“I don’t know shit about painting. I asked Heath, and he asked someone else; I paid them. Like I told Hunter, if you need something different, I’ll ask the guy to get that.” My brother doesn’t even realize he’s making all the right moves.
“That’s—” Haven looks at me and then Rylee. “It’s too much.”
“No,” Bane says. I hear Heath and Juliana’s muffled laughter in the background. “It’s not enough.”
“I don’t know what to say,” she whispers.
“Say you’ll use them and be happy,” he says.
“Thank you. It means…” She blinks and licks her lips. “It means everything.”
“Good.” He pauses. “Paint me something.” He hangs up, and Haven holds the phone out in a daze.
“Did they come?” Lawson walks into the room and looks at Haven. “Looks like.”
“You told him I like to paint.”
“The best way for me to calm down is to talk to Bane. I was circling the block and called him.” He walks to the island, peering into all the bags Rylee is trying to empty. “I mentioned it. He said he’d take care of it. I knew he would.” Rylee slaps his hand when he tries to steal a bag of chips.
He’s right; Bane doesn’t fuck around. I planned to speak to them tonight and find a place to buy her paints and canvas. I can’t be mad that he thought about it and acted in an instant.
“Girl, the boys aren’t fucking around,” Rylee snorts, glaring at Law as he pops a piece of cheese in his mouth. “I didn’t have them set up the easel. I figured you’d want to decide where you wanted it.”
“I—” She shakes her head.
“Why don’t you go and check it out?” I suggest. She seems unused to receiving any kindness or gift. I want to give her a minute to gather herself.
“Yes. I’ll do that.” She walks out of the kitchen, but stops. She backtracks to Lawson, kisses him on the cheek, and flees.
“You guys are laying it on thick.” Rylee rolls her eyes. “But I can’t be mad about it. Her father has plenty of money, yet never gave her anything she wanted.” She holds out the bag of chips Lawson was aiming for. “Thank you for caring about her.” He grins and takes the offering. “She needs you,” she whispers.
“We need her too,” I say softly, and she looks at me. I hold her gaze.
“I know.” She nods. “You guys can stay permanently if I get Remy as chef.”
“If you give him control, he’ll never let you in the kitchen again,” I say.
“And this is a bad thing?” She smirks.
“We don’t plan on staying forever.” I lean beside Law.
“I know,” she sighs. “You’ll move her into your place.” She turns to the fridge, but I catch the sadness in her scent.
“You won’t lose her,” I say softly.
“Yeah.” She moves back to the counter. “I'm trying not to be a selfish bitch.”
“You aren’t a bitch,” Lawson says.
“Or selfish,” I add, folding my arms on the counter. “Haven can see you whenever she wants. You're always welcome in our home. I understand she's your family.”
“Heath is family,” she says, leaning against the cupboards. “I love him, and he’s done so much for me. Haven is different. She can understand me on another level.”
“She’s your sister,” Lawson says, and Rylee freezes.
“I guess she is,” she whispers. “I always wanted one.”
“Isn’t it poetic that Heath brought you to the family here, and you brought Haven to them?” I ask, tilting my head. “It’s fate. She is our mate and will be a new addition to what they have built here. She will always be a part of your life, and the family will protect her. Just as Heath has done with you.”
