Because finally?—
I believed him.
chapter 20
GRAHAMMY’S IN DANGER
Graham
When you loved someone,you’d do anything to keep them safe. Even if it meant keeping them safe from themselves. Even if that meant kicking out their entire family that flew thousands of miles so she could breathe again. Which was exactly what I was about to do.
Katie had turned on some music and swept up Derek in some sort of slow tango across the great room. Charles danced with Noel in the classic daddy-daughter form—her head on his shoulder, him holding her tight wishing she’d never grow up—the kind of thing I was jealous of.
Surprisingly, Annie, Jeremiah, Ophelia, and Gemma chatted on the sectional, sipping wine, telling stories, laughing. While Hunter and Jeremiah’s wife sampled the different sakes by the fire. What was once tension and resentment, fueled by unresolved grievances, had become decency.
Maggie wasn’t alone in carrying an uncomfortable history. But the fact that it couldn’t be put aside when she was in the room disgusted me.
“Hey everyone.” I cleared my throat. “Maggie’s not feeling well right now, so we are going to call it a night.”
“Pretty bold of you to assume the role of head of the house when he’s sitting right over there.” Ophelia gestured to Hunter.
I rolled my eyes.
“This isn’t about that, Ophelia.”
“Then what is it about, officer?”
“You really want to know?”
“I do.”
“Well, first off?—”
Katie parted from Derek and grabbed my arms, sweeping me into the tango. “Don’t. I just got them calmed down.”
“Oh, so that was your doing?” I whispered.
She nodded, leading me down the hall to the foyer.
Maggie had composed herself and came down the stairs just as a knock on the door shifted the energy in the room. She floated past me and opened it.
“Whoa—that’s so freaky!” Katie blurted.
Maggie stepped to the side and let in the woman who had to be her sister, Mary—she looked exactly like her except for short hair, still wavy like Maggie’s but lighter in color. She was decked out in a busty short-length black camo dress and a corset-style belt.
“Jesus Christ, there’s two of them,” I said under my breath, a slight twinge noticeable in my dick.
Katie giggled. “Uh-oh, Grahammy’s in danger.”
“Can it.”
“Mary!” Maggie pulled her into a hug and hung off her.
“Christ, you reek of alcohol and weed.”
“I know, and the fam’s here. Perfect time to claim my throne as the catastrophe queen.”
Mary laughed. “Bitch, I’ll get your crown.”
