“Y’all didn’t scare me off. I only left to save Madigan any more grief,” Tobias said evenly.

“When we went to your apartment, we didn’t know Madigan was there,” Maverick explained. “And we didn’t know the full story. I’m sorry for both.”

Tobias gave a curt nod. “I have a sister. I get it.”

“Yeah, I imagine you do,” Maverick said.

“It’s nice to meet you, Tobias. I’ve heard a lot about you,” Chloe said, a secret glance passing between her and Madigan.

“Hopefully it’s not all bad.”

“It’s definitely not,” Chloe said.

“Chloe runs the book club I’m in,” Madigan explained.

The image of Madigan walking down the path in that sexy leather outfit flashed in his mind, and from the blush reddening her cheeks, he had a feeling she was thinking about their night of debauchery, too.

“What the heck is going on? I go to the bathroom and everyone disappears,” an old man said as he came into the kitchen.

“Grandpa, this is Tobias Riggs.” Madigan looked up at Tobias with reverence he wasn’t sure he deserved, but he soaked it up like the sun. “Tobias, this is my grandfather, Mike Wicked.”

“It’s nice to meet you, sir.” Tobias offered his hand.

Her grandfather’s brows slanted, wise eyes that looked like they’d seen their fair share of trouble openly appraising him. “Well, if it isn’t Mr. Unfinished Business.”

“Pop,” Preacher warned.

Her grandfather paid him no mind, serious eyes boring into Tobias as he lifted a slightly crooked finger and poked him in the chest. “You tell me one thing, Tobias Riggs. Are you going to bite my girl in the ass, or are you going to set her free?”

“Grandpa!” Madigan looked appalled.

“If Madigan is into that, I’ll happily oblige, sir, but if you think I’m walking away, you’re sorely mistaken” came out before he could check it.

Zander said, “Damn,” while Madigan, Chloe, and her mother tried to stifle laughs. Blaine looked like a bull ready to charge, and Maverick uttered, “Shit,” and stepped in front of Blaine.

Tobias wasn’t worried about Blaine, but the two older men were sharing some sort of silent exchange, matching deep Vs etched between their serious eyes. Just as he opened his mouth to try to smooth things over, the two of them burst into laughter.

Preacher clapped him on the back. “What do you say we go eat?”

Relief barreled through Tobias. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to say what I came to say first.”

“Go right ahead, honey,” Reba said.