Bogs held up his hand. “I didn’t. I was afraid the whole house would go up in flames seeing that much fire.” Bogs laughed and continued tapping on his keyboard. She was prepared to tell him to fuck off. After all, Bogs was older than her.Again, asshole!Instead, she remained silent, watching his features ease. He leaned closer to the screen, angling his head as his eyes drifted. He must have found Cord’s information.
“Got him?” Stone asked.
Bogs lifted his gaze, eyeing Stone, and then Roxanne. The corner of his mouth cocked up slightly, which seemed odd. “Yeah, I got him, but I think Rox is right. I mean, this is her shit. Let her handle it. After all, she is anadult.”
Roxanne widened her eyes, caught off guard. She hadn’t expected Bogs to back her up, but it was welcomed.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Stone rushed forward, slamming his palms on the desk and shooting Bogs a harsh glare. “There’s no way she’s going by herself to some fucking asshole's house. Are you fucking stupid?”
Bogs snickered. “Always gotta start with the insults, don’t you?”
“Bogs.” Stone’s tone was feral, sending an obvious warning. Roxanne’s gaze darted between her brothers. She was more than happy to have Bogs on her side, recognizing she could handle this on her own. But something was off. She just didn’t know what.
Bogs leveled his hands in front of his chest. “Stone, she’s twenty-six. She’s smart and knows enough to protect herself in any situation.” Bogs grinned, turning to Roxanne. “She’s got this, man.”
For a brief second, she shared a silent moment with Bogs.Thank you.It didn’t last.
“No. Fucking. Way,” Stone shouted so loud, she was sure some of the wall hangings shifted. It was enough for any normal person to back down.
But not me!
Roxanne turned to Stone, pinning him with her stare. He was going to hear her whether he liked it or not. She wasn’t looking for anyone’s approval.
“Stone, seriously?” Roxanne scoffed and turned to Bogs, stretching out her hand. “Give me his address.”
Bogs scribbled something on a Post-it Note and handed it to her. With a quick look, she saw all the information she needed.Brace yourself, Cord, I’m coming for you.She tucked it in her bag and slipped past Stone, who looked like he was about to combust.
“Rox, you are not going there alone!” Stone shouted.
Ah, older brothers.Overprotective, slightly overbearing, and bossy as hell. Roxanne was having none of it.
“Watch me.”
“Stone?” Bogs said.
Roxanne walked to the door and glanced over her shoulder, catching the exchange between her brothers.
“Let her do this.” The corner of Bogs’ mouth curled, and he mouthed, “Trust me.”
She squinted her eyes.Trust him?What did that mean? His confidence in her ability? Roxanne had doubts about his meaning. And why did Bogs seem amused? Stone’s glare turned on her, and she darted out the door. Roxanne rushed through the office, making her way to the parking lot. She brushed aside the odd sensation that Bogs knew something she didn’t.
She headed south toward her apartment. She’d be a woman of her word and give Cord the whole day to man up. But if he didn’t?
Your ass is mine, Cord.
****
Jonah stretched his arms over his head, feeling the tightness in his neck and biceps. Most days, he felt older than thirty. A lifetime older. Jonah had no regrets. Life dealt him a hand, and he played it. Still, it wasn’t what he’d envisioned. Virtually a parent of two at eighteen? The sole caregiver and provider for a six-year-old and a nine-year-old. Jonah had barely experienced adulthood when he was throttled with responsibility most kids his age couldn’t fathom.And the years are showing.
A quick glance at the overhead clock in the workshop told him it was time to call it a night. Eleven-thirty and he had to be up at four-fifteen. It was barely enough time to recover from a long day. But doable. He would know. Jonah had done it for years. He rolled his neck, releasing some of the tension. His hours had always been long, but lately he was feeling the effects of it.
You’re not twenty-three anymore.
It was a hard truth. His life path looked a lot different from most. He ambled over to the machines and double-checked they were off before shutting off the lights and locking up his workshop.
The building was set back in his yard, next to the garage. He’d built the addition last year, setting up his workshop separate from the garage. It was two cars wide with a loft upstairs. Nothing fancy, but it served its purpose for his one true love. He’d fiddled around with woodwork since shop class in middle school. Who would’ve thought building a birdhouse would spiral into what he was creating now? The earningsfrom his projects didn’t solely pay the bills. Thank God for his construction company, which had become hugely successful. But he always came back to the woodwork. It was his escape.My calling.
He stopped midway to the house when headlights beamed through the backyard. It must’ve been Cord, his middle brother, seeing as how Holden, the youngest, was already in for the night. At twenty-one, Cord didn’t have a curfew, but at Jonah’s request, he checked in. He waited for him to park and made his way to the back door.
