How the hell did I not realize?
I move to the nearest pillar and pick up the statue on it. Maya’s gasp makes my lips twitch.
“Relax, I’m not going to break it.” I turn to the room at large. “Is it safe to say that the stuff on the
walls is fine? It’s the display pillars you guys have a problem with?” More nods.
“Ok, let’s get this shit moved. You guys grab the pillars. Ladies, would you mind taking the art
pieces and following us?”
Nobody asks questions. The women move forward and take the art carefully, as I knew they
would. Even Becca. All my brothers stay way back until the expensive pieces are safely away. Then I
lead everyone to my empty guest room, line the art up along one wall, and rest the pillars on the other.
Everyone backs out slowly. I close the door behind me, and a collective sigh of relief echoes through
the room.
“That is so much better,” Declan says. “See, so much room.” He flaps his arms, waving them
around in the large entryway. “Nothing to break. I can finally breathe.”
I roll my eyes but secretly love how comfortable everyone looks now. They rush back to the
living room, grabbing their spots. I bought these massive plush sofas for this moment, and I’m so
fucking glad it’s arrived. Maybe now people will come over more.
Becca drops down into Kade’s lap. “You know, you have a lot of beautiful pieces in here. Now
that the scary breakable stuff is gone, I can actually enjoy the other stuff.”
“You too?” I ask.
She snorts and waves down her body, then the room. “Hello. bull, meet china shop.”
Colton snorts at that, then squeals and skitters away as Becca leans down, looking like she’s about
to give him a purple nurple. It wouldn’t be the first time.
We all sit, chuckling, enjoying each other’s company and the new lightness in the room, when
Maya speaks up.
“Your brother, Johnny. How long has he been in prison?”
Colton sobers, rolling on his side and propping his head on his hand. “Eighteen years.”
She nods, brow furrowed. “Well, I don’t know much about being in prison, but I do know what
it’s like to live a…small life. I did the same things every day. Saw the same people. Went to the same
places. I knew exactly what I was supposed to do each and every day. I think prison might be like
that.” She gazes around the room, worrying at her lip with her teeth. We give her encouraging nods to
