“I might.”
“Why the fuck would you die?”
“Because, Imayhave told him that I’d kick his ass, an—”
“Youwhat?”
“See. Immediate death.” Colson wails.
Remember how I said Ella’s ex works for the Ballantine boys and that they’re notoriously in and out of jail? Yeah, they’re fuckingbaddudes, but they’re also my late wife’s cousins. She and I eloped, and the twins were back home in Scotland when we held her funeral. Thankfully, since Billie was born, they’ve had the good graces to leave us out of their shit. I knew it was only a matter of time before I had to see them again. While I don’t know how deep their shit goes, I sure as hell don’t want my brother caught up in it.
Colt’s boots scuff against the dirt, a sheepish exhale leaving his lips as he looks back at me with a look of sheer panic. I place Annabeth’s boots on the work bench and rub my hands down my face, trying to wipe away the knowledge my brother has just instilled on me.
“Colson, what the actual FUCK?” I scream. He stifles a laugh, which only pisses me off more. “You need to sort this out. Now,” Itell him with a stern tone. If there was ever a time I wish Dad was here to kick his ass, it’s now.
“I know, I know. He left after that, and they’re coming over later.”
“Who are? The twins?” I ask. Colt nods slowly in response.
“Well, brother. You’d better pray to any god who’ll listen that blood runs thicker than money.”
An all-too familiar accent answers me. “Dallas, surely ye cannae be talking about us.” Colt and I both turn around.
Now, standing before us, is a tall, well-built man, covered in tattoos. A leather jacket hugs his frame perfectly before resting against the thick, studded belt looped through his jeans. His boots are black, razor-like spurs clasped firmly to them. He looks up at us from beneath the brim of his hat, a cigarette lazily hanging from his lips, eyes glistening as he smirks.
“Been a long time, eh, cousin.”
I extend a hand to Kai, and his heavily tattooed one – adorned with a brutal array of rings – returns the gesture. I’m completely taken aback when he pulls me in for a brotherly hug.
“Kai. Good to see you.”
“Aye, it is. Now, something tells me our boy Colson here has had a wee run in with one of ours. We cannae ‘ave that.”
Colt pushes me aside, his chest puffed like he’s ready to fight his last battle. Nice one, Colson. “Look, he started it an—”
“Woah, easy tiger. I never said I was comin’ ’ere lookin’ for a fight, eh. Iknowmy crew.” Colt’s overly bravado stance waivers long enough for Kai to flash him a wink. This throws Colt for a loop, and I have to stifle a laugh as Kai circles my brother, a devilish look in his eye.
“Where’s Alister?” I ask.
“He’s back at the station, tyin’ up some looseends,” Kai replies, his tone darkening. Kai is only a few years older than Colt, and despite being several inches shorter, he really can be a terrifying bloke. He ceases his pacing, stopping directly in front of my brother, who I’m all but certain is about to shit himself, when Kai wraps his arms around him, pulling him in for a hug much like the one he greeted me with.
“Family is forever, Colson. No matter what shit you get into, you call us.” The fear leaves Colt’s eyes, replaced by a mixture of confusion, and relief. I have to say, my fear subsides a little as well.
“Wait, you’re not mad?” Colt asks.
Kai presses their foreheads together. “No. You’re one of ours. We promised Sam we’d look out for you. Nobody threatens one of ours.” Colt opens his mouth to protest, but Kai cuts him off. “Don’t matter who you are, or ain’t fuckin’, Colt. If this lassie is yours and Dale’s a problem, we remove the problem. Simple. Plus, Ace and I really never liked him too much.”
Kai slaps Colt on the back, a gesture I imagine was meant to be endearing, but he does it with such force that I’m pretty sure Colt is now winded. Kai releases my brother, turning to face the both of us before giving us a single nod. He sparks his cigarette, turns on his heels, and leaves. The moment he’s out of earshot, Colt stares at me with a frenzied panic in his eye. “What do you think he meant byremove?”
Colt and I head back into the house, he takes a seat on one of the bar stools as I fetch two crystal glasses from the cupboard, filling them to the brim with the malt liquor on the counter before handing one to my brother.
“Colson, I have no idea, and I don’t fucking want to.”
Twenty-Five
Annabeth
School has been back for all of three days, and Ialreadyfeel like I need another holiday. To be fair, I spent my entire break falling head-over-heels in love with a gorgeous cowboy, but that’s neither here nor there.
