie Jardin? She looked over at Jardin, who appeared exasperated. Then she looked at Carrick on her other side, who was grinning.
Obviously, it was all a joke.
“No hog tying anyone and leaving them outside,” Mia stated firmly.
They all groaned except for West, Alec, and Jaret.
“Mia, you’re no fun. One night won’t kill him,” Butch wheedled.
Mia gave him a firm look. “No. Leave Jardin alone.”
“It’s no fair,” Tanner said. “Ever since Mia came along, we all have to be nice to Jardin.”
“That’s because I’m her favorite,” Jardin drawled, surprising her.
And by the looks everyone gave him, he’d surprised them too.
“He is,” Mia agreed with a grin. Her eyes twinkled. “The rest of you should really work harder to be my favorite.”
“I’m your favorite,” Alec stated firmly.
“Of course you are,” Mia replied, leaning over to kiss him. “But after you, it’s Jardin.”
Jardin gave them all a smug smile. Then he turned to Thea. “Eat.”
She blinked at him then looked over at the boys. Ace was busy eating and chatting with Jaret. While West was nodding at something Keir was saying. Happiness flooded her at the sight. She knew they were missing good, stable male influences. And they were lapping up the attention now.
“Eat,” Jardin whispered in her ear. “Or you’ll sit on Carrick’s lap while I feed you.”
She shivered, knowing the threat was real and if they’d been on their own, she might well have enjoyed that.
Jardin gave her a knowing look. But she picked up her fork. It was way more food than she could eat, and she’d normally stick to salad or veggies, but it was so good half the plate was gone before she realized it. She sat back, her tummy full. It seemed the Malones took eating seriously as most of the food was already gone.
Mia was a miracle worker, feeding this group every night.
“So, does this mean you’re gonna help us with our problem, Jardin?” Raid demanded.
Jardin sighed. “This isn’t my specialty.”
“But you know someone who could help?” Butch asked.
Jardin nodded. “I’ll make some calls.”