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It had been pleasant to the point of nausea-inducing politeness. I should have suspected I was being lulled into a false sense of security worthy of my fellow former operatives when finally, after fifteen minutes, Kane switched subjects.

“So, what are you going to do with yourself now that you’re back home? Any plans you want to share?” My oldest brother’s casual tone would have fooled anyone else into believing he was just curious. But I knew better. He was now settled and calmer than I’d ever seen him, but just underneath his words was the skepticism I remember from my youth. Kane, or Chase for that matter, hadn’t put a lot of faith behind my decision-making as a teenager.

Years spent working with unlimited freedom from the powers within the government few Americans were aware of, and my recent awards did little to tamp down my reawakened need to impress my brothers. I had always done stupid shit to prove to them I could hang with them. Now at thirty-four, was I any closer to proving I was worthy of their respect?

The path I’d chosen had dictated that I remain in the shadows, honed my skills without ceremonies and quietly played my part in keeping those around me, and those I’d never met, safe. And I’d kept most of it secret from my brothers.

But I wasn’t here for a therapy session, even though I lived amongst men and women who’d now made it their new mission to help veterans and first responders work through their traumas.

Now was not the time to ruminate on my life choices and what I gave up. I was here to begin my next chapter, reconnect with my brothers, and maybe, just maybe, convince the sexy, standoffish woman from my past that beneath my teenage bravado, she’d always been the one I wanted to impress the most.

And now I was home. The place my brothers and I once couldn’t wait to leave. The place that continued calling us no matter where we slept. It was time to share the decision I’d made and how I planned to use the skills I’d developed working undercover.

“Yeah, so I’m glad you asked. I’ve been working on something, just in my head until recently. Until I knew for sure I was stepping away from...the job.” I’d told my superior six months ago that I was done, but it had taken months to disentangle myself, so not just mine, but my teammates’ covers wouldn’t be blown.

“The job, huh? You ever going to tell us exactly what that entailed, or is it going to be a ‘If I tell you, then I’d have to kill you’ type of answer?” Chase grinned, bringing the deep lines at the corners of his eyes into full relief. Man, it was good seeing him smile again. The last time we’d met up overseas on a rare break, he’d been moody, intense, and, like me, unable to discuss what his job was.

Guess the love he’d rediscovered with his now-wife, Astrid, had driven those demons from him. I’d rather be picking his brains for ideas on how to win over Hannah, and for that matter, Kane’s too, but maybe later. In the short time I’d been staying with them, I marveled at how Kane and Chassie couldn’t have been a better fit for each other. Hell, Kane had practically mooned over his wife when he introduced me to her.

I returned Chase’s smile and chuckled. Man, that felt good. Couldn’t remember the last time that had happened spontaneously. “Nah, stories for another day. But in a way, what I want to do now has some connection to it. I’d like to open a protection agency. Base it here in Pineville. This area and the surrounding communities have grown so much, and unfortunately brought with it a new set of problems local law enforcement can’t always handle.”

Pausing, I gauged their reactions. Both brothers locked in, their gazes steady, waiting for more info before offering their opinions. Wouldn’t have expected less from them, actually.

“I know there are a couple of companies already in town, like our cousin’s outfit. But Seth and his buddy Zak do more close protection for corporate and high-profile individuals, right?”

Kane nodded. Then, Chase answered, “Right. They have a contract with the Idaho Outlaws to protect their key players and sometimes their families. So you’re thinking something like that?”

Before I responded, I signaled the waitress for another round. “Not quite. I want to offer services to the average person. Those who can’t quite afford their price tag, yet are the most vulnerable and more likely to experience physical harm without protection. Plus, those that are targeted by, shall we say, less than reputable individuals. And I’d like you two on board. I know you’re committed to the Triple R and its mission, but I’m hoping maybe you could balance both.”

The server arrived just then, and set down three bottles but then hovered, shifting from one foot to the other next to my left elbow. “Um, if you need anything else, just let me know. Anything.” I turned to see her hopeful, yet sultry, promise-filled expression that left little doubt as to what her declaration meant.

It had been a while since I’d been hit on. “Oh, um, thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.” My answer wasn’t the one she was expecting. With a huff, she turned on her heel and stomped off.

“C’mon, Ross. She’s been practically eye-fucking you since we walked in. You’re the last of us who can still⁠—”

I cut Chase off with a hard glare. “Just because I can doesn’t mean I should, or want to. Besides, she’s not the one I want, okay? Give me some credit for not crudely treating her like an object.”

“Whoa. Where’s this coming from? He was teasing you, bro. It’s not like you’ve been back long enough to have met or even started dating someone, or wait...have you? Are you?” Kane’s concern made me want to confess my feelings for Hannah. Because I was going to have to do that soon with Jett if I wanted to ensure my friendship with him continued. And yeah, after seeing how my brothers were all happy and settled just solidified that I could have that too.

Chase had been watching me closely while Kane played peacemaker, a grin growing on his face. He’d always been the smart one, and I knew what was coming. “It’s Hannah, isn’t it? She’s the one you want. The reason you’re back. I knew it.”

“How could you? I never said a word, and I’ve been back only two days, not enough time for you to know anything.” Yeah, smart was one thing, smug was another and calling out my feelings so quickly when I thought I’d kept them hidden gave me pause. Maybe I wasn’t as great as I thought I was at not revealing my feelings for Hannah.

“No, not Hannah. C’mon, you telling me you have a hard-on for your best friend’s sister? The one you teased non-stop throughout high school? She’s not one to forget shit like that, Ross. You were hard on her. Too hard. And Jett’s going to remember that too.” Kane was the last person I’d expect to know about what a douche I was to Hannah. He’d already taken off for the service before I hit high school. Chase must have blabbed.

All hope of steering this conversation back to my future plans quickly fled. Shit, might as well explain myself. “I know I was an ass to her, but I had my reasons. Which, if you think about it, made sense at the time. She was, is my best friend's sister.” That was it, my entire defense.

“Former best friend when he finds out you want to defile his sister.” Chase scoffed.

“We’re talking like that’s even a possibility. Hannah’s not going to forgive him. Have you had a conversation with her? She’s never been afraid to speak her mind or stand up for herself, not by a long shot.” Kane directed his question at Chase. Not me. They continued on like I wasn’t even there.

“Sure, I have, and so has Addy, by the way. She wants Hannah to design an art therapy class to add to the Triple R’s curriculum. And you know, the more I think about it, Hannah is way out of this one’s league.” Chase pointed his thumb at me, and yeah, that stung.

“Hey, I’m right here. She may be out of my league, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to try. Besides, I plan to visit her studio and apologize to her.”

In unison, my brothers asked, “What about Jett?”

“After I talk to Jett.”