Ballers: His Game (Ballers Series Book 1)(46)

“I’ll drive you,” Mike says with a smug smile on his face.

I want to smack the smile right off. The whole time we dated he tried to use Ellie to get his way on just about everything. I see my mother and the girls frowning as well out the corner of my eyes.

“Hey, Mr. Mike,” Ellie chirps. “Thank you, but I want my Daddy to drive me.”

“Your daddy is ready to, Sugar,” Brad says with a cocky grin on his face. “Let’s go win us a race.”

“I’ll keep Tam company for you big man,” Mike says smugly.

“Ellie baby, you go pick us out a car,” Brad says pushing Ellie toward the cars.

“Okay,” she sings and takes off as fast as her little legs will take her.

“I don’t think we have met properly. I’m Bradley Monroe, Tam’s man and Ellie’s father. I don’t share what’s mine, so unless I’m misreading your body language you might want to check yourself around my family,” Brad growls low.

“Where were you when I was taking care of your family,” Mike hisses back.

My head whips back and I turn to glare at Mike. Brad goes to lunge at him but I place my body between them placing a hand on Brad’s chest. “I don’t remember you taking care of anything Mike,” I snap. “We dated for a while, nothing more. Just dates. Don’t try to play me or my man like I’m some cheap hoe or something, especially in front of my family. I think you should leave.”

“Come on Tam it’s not like that and you know it,” Mike sighs in frustration.

“Nah man,” my brother rumbles as he steps up beside Brad. “You’re my boy, but I’m not feeling what you’re trying right now. This man asked you to respect his family and my sister asked you to leave. You told me you didn’t want any trouble. You wanted to come for Ellie. That’s not looking to be true to me right now, so I’m feeling some type of way. I think you should take all of our suggestions and make a quick exit.”

“Yeah, alright man,” Mike nods but doesn’t look to happy about conceding.

We all watch him walk off. I look up at Brad to see his jaw working under the skin. I wasn’t expecting him to claim his position so firmly. Honestly, my panties are soaked right now. Brad is hot when he is protecting what is his.

His blue eyes are blazing and his cheeks are flushed red from anger. I bite back a laugh, because in this very moment my man is looking like Thor, ready to go into battle. I lift up on my toes and wrap my arms around his neck.

“Bradley,” I call his name as he is still watching Mike leave. “Baby.” I call again.

This time his eyes slowly meet mine. I reach to tuck his hair behind his ear and cup his face with my hand. “Thank you for defending me, but he isn’t worth being upset over. Our baby is waiting on you. She is excited for her daddy to win her a race. Last thing we want is for you to be like this while driving our daughter around at her party,” I say softly.

He pinches his eyes closed and when they open again the storm that was brewing is gone. He tugs on my waist and brings is lips down on mine in a passionate kiss before pulling away and placing a kiss to my forehead. He doesn’t say another word as he turns and heads for an excited Bri.

I stand watching my man walk over to our daughter scooping her up and tossing her in the air before he catches her, whispering something in her ear that causes her to throw her head back and laugh. He then walks over to Uri and his son, shaking hands with Uri as Bri shakes hands with Nori. Then they are off into their go carts.

“You know my husband will take care of that little problem for you,” Valentina says with a sly smile. I have come to know this woman and her husband through her brother in law and Reese in the last four years. They have secrets and I know from Reese that they are nothing nice.

She may be smiling and looking amused as she says this but I know that the teasing tone she is using is in case someone else hears. Reese steps to my other side shaking her head. “Behave Valentina,” Reese chuckles. “Although, I told you there was something I never liked about him. He was trying to get a beat down today. If looks could kill, with the way your father, Nico and Uri were looking over here that man would be toast.”

“I’m just saying we can make that happen,” Valentina shrugs. “How is he going to come to this baby’s party disrespecting not just you but her father as well?”

Valentina places a hand on her hip and presses her lips. “Ignore her,” Reese giggles she has been extra snippy since we got on the plane.

“Mama,” Valentina’s daughter Vita runs up and rifles off rapid Italian to her mother excitedly.

“Vita baby, English, what have I told you,” Valentina says gently.

“Mama, Uncle Nico promised Inzo he would drive him around the track. I want to race too, Mama. Will you drive me please?” the precious little girl asks her mother.

“Oh honey, I don’t think that is a good idea for mommy right now. Remember we talked about this,” Valentina says.

“Oh,” Vita says sadly then places a hand on her mother’s stomach. She kisses her mother’s belly and pats it. “I forgot.”

“You’re pregnant again,” Reese gasps. It is hard to miss the sadness in her eyes. “I should have known, that explains.”

Valentina groans. “Nico asked us not to tell you yet,” Valentina sighs.