Roman's Vow (Riley's Pride #4) - Sandra R Neeley Page 0,66

Do not give him one of yours with the hot sauce on them,” Maia said.

“He likes it!” Riley objected.

“Yes, then he has diarrhea all day. He does not need huevos rancheros. He can wait a minute for a plain scrambled egg,” Maia answered.

“Mama just don’t know, huh?” Riley said, nodding at Sebastian.

Sebastian took a break from chewing on his bacon to grin at his Doddy.

“Cristie? Baby, you need more eggs?” Maia asked.

“No, thank you. I’m full,” Cristie said.

Maia turned from the stove at just that moment to place a plate of scrambled eggs and hash browns in front of Darcie, and a small saucer of scrambled eggs in front of Riley to cool before feeding it to Sebastian. “I’m in so much trouble when he gets older. He’s already grinning at everything Riley says,” Maia complained.

“He’s gonna be a man’s man,” Riley said proudly.

Maia rolled her eyes. “Roman, fried like usual?”

“Yes, please,” Roman answered. “I’ve seen Richie around and every time I ask about Yvette, he says she’s getting close. How is she, though?” Roman asked.

“She’s miserable. I honestly expect a phone call in the middle of the night every single night now. When I wake in the morning, I’m shocked she’s still pregnant,” Riley said.

“She should have had the baby by now, shouldn’t she?” Roman asked.

“It’s hard to tell. Should be about five months give or take from conception ‘til birth, but it’s not an exact science. It’s a bit different for everybody,” Maia said, looking over at Darcie and knowing they’d not told her about their natures yet.

“I understand,” Roman said. “I think I might stop over and see if I can do anything for them while they’re waiting.”

“They’d appreciate that. We’ve been over there and called constantly, but I’m sure she’d want to talk to you. She’s been worried about you,” Maia said as she handed Roman his plate with four fried eggs, and a mountain of hash browns before taking her own seat again.

“You not eating?” Roman asked, as he reached for the platters of toast, bacon, and sliced tomatoes.

“I ate already. I’m just working on my third cup of coffee now,” Maia answered.

Riley’s phone started ringing and he looked down at it where it sat on the table. “Lucas,” he said, getting up and walking out on the back porch.

Roman stood and followed him out.

“Hey!” Riley said into the phone, coming to a standstill near the edge of the porch and listening to Lucas as he looked out over the back yard. He glanced at Roman, meeting his gaze when Roman joined him, but kept listening to Lucas.

“Hold up,” Riley said. “Let me put you on speaker so Roman can hear, too.” Riley took his phone away from his ear and pressed the speaker button. “Alright, try that,” he said.

“Can you hear me now?” Lucas asked.

“Smartass, you sound like a telephone commercial,” Riley said with a chuckle.

“Yeah, I know. But can ya?” Lucas pressed.

“Yes, we can hear you,” Riley answered.

“So, Laz figured out who was who and what was what, and tracked ‘em all down. Ya’ll know that,” Lucas said.

“Yes,” Riley confirmed.

“So, he sent me a text with an address and said, ‘be there in thirty minutes’. I didn’t know if he meant himself or me, so I went just in case. When I get there, he’s just getting inside, so I just went in with him. He did a number on ya boy. But not so much that he can’t take what he’s got coming to him with the law,” Lucas said.

“You sure he’s going to confess?” Roman asked.

“Naw, but we scared the shit out of his buddies. I have no doubt they already did, so it don’t matter if he does or not. They confessing everything, singing like a couple of birdies. Lazarus told ‘em if they didn’t, he’d fix it so they were in useless, paralyzed bodies for the rest of their lives unable to speak or move, but as clear minded as they are today.”

“Damn, that’s some serious shit,” Riley said with a grin.

“Yep. And he said that would be after he made them watch him kill their families,” Lucas said.

“He is a scary sonofabitch,” Riley mumbled.

“Glad he’s on our side,” Roman said.

“Me, too. Anyway, he’s confident it’s all good, they’re going to come forward and tell their stories?” Riley asked.

“Oh, yeah. He told them if they didn’t, he’d be seeing them again real soon. Took their wallets and cell phones and said he now knew every single contact they had