Page 198 of Nothing Special X: The Last Stand

God watched his little brother reach over and catch Curtis by his cheek and pull him in for a quick kiss before Curtis could launched himself out of the passenger seat like a firework.

Genesis looked happier than God had ever seen him.

He hugged his brother. “How you feeling?”

“Ready.” Gen smiled.

Fox and Bull stood on the porch, talking with Furi, Syn, Michaels, Ro, and Johnson. The sight of them put a real smile on God’s face this time, and he didn’t bother hiding it.

He hadn’t seen his brothers since they’d gotten back from the West Coast two days ago. He and Day had stayed behind with Cassidy, working through contracts, equity numbers, licensing structures, liability coverage, and enough paperwork to make God miss having a personal assistant.

But the partnership with West Protective Solutions was finalized at last.

Fox came off the porch first, grin wide. “Well look at this. Hollywood officials already kicked you motherfuckers out.”

Ruxs opened his arms. “Shut the fuck up and get your country ass down here.”

Green hugged him next, thumping his back hard enough to make Fox grunt.

Ro followed. “Look at these superstars.”

Day let Ro pull him into a hug.

Ro clasped God’s shoulder and pulled him in. “Superstar.”

God hugged him hard. “Go on with that shit. I’ll always bleed Atlanta-red.”

Bull walked over and gave him a strong handshake. “Good to see you, Godfrey.”

“You too.” God tilted his head toward Fox. “I see you’re still slumin’ it with this guy.”

Bull shoved his hat lower on his brow. “Hey, my pop always told me, you don't let the horse out to pasture when he ain't lame.”

Fox punched Bull in his chest before shoving him out the way so he could hug Day.

Michaels stepped in next, giving God a brotherly hug, then Day. “Good to see you boys back in one piece.”

“You can say that again,” Day said. “LA has the worst drivers anywhere in the world. And I’ve been to Manhattan.”

“Where’s Judge?” God asked.

“He’ll be here tomorrow. The job is jobbing. He and Duke got caught up with a case, so he can’t make the rehearsal dinner tonight.”

Syn moved slower than the others but with an ease God hadn’t seen in him for a while.

Furi stood close to him, his long hair braided back, face relaxed in a way that gave God relief.

Syn clasped God’s hand, then pulled him into him. “You good?”

God held his shoulder. “I’m good, Bro.”

Syn looked toward Day, then back to God. “Yeah. Me too.”

Furi hugged Day first, then God, smelling faintly of leather and expensive soap. “Glad you’re back.”

God patted his back. “Glad you two are upright.”

Furi’s mouth curved. “That makes two of us.”