Page 141 of Down & Dirty: Rage

Yeah, she made it clear she had hated it when he picked it over a decade ago and still did.

“Mom…”

“I had no idea you were interested in Lyric,” she said more seriously. “But if you want my opinion?—”

“Always, Mom.”

“I couldn’t be more thrilled. Her personality complements yours. We’ve known forever how she can calm you down when no one else can. Since you two have always been close, this is no surprise.”

That sounded familiar.

“Gonna take that as your approval.” Not that he needed it. Technically, the only person required to approve was Crow. But it was still good to know his parents accepted his choice.

“Now, I need to go find my new daughter andsqueeze her tight.”

“For fuck’s sake, Mom.”

“I have to do what I can to humble my six-foot-three, built-like-a-brick-house son.”

Rage shook his head and noticed his father grinning. One thing that Hawk loved about Kiki was how she didn’t take life so seriously. And that was despite the trauma she experienced due to him being a part of the club.

Kiki pinched his cheek. “My big, bouncing baby boy has become a man. You see that, Daddy?” she asked Hawk with a sparkle in her eyes.

“Hard to miss, baby.” Then Rage’s father pinned his lips together, probably to keep from busting out laughing.

“All right, time to go embarrass your other half.” She turned, spotted Lyric, and beelined over to her next.

Even after Kiki walked away, Hawk’s eyes followed his ol’ lady. It was difficult to miss how much his father would be affected if anything happened to his mother.

It would literally kill him.

“Dad,” Rage groaned.

“You know she’s just fuckin’ with you, son.”

“I know, but hopefully she don’t scare Lyric away.”

“If you ain’t done that yet, nobody fuckin’ will.”

That was a piece of truth he couldn’t argue with.

Rage said, “Bring it on.”

“Bring what on?”

“You’re ‘bout to fuck with me, too.”

Hawk’s lips twitched. “Yeah, but got plenty of time to do that. Don’t need to do that tonight.”

“Or you could just get it over with and let me live in peace for the rest of your life.”

“Fuck that. That ain’t no fun.”

“You approve?”

Hawk’s amusement quickly fled. “Of Lyric? No fuckin’ doubt. Can’t see you claimin’ anyone else. Always figured she’d be right for you. You finally realized it yourself.”

“Yeah. But…”