Page 132 of Midnight Curfew

Iron and I look over at our oldest brother, and I notice his scowl has a smile with it.

I narrow my eyes. “What?”

“I couldn’t keep either of you out of the bottles and pussy,” he goes on, “and now I can’t get you out of the house.”

Krisjen hugs him close, smiling over at us. “Oh, leave them alone.”

“They’re growing up,” Liv teases.

“You’re a hair, growing on my balls,” I retort.

My sister and Clay break into laughter, Macon shaking with amusement as he spins himself and his wife around in the water.

Iron tilts his head toward me. “Is he…smiling?” he asks me.

I mumble, “It’s creepy.”

I guess he deserves it. I guess if anyone does, it’s him. I would never admit this to Clay or Krisjen, but the house has been a much easier place to live in with them around. Almost enjoyable.

And the restorations to the house helped with that a lot. The place was always huge, but a lot of it wasn’t usable, and now we’re not tripping over one another all the time.

Even the exterior renovations seem to make me breathe easier. Unlike the Ameses’ pool, ours desperately needed a facelift. Army chose an aqua-blue tile, mostly because any dark reptilian creatures finding their way in would be easily visible, and the pool deck was re-covered and painted a canvas color, brightening everything up. We’re like one of those fancy hotels now. Steps lead into the water, and the trickling sound of a waterfall soothes all of us.

I’ll bet that greasy motherfucker who wants Callum’s ass has a whole luxury penthouse all to himself where he can screw the golden boy in his private rooftop pool without interruption.

I rake my hand through my hair. I don’t even know why I’m pissed. If Callum wasn’t a piece of shit, he’s still not my type. He probably has a fucking skin care routine.

I grab my beer and take a drink. God, I need to take a drive or something. Clear my head.

Fucking curfew.

“Uncle Macon!” some kid cries.

We all look up, Dex peering out of his bedroom window. “Paisleigh won’t keep the night-light on!”

“What the hell are you both still doing up?” Macon barks.

They don’t share a room, but they camp out in his makeshift tent sometimes.

Dex stands there, knowing better than to whine any further.

Macon gestures to one of us with his hand. “Would you give me a break, please?”

Not me. I don’t teach elementary school for a reason.

“I got it,” Iron says, rising from his lounge chair.

He walks off, back through the kitchen, and I set the beer down. I need something stronger if I’m going to wind down and sleep tonight.

Peering over my shoulder, I see the lights of the bar down the road. Liquor, music so loud I can’t think, and warm bodies. If I get laid, I’ll pass out nice and good.

It would certainly get my brain back on track. We’re taking the Ameses down. That’s all that matters. It’s either us or them, and it’s not going to be us.

His body isn’t that great.

I’m about ready to get up when my phone vibrates.

Grabbing my shirt off the bottom of my lounge chair, I find my cell.