“I’m disappointed.”
Oh fuck. We’re screwed. Mom being angry is survivable. Mom being disappointed is not. That means punishment for everyone. Even Dad. Dad cuts a hard glare toward Liam.
“This is your fault.” He points at Liam.
“No, it’s mine. I’m the reason they were fighting. I’m so sorry.” Colton steps in front of me. Actually, steps between my family and me.
For a second, I just stare at his back. Does he think he can protect me from them? Would he really try? He went after Declan for me.
Declan.
Most people avoid him on instinct, but Colton threw himself right into the middle of it without hesitation. Declan is biggerthan me. He’s massive compared to Colton. But none of that mattered to him. He still put himself in harm’s way for me.
Something hits me so hard it almost hurts. Colton is mine. But somehow, impossibly, I think I’m his too. Is he aware of that? Does he realize what he’s doing to me? In my family, we protect each other no matter what. But none of us steps between Mom and whoever she’s angry with.
Ever.
And yet Colton is standing there like he can shield me from her disappointment.
“No, sweetheart, it’s not. I tried my best to raise them all with some common sense, but it didn’t work with most of them. I’m sorry you were put in this position. Now,” she turns toward Liam, “you will watch what you say to or about Colton. To make sure you remember your manners, you will take supplies to the assisted living home once a week for the next three weeks, on bingo night. Bring your bingo cards to me each time.”
I try my hardest not to laugh. Liam hates having to go to the assisted living home. It isn’t that he has any particular dislike for old people; it’s the pinching of his cheeks and the inappropriate comments the old ladies make to him. I watch on the security cams every time he has to go.
“You, Declan, I’ll be talking it over with Xavier. I think he mentioned wanting to hand out fliers at the local high schools about the shelter.” She looks at Kieran. “You and I will talk later.”
“What about Ronan?” Liam says smugly. I want to choke him again. While I know he is just trying to get a rise out of me, mission accomplished, it still pisses me off. No one should ever talk to or about Colton like that, joke or not.
She looks at Liam. “Ronan isn’t being punished. He was reacting to you. He was defending what’s his, and you knew that when you started it. Keep questioning me, and it will be four weeks. Apologize to Colton and your brother.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry, Colton, Ronan. My comment was inappropriate and in poor taste. I didn’t mean anything by it. It really was meant as a joke.”
The baby monitor in her hand crackles to life. “Well, hello, sunshine. Did you have a good nap? You can call me Uncle Xavy.” Ollie’s giggle comes through the speakers clearly. I hadn’t noticed Xavier leaving. “Ew, what is that smell?”
“That’s my cue. I expect you all to behave.” And with that, Mom leaves the room. I look at Colton. Something’s wrong; his face is blank, and he’s staring at the floor. I don’t like it.
“Are you okay? Are you hurt?” He finally looks at me.
“No, I’m not fucking okay. What the fuck just happened?”
“Alessia Murphy just happened,” Declan answers. Colton slowly turns his head toward Declan and then back at me.
“Why did you attack your brother?” he asks me.
“Because he had no right to say that about sharing you. I’m not sharing.”
“What does that even mean? Does he want me to work for him? Is he in IT, too?”
“It means you’re—” I stop myself from telling him that it’s because he is mine. “Liam is in operations, mainly import-export. He’s just being his usual annoying self.”
Colton just shakes his head.
“Declan Dirk Murphy! Did you really just put Ronan in that naked back thingy hold?” Xavier rushes back into the office.
“The what now?” Colton asks.
“The MMA naked move or whatever.” Xavier moves his arms around.
“A rear-naked choke, and yes, I did. He was choking Liam.”
