“Jonah. He has a name.”
Scott rolled his eyes. “Fine,Jonah. Tell him everything about you and I mean everything, if he is the one. Don’t go fucking shit up because you’re scared. He has a kid for fuck’s sake.”
Kingston groaned. “You’re seriously giving me relationship advice? When you couldn’t even get over the last guy you were with, who’s been dead for over forty years. What was his name again, Al—”
“Fuck you, Kingston. Don’t ever think about saying his name. Am I clear?”
“Oh, you’re as clear as freshwater, thanks.” Kingston harrumphed. “I’m sorry that was too far, but just because you’ve got your damn damage doesn’t mean I have the same issues. I thought shrinks knew better than to project or some shit like that?”
Scott closed his eyes, knowing Kingston wasn’t trying to be malicious. He just didn’t like anyone talking about Alec. “I’m trying to protect you. I know how you get sometimes.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” Kingston scowled. “I’m a grown-ass man, you know. And just because I have a shitty track record with relationships does not mean you have any right to start lecturing me about how I should handle my absolutely one-hundred percent platonic friendship with a guy you just met ten minutes ago.”
“You’re so fucking hardheaded,” Scott growled.Why do we have to do this every fucking time we see each other? My entire family is filled with trouble makers. It scares me to introduce them to other people. I never know what the fuck they are going to do.Scott mentally shook his head, looking at Kingston.Trouble making asshole.
“And you worry too damn much,” Kingston told him.I wouldn’t worry about you so damn much if you learned to stay out of trouble.“I have things under control.”
“And you’re also a shitty ass liar,” Scott told him. “But, when you fuck things up, my door will be open.”
Kingston leaned up and kissed Scott on the cheek. “Thanks, cousin. But it will be fine, I promise.”
I wish I could believe you.
“If you say so.” Scott wasn’t sure if Kingston realized how defensive he got talking about Jonah, but he was going to leave it alone for the time being—other things were happening in Vale Valley that he needed to be aware of. “Anyway, you’re not the only family member I’ve been seeing lately.”
Kingston groaned. “Who else is here besides us?”
“The Trickster, and the Mutt.”
“The Trickster? What the hell is he doing here? I thought he hated…people? And what did the Mutt do this time?”
“The Mutt is looking for a puppy he misplaced.”
“How the fuck do you misplace a puppy?”
Fucking gods and the stupid shit they do always leaving disaster in the wake.
“It’s the Mutt, do I need to explain any further? Whatever trouble he’s in I don’t want to know. But he seems more agitated than anything else, and that concerns me.”
“That’s not good,” Kingston said. “He has a way of making things worse. What about The Trickster?”
“He told me he wanted to change,” Scott said.
“And you trust him? Do you really think that asshole can change after all the shit he’s done?”
“I’m not that fucking stupid.” Scott rolled his eyes, not believing Kingston would ask a stupid question like that. “Just watch your back, I’m sure he knows you’re here too.” He won’t tell Kingston about what happened in his office with Loki, but he still wanted to warn his cousin that the man was lurking around.
“I’ve never been on his hit list.” Kingston hesitated, and looked over at blondie and the baby. Scott wasn’t sure why Loki was in town, but he felt better warning King. Contrary to what his cousin might believe, Loki had a grudge against everyone in the family. “Is that what the whole bit about telling Jonah all our family secrets was for? Does your kitty know who you are?”
“Yes and no,” Scott answered, then looked at Quintus. “I tried telling him the other day, but he freaked when I told him what my family did for a living.”
“That’s never a good pick up line,” Kingston said. “Hey, my family’s filthy rich. And oh, yeah, we’re super powerful, too. And let’s not forget the uncle that’s always trying to kill everyone to get to the top.”
Scott chuckled, Kingston always had a way of speaking the truth and making him laugh at the same time. “Anyway, I’m just giving you a heads up. I would hate for anything to happen to you or anyone you care about. The Trickster is fucking unstable, and I’m not sure what the hell he’s up to.”
“Tell me something I don’t already fucking know,” Kingston said, shaking his head. “He’s no longer invited to the family barbecues for the shit he pulls.”
Scott didn’t want to, but he cracked a smile.Leave it to Kingston to make a fucking joke at a serious moment. “Don’t ever fucking change.”
