The Alpha’s Surgeon

28

Momma Anna leaned in, her eyes twinkling. “You know, Rae, I think it’s only fair—you decorate the shack scary again for Halloween. You get your favorite foods, too. Birthday treat, don’t forget.”

Rae paused mid-bite, eyebrows shooting up. “Wait…you’re bribing me with food to decorate again?”

Momma Anna laughed, wagging a finger. “Absolutely. You know I got the best sweets and treats. And you? You’re turning twenty-nine, baby girl. You deserve it.”

Rae thought for a beat, then grinned wickedly. “Fine—but I’ll only do it if there’s strawberry lemonade and ravioli waiting for me.”

Momma Anna clapped her hands, eyes sparkling. “Done! Strawberry lemonade and ravioli it is.”

Rae dove back into her plate, muttering in Cajun under her breath, “Well…guess I’ll survive a little haunted chaos for these fries, cornbread, and my demands.”

Aspen barked approvingly, licking his chops as if to say, I’m in.

Trey, Will, and Elijah exchanged amused glances, watching Rae shovel food into her mouth with unabashed enthusiasm. Will shook his head, smirking. “That’s…a lot of birthday energy.”

Del elbowed him. “She’s like this every year. Scary, stubborn, and somehow makes everyone feed her just to keep her happy.”

Rae shot Del a mock glare, then laughed, shoving a handful of fries into her mouth. “Keep talking, and you’re sharing your garlic knots with Aspen.”

Momma Anna chuckled, patting Rae’s shoulder. “Now that’s my girl. Scary and smart…just don’t burn down the shack this time, okay?”

Rae grinned around a mouthful of food. “No promises, Momma.”

The table erupted into laughter again, Aspen joining in with happy barks, the chaos of the morning settling into a cozy, energetic warmth.

Once the last bites were devoured, Momma Anna clapped her hands, standing and tugging Rae, Del, and now Remi to their feet.

“Girls, come on! The garden won’t tend itself,” she said, grinning like she already knew they had no choice. Rae groaned dramatically, brushing crumbs off her shirt, Del rolled her eyes but followed laughing, and Remi shook her head with an amused sigh but went along anyway.

That left the boys—Trey, Will, and Elijah—seated with Papi Sam, who had been quietly observing the chaos. Once the girls disappeared into the garden, Papi leaned in slightly, his tone low and serious, eyes scanning the three men.

“Now,” he began, fingers steepled in front of him, “I need to ask. Should I be worried about your intentions with these girls?” His gaze sharpened on each in turn. “We know very well who you are, and what you did to Remi growing up. I don’t want to see any of that happen again…not to Remi, not to Rae, not to Del.”

Will leaned back, expression calm but steady. “You have every right to be cautious, Sam. But we’re not here to hurt them. We’re here to protect. And we’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe.”

Trey added, a faint smirk tugging at his mouth despite the seriousness, “We’re not those kids you remember. Things are different now. And we respect them—and you.”

Elijah nodded, eyes sharp and unwavering. “If anything, we’ll make sure no one even thinks of crossing them. Not now, not ever.”

Papi studied them for a long moment, brow furrowed. “I’ll be watching. Always. But…if what you’re saying is true, then I hope you prove it. For all our sakes.”

The tension lingered, heavy but tempered by the unspoken acknowledgment: these were not the boys he remembered. They were different, and the protection of the girls was now their priority.

Papi leaned back slightly, eyes still sharp as he studied the boys. “You need to understand a little about these girls before you get too comfortable,” he said, voice steady but carrying weight. “Both Rae and Del grew up in Claret, and they came to us when they were fifteen—needing a place to stay, needing someone who’d have their backs.”

He paused, letting the words sink in. “Del’s parents… controlling, narcissistic. Rae’s father… abusive, and a corrupt lawyer on top of it. They didn’t have anyone else. And they found refuge here.”

Trey, Will, and Elijah exchanged quiet glances, the weight of that history settling in.

“Now,” Papi continued, gesturing slightly toward the garden where the girls were likely plotting some chaos, “Aspen trusts you. And because he does, Rae and Del do too. That dog? He knows when someone’s off, when they’re not to be trusted. You can take that as a warning system, because he doesn’t lie.”

Elijah raised an eyebrow. “So, if Aspen doesn’t like someone…”

Papi nodded firmly. “Exactly. And there’s more. Rae has a… well, call it a weird sense. She can feel it—danger, storms, trouble—before it happens. Not always loud and obvious, but it’s there. That’s why she can be a little… unpredictable at times. But it’s always for a reason.”

Will leaned forward, voice quiet but serious. “So if we respect that, respect them, and earn their trust, we’re in their corner.”

Papi gave a small, approving nod. “Exactly. They’re fiercely protective of the people they care about. You show them you’re worthy, and they’ll trust you with everything. But cross them, or put them in danger… and you’ll wish you hadn’t.”

Trey chuckled faintly, but there was respect in his tone. “Sounds like they’ve got a hell of a support system already. We just need to keep up.”

Papi’s gaze softened just slightly. “Yes… and remember, boys: don’t underestimate them. They’re stronger than most people give them credit for.”