Mine to Keep (NOLA Knights #3) - Rhenna Morgan Page 0,48

the country, for that matter. That’s his wife, Vivienne. Who, by the way, has a background pretty similar to yours. She’s now running her own marketing, PR and event planning company in Dallas.

“The blond-haired cowboy with the killer swagger and the gorgeous woman with him are Trevor and Natalie Raines. Trevor grew up on a farm and has a serious love for horses, but his biggest passion is airplanes. He’s the one with the charter service. Natalie was a single mom to a boy just four years older than Emerson when the two of them met. Had a mega-asshole for an ex who liked to throw his fists when things didn’t go his way.”

The silver-haired woman looked up as if she sensed someone talking about her and locked gazes with Bonnie.

“That’s Ninette,” Cassie said softly. “She’s Jace’s momma. Coolest lady I know—next to my aunt Freida, anyway. She’s got a bestie named Sylvie who couldn’t make it today. She stayed home to take care of Trevor and Natalie’s boy so they could have a night out alone in New Orleans tonight.”

“And the yummilicious guy next to her?”

Ninette grinned and nudged the man beside her. He glanced up, spied Cassie and Bonnie and waved.

“That’s Danny Parker. He’s a Haven brother, too, and his sister is married to another guy who didn’t make the trip today—Zeke Dugan.” Cassie clamped her hand around Bonnie’s triceps and tugged her forward. “Come on. I’ll introduce you.”

Shit.

She hated meeting new people. Was always worried she’d say something stupid or go all-in and offend the ever-lovin’ hell out of someone. Though, she had to admit, this particular crew did seem to be her kind of people. “What do you mean brother? These guys don’t look related.”

“They’re not. But sometimes family built on choice is stronger than those built on blood.”

Truer words had never been spoken. She’d have said as much but they moved into talking distance too quickly. One by one, she shook hands and traded hellos and nice-to-meet-yous, the entirety of the New Orleans crew staunchly bolstering the space behind and around her.

Danny was the last of the group to greet her and, while his smile was just as genuine as everyone else’s, his expression held manly appreciation as well. One of those easy-going, flirtatious looks that invited a girl to linger a while and see where things led. He’d also held her hand a fraction longer than everyone else and focused on her as though there was no one else in the backyard. “So, have you lived in NOLA your whole life?”

“Born and bred, yeah.”

“That’s awesome.” Danny shifted enough to make eye contact with Jace. “Maybe we could take her with us when we go out scouting. I bet she’d know the best places for our kind of shop.”

“Scouting for what?” Evie said.

“Been talkin’ to Danny about going in on a custom ride business in New Orleans,” Jace said. “The shop he opened in Dallas is at max capacity. We figured we spend enough time here, this might be a good spot to branch out.”

“Custom rides?” Bonnie said. “We talkin’ cars or motorcycles?”

Danny shrugged, but his smile was pure delight. “Either. Both. Whatever the customer wants.”

“He’s really good,” Vivienne said. “You should see the one he made for Zeke.”

“Oh, yeah,” Natalie said. “A ’69 cherry red Z28.”

“Well, that was more of a refurb with extra engine added in than a custom,” Danny said. “But she is pretty.”

Hoooly shit. She could talk bikes and cars. Maybe this wouldn’t be the barbecue from hell after all.

Roman’s heat blanketed her back all of a second before his hand cupped her shoulder. His words were anvil heavy compared to the light conversation that had come before it. “Bonnie cannot go. Not without me.”

The shock rattling through Bonnie was echoed in the faces of everyone around her, but it was Trevor who spoke up. “Something wrong?”

“Two men attacked her last night,” Roman said. “Her brother and father were taken on Monday and cannot be found. Until we find them and are certain she is no longer a target, she will not be left unguarded.”

“Well, that’s not a problem.” Evie’s voice was as innocent as could be, but there was an unmistakable mischief in her eyes. “A few of the guys could go with her. It doesn’t have to be you.”

Roman’s hand on her shoulder tightened.

Jace noted the subtle action, as did Trevor, but it was Danny who spoke. “No, man. I get it. If it was my woman, I wouldn’t