Page 6 of Her Faithful Protector

“I’ve been feasting on it for the last three months. I now understand moderation,” Ezio grinned. “Which apparently you do too, if you came in second. So it wasn’t a big date night for you? No staying out all night?”

Nic kept his mouth shut. He had stayed out all night, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to explain to his teammates what he had been doing; it would have been bad for his rep. Speaking of which, at this rate, he was going to be late.

Kane came over the line next, followed by Asher.

“Where’s Leo?” Zed asked. “He never comes in last. “Sorry, McNamara, but it’s you. Your brains don’t translate to the Kraken; that one fucks you up each and every time. Thank God you’re so good at brute force.”

Everyone laughed.

“The sad thing is, I practiced that damned cargo net piece of shit obstacle five times this week.” Kane threw down his empty water bottle. “That does it; I’m recreating that obstacle at my house. I’m done letting that thing own my ass.”

Nic shot Raiden an amused look.

“I saw that, Hale. Just for that, you’re stuck bringing nothing but your mother’s cooking to the next party I throw. I don’t care how much you have to beg to get her to cook, I expect blackberry cobbler at the very least.”

Shit, I’m screwed, I really need to learn how to bake.

* * *

I’m late. I hate being late.

The door opened before Nic had a chance to knock. “You’re late.”

“We had to run the obstacle course today. I’m begging you, cut me some slack,” he said as he held up his hands for mercy. The beautiful blonde smiled, then he scowled. “There’s a peephole for a reason, you know the rules.”

“Don’t be grouchy. Please.” She batted her eyelashes up at him. It was a worthy ploy, because Nic felt himself melting.

“Mimi, you need to be more cautious.”

“It’s Saturday. It’s always you.” She held out her hand so he could hold it.

“I don’t care. You’re not allowed to open the door without checking the peephole.” There had been one installed at her height for just that reason.

“You’re a poopy-head.”

“Naomi! You won’t speak to Uncle Nic that way. If you do, he’ll have to leave.”

Nic and Mimi looked up to see an older version of Mimi coming out of the kitchen with a frown. She was not happy.

“I’m sorry, Mom.”

“Am I the one who you have to apologize to? Where did you learn such awful language?”

Mimi tugged at Nic’s hand so that he would crouch down beside her wheelchair. “I’m sorry for calling you a poopy-head, Nic. You’re not. Your hair is nice.”

Laughter bubbled up inside him but he had to keep it contained or Alice would come down on him like a ton of bricks. She did not cotton to bad manners from her six-year-old daughter. Naomi ‘Mimi’ Daniels was treated just like any other girl her age…well almost. His cousin was doing a fantastic job, except for the fact that she was trying to be all things to all people and she was grinding herself into the dirt.

“I like your hair too.” Nic smiled at Mimi. “Now let me take the groceries into the kitchen. I have a project planned for today.”

He saw Alice frown. Uh-oh. Now he was going to suffer the wrath. “I had to bring groceries because it’s part of the project. We’re making blackberry cobbler.” He wouldn’t tell her he brought over extra.

“You’re going to bake?” Alice’s voice was filled with surprise.

“Don’t act so surprised. I can bake.”

Alice’s laughter filled the foyer and Mimi joined in. “Why are we laughing at Uncle Nic?”

“If you’re helping him bake tonight, you’ll see soon enough, Lovebug.” Alice kissed the top of her daughter’s head.