Worth It (Forbidden Men 6)

“You were supposed to,” Ten called back, sending forth his own bird. “And you better make it good tonight. I could be at home, seducing my way into Caroline’s panties right now.”

“Fucker,” Noel muttered.

When Pick and Mason stopped talking between the two of them, Mason joined me behind the counter and paused, sending me a wary cringe. Then he lifted his hands. “Okay, just tell me now, on a scale of one to ten, how painfully are you going to kill me?”

I hadn’t seen him since learning what all he had revealed to City. But maybe a week of time had helped me get over it. Or maybe something else entirely had helped me get over it. I glanced at the redhead who watched us from Aspen’s side.

When I turned back to Mason, I shrugged. I could’ve gotten pissed and jacked him in the jaw. But I just couldn’t summon the anger. “It turned out okay,” I admitted before pointing at him threateningly. “But don’t ever spring shit like that on me again.”

“Oh, you don’t even have to worry about that,” he assured me quickly. “Never again.”

“And don’t tell Felicity a fucking thing that should be my place to tell her.”

He nodded. “Right. Got it.”

“Good.” I grunted and got to work.

Pick dropped by right before we opened to make sure we were ready. He paused in front of me and let out a self-satisfied smile. “Damn, I love it when I’m right,” he murmured before strolling away and stopping by City to say something to her. I scowled after him, wondering if I really did have some kind of after-sex glow going on.

The other band members didn’t show for their gig until after the doors had been opened and customers started to spill in. I caught sight of Rock—never more to be considered Rocket to me—on stage, but he didn’t even glance my way. Noel caught my eye when he wanted to order some refills for him and his wife, though.

Once I delivered their drinks, he waylaid me by clearing his throat. “So…Aspen says Felicity’s been happier lately then she’s ever seen her.”

“Okay.” I arched my eyebrows, waiting for him to get to his point.

He growled out a sigh and made a face. “So maybe Pick knew what he was doing when he pushed you two at each other,” he admitted. Then he shrugged. “All I know is that a happier Felicity makes a happier Aspen, and that…” He wiggled his eyebrows, “Makes for a very happy Noel.”

Oh, brother. “Well, that’s what I’m here for,” I deadpanned. “To improve your sex life.”

“Shut up,” he muttered, scowling. “Just keep doing whatever the fuck you’re doing. All right?”

“Gladly,” I murmured as he walked away. I turned to find City in the crowd, but a pair of laughing women plopped themselves onto the stool in front of me, controlling my attention.

“Knox!” they cheered in unison.

I blinked at Eva and Reese, finally seeing the similarities between them. Pick had said they were first cousins, but you couldn’t have proven it to me until I saw them side-by

-side, grinning at me from the same color of blue eyes.

“Where did you two come from?”

“We were gossiping in Pick’s office,” Eva answered before she reached out and grasped my forearm. “How have you been, handsome?”

From the pity in her gaze, I realized she knew everything. I sent a sharp accusing glance to her cousin for being such a gossip. But Reese only shrugged, and not very apologetically.

“I’m fine,” I offered, carefully tugging my arm free.

“Good. You know, you really need to stop by the apartment again sometime. The kiddos have been asking about you.”

I arched an eyebrow, wondering how she knew that when her kiddos didn’t say much past buh-buh, maw-maw, and nigh-nigh. But I shrugged, because I kind of missed them too. After I told her I’d swing by someday soon, Mason showed up, begging me to switch ends of the bar so he could flirt with his woman as he worked.

The band started their gig, and the place came to life, flooding with cheers and catcalls. City managed to stop at my end of the bar every time she filled an order, and she was always able to slip in a kiss when she did.

I was still feeling a high from her last one when Reese suddenly appeared in front of me, her eyes wide. “Knox,” she hissed, frantically waving me closer. I frowned but went to her. She leaned in and tried to call over all the noise as confidentially as possible. “Jeremy’s older brother just walked in the front door.”

I glanced over her shoulder and immediately caught sight of Tad Walden. He hadn’t changed much since the night he’d held back my arms to let City’s brothers hit me. And speaking of City’s brothers…was that Garrett Bainbridge strolling up to the bar with him?

I tensed and muttered, “Shit,” under my breath. “Thanks for the warning.” I nodded gratefully to Reese right before she hurried away.