“You’re so jaded by your responsibilities you don’t see the bigger picture.”
“Maybe you should take yours a little more seriously, big brother, because you’re not doing well to protect your family.”
The blue struck out at Erik, but he blocked it while I pushed my aura out around me. Erik didn’t need my help. A wall of red rushed at Hunter quicker than he could recover from the block and our big brother was flung to the other end of the room, all eyes landing on him.
Erik looked furious, and Sloan appeared next to him as Hunter got back up to his feet.
There wasn’t a single wisp of blue that reached Erik as it was blocked by red, green, and then black.
“Hunter. Give it a rest,” I warned him.
The Gods around us all watched, whispering at the display. Fights between us were conducted privately, where Hunter could keep his spotless image intact.
“GET OUT!” Hunter roared. “ALL OF YOU!”
I opened my mouth, wanting to poke at the bear but green wrapped around me and I appeared at Martyn Hankel’s home with Erik and Sloan.
“Are you okay?” Sloan asked her husband.
“Fine.”
Erik shook himself, aura still drifting around him as he wasn’t fully in control.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” I told him, trying to be a responsible older brother.
“He’s using people like chess pieces. It’s fine if he wants to mess up his own life but he shouldn’t play with others.”
“Brother, I appreciate the support.” I held him by the shoulders and made him look at me. “But you have a wife and children to think of. I can fight my own battles.”
Erik sighed, and I watched the red fade away from around him.
“Thanks though. Also, you’re welcome to knock Hunter on his ass for any other reason. Just don’t want Sloan to kill me because I’m the cause of your death.”
Erik laughed and rubbed the back of his neck. “It got a little heated.”
“Just a little, love,” Sloan said.
“I’m heading back to Scott’s. If you need anything, if he comes here trying to pick a fight, Sloan, come and get me,” I told them.
Sloan nodded, and I made my way back to Quentin’s place.
The house was quiet, and I found myself laughing. Hunter was losing the plot and so what if I revelled in people’s misery? Someone had to, right? It was about time Hunter was put in his place.
Looking around the living room, I saw a stack of dusty vinyl records tucked away and I thumbed through them before pulling one out and placing it in the player. Smooth music made its way through the house, filling the silence, and I was surprised she’d listen to such old music.
The voice crooned through the house, and my mood lifted to the rafters.
No one was going to find out about her.
They were too busy with their own shit.
Sitting in a small cafe, Matthew and I ordered brunch and chatted away. We were tucked away in a cosy booth with the scent of sugary syrup surrounding us.
“Cass isn’t having any of it,” I told him. “But you can’t blame Sophie for trying.”
Matt smiled and bit into a slice of toast. “I’m looking forward to meeting them both at the wedding.”
I choked on my coffee, spluttering in the most unladylike fashion.
