Hard to Handle (Caine Cousins #2)(67)

Rhys shrugged. “Shit happens, I guess.”

That seemed to appease Lynx, although Reagan could tell he was irritated by all of it. And that she understood, too.

Her gaze shot over to Amy. The woman was tense, clearly worried. Reagan couldn’t blame her in the least. This man had wreaked havoc on all their lives, but no one had endured anything compared to the hell Amy had lived. Reagan wanted to take the asshole out herself just to keep her friend safe.

“So, what’s the plan?” Wolfe asked, his voice rough. “We can’t stay holed up in this place forever.”

Before Rhys could respond, the shop door opened and in walked…

Travis Walker.

Well, not only Travis this time. Yes, his husband was right behind him but so were… Damn. The line of men who waltzed in behind him seemed to be endless. Not to mention worthy of being on a calendar or something.

“Well, hot damn!” Lynx bellowed, moving toward the group. “If it ain’t trouble times seven.”

Travis grinned.

“I’ll be right back,” Rhys said, reaching for his phone and putting it to his ear as he headed toward the door.

As her brother left, the newcomers shook hands with Lynx and did the bro-hugging thing. Loud slaps on the back and a few rounds of laughter echoed in the cavernous space.

“Come on over here,” Lynx stated.

When his eyes landed on hers, Reagan forced a smile and stood from her chair.

“Y’all, this is my girl, Reagan Trevino. She’s Rhys’s sister.” Lynx put his arm around her. “Reagan, you remember Travis and his husband, Gage. These are Travis’s brothers. Ethan, Sawyer, Kaleb, Zane, and the twins, Braydon and Brendon.”

“Lynx was spoutin’ somethin’ about havin’ a girl back at the Labor Day bonfire,” the one Lynx pointed out as Brendon stated. “However, none of us ever saw you, so we thought you didn’t really exist.”

Chuckling, Reagan shook hands all around, recognizing a couple of faces from the bonfire although she hadn’t been introduced at the time. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise, darlin’,” the youngest-looking one said.

With his arm still around her, Lynx led Reagan over to where Amy was now standing with Wolfe.

The brothers greeted Wolfe, then shook hands with Amy after another round of introductions. No way would Reagan remember all those names, even if they repeated them a dozen times.

“This is my husband, Beau,” Ethan stated.

The big blond guy moved to the front and shook Reagan’s hand, then Amy’s.

Unable to help herself, Reagan studied the men briefly. She had to admit, the good looks ran in Lynx’s family. Still, there was something about Lynx that stood out from the rest. And it was more than just the tattoos.

“So, to what do we owe the honor?” Wolfe questioned, his attention on Travis.

“Thought it was time we put a plan together,” Travis stated.

“Yep,” Zane added, “and we’re the cavalry.”

Lynx chuckled. “Hell, boy, I heard you can’t even wrangle your kiddo.”

Zane grinned from ear to ear, pride etched over his features. “Maybe not, but that don’t stop me from tryin’.”

The shop door opened and Reagan’s head snapped over to see her brother joining them once again. He looked pissed and more than a little tired. She knew this had to be wearing on him. The fact that he was in love with Amy, wanted to keep her safe although his hands were tied, had to be tearing him apart.

Rhys nodded his head at her in acknowledgment and Reagan smiled in return.

“Sheriff,” Wolfe greeted, grinning. “You remember my cousins.”

“I do.”

Once more, handshakes took place, and Reagan attempted to put names with faces as Wolfe pointed everyone out one more time.

“My cousin Jared’s on his way,” Travis noted. “He’s over at DHR with his wife. Said he wanted to be part of this, too. Offerin’ up whatever help he can.”

Jesus Christ. How freaking big was this family?

Reagan thought she had a big family, but hers didn’t hold a candle to this.

Not even close.

However, it did make Reagan want to go visit her mother and grandfather. Even if they tended to fight all the time, she still missed them. And now that she wasn’t with Billy anymore, she had to wonder whether her relationship with them could be repaired. One day. She figured her mother would eventually have to realize that Billy hadn’t been good for her. Despite her mother’s belief that a man and woman should stick together no matter what, there was no denying that she and Billy had been doomed from the start. Then again, Reagan couldn’t deny one of the main reasons she’d stayed with Billy was to defy her grandfather. The man didn’t like anyone.

Not that it was a good reason, but it was a reason nonetheless.

Or it was just another excuse she’d come up with over the years to defend her actions.

Whatever.

The last thing Reagan ever claimed was to be perfect. But as she glanced at Lynx, she had to thank God for second chances.



Kelly didn’t know who these assholes were that seemed to be watching his every move, but it hadn’t been easy giving them the slip. Part of him wanted to do some digging, but he figured that was a moot point. They had to be tied to Amy somehow. And if those rednecks thought they had the upper hand, they had another think coming.