Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 82524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
“I need you two focused on getting our distribution channels locked down.”
“Kellan’s got that.” Devlin wanders closer to the pines. “You ever wonder if the stories about this place are true? Not the Jersey Devil shit, but look at it. You got to think a lot of bad, dark things have happened in those woods.”
I grit my teeth. Devlin’s always been attracted to the dark side of life. Not that I can blame him. My youngest brother was born in fire and raised in blood. It’s all he knows.
“Let Dev look into it,” Kellan suggests. “If we really do have a traitor, we need them found sooner rather than later.”
I don’t love it, but he’s got a point. “Alright, Devlin. Run this down for me. Check out everyone working at the house that day.”
“Yes, captain, my captain.” He salutes sarcastically. “Now, when do I get to meet the new family?”
We continue talking business but soon I take my brothers back through the walls and into the main compound. Nunzio is waiting on the driveway, a few of his soldiers standing off to the side, while Hattie draws ponies with laser cannons attached to their backs and unicorns with magic wands and a whole lot of what looks like explosions all around them.
June seems very unhappy about all this and watches warily as we approach.
“I see there are more of you,” she says, eyes locked on me.
“Sister-in-law, allow me to introduce myself.” Devlin ignores her scowl and holds out a respectful hand. “I’m Devlin, the smartest and best-looking brother.”
“My balls you are,” Kellan says gruffly but flinches at the look I throw. “Sorry, sorry, not used to watching my mouth around kids. I’m Kellan, nice to meet you.”
June shakes Devlin’s hand. “June. The unwilling wife.”
Devlin bursts out laughing. “I love it! The unwilling wife! I’m going to write a romance novel with that title. I bet it’ll be a best seller. You ladies are absolute sickos for psychopaths, right?”
June’s locked jaw softens. “You don’t seem like the romance novel type.”
“Why not? Especially the dark stuff.” Devlin swoops over and crouches beside Hattie. “And who are these beautiful creatures?”
“That’s Lord Cornish of the Unicorn League and that’s his arch rival King Chesterton.”
“I like the stars. Is that a jetpack?”
“Blastbomb shooter.”
“Sick. You’re cool, kid. Can I draw too?”
Hattie gives him the blue chalk very seriously. “Be careful. They’re in a war.”
I watch in bewilderment as Devlin gets to work, he and Hattie chatting at each other as he sketches what she tells him to. June wanders to my side and Kellan dismisses himself to go get something to eat.
“Your brothers seem…” She trails off, finger to her chin.
“Nice probably isn’t the word.”
“No, but… look at them.” She smiles and for the first time, it looks like some of the weight on her is lightened. My heart sings, real joy in my chest. This is what family is meant to be. Not a burden. Not a problem to be solved. But a solution.
“Devlin’s good with kids. I think he’s still a kid himself.”
“Doesn’t look like one.”
“Don’t let it fool you. He’s got a good heart.” Somewhere underneath all the black rot, hate, and ash.
“He’s got letters on his fingers—“ She squints at Devlin’s hand. “Same word you have. Ashes.” She turns and looks curious. “What’s that mean?”
“Another time.” I put my hand on her lower back and steer her from Hattie and Devlin. I don’t want to start talking about the fire right now, but I’ll have to tell her eventually. “I made you a promise yesterday.”
She lights up when I press a phone into her hands. “Is this for me?”
“There’s one number in it. You can reach Marnie’s guard. He’ll put her on for you.”
Her face falls. “Her guard?”
“I’m protecting the people you care about. I won’t let what happened last time happen again.”
“Really? You’re doing that?”
“You’d hate me if I didn’t.”
She gazes at me and there’s no anger for a moment, but she quickly turns away. “Damn right I would. I’m going to call her now. Would you… take care of Hattie?”
My guts clench. “I’d be happy to.”
“Thank you.”
June walks off the driveway toward a big tree growing nearby. I turn to watch my brother and my daughter drawing together. Devlin laughs at something she says, and Hattie punches him in the knee, which only makes him howl louder.
I haven’t felt like this in years. Watching my daughter and my youngest brother together wakes something in my heart. I thought that part of me was long dead… but there’s warmth in my stomach…
Devlin comes over a few minutes later. “Good kid. I like her.”
“Then find the people who tried to take her away.”
His expression sharpens. That manic smile of his turns to a savage excitement. “We’re going to make them scream, brother.”
I glance at June, talking to Marnie and crying with happiness, and over to Hattie, still drawing.