Page 22 of Aaron

Cheri takes a deep breath and grips my hand. I doubt she even realizes she does it. Before she can answer, Adrian says angrily, “They’re at the gate.”

She nods in agreement. “They put a tracker on my phone. I don’t know why I never realized that before, not that it matters. But, um, they followed me here. They’re threatening to drive through it if someone doesn’t let them in.”

“Fuck.” Adrian pushes away from the island and runs his hand through his hair. “What is it with uninvited guests? What part of private property don’t you people understand?”

“Adrian,” I growl. I know this is a security breach, but I don’t like the way Cheri seems to shrink as he paces back and forth, muttering. “Go get them, and we’ll deal with it. I’ll text everyone; they’ll be here by the time you get back with them.”

On his way toward the front door, he replies, “Yeah, fine. But leave Andrew out of it.”

Oh, hell no—even I know that’s a bad idea. I guess my baby girl is going to get to see her friend tonight, after all. “Fat chance. You’re crazy if you think we can get away with that. He’s probably on his way here already after everyone got the alert. He’ll lose his mind if we let four men up here without him knowing.” Ignoring his muffled curses, I’m already messaging our group chat. It won’t be long before the cavalry is here.

“Damn it. Fine. You’re right. So much for giving him one night of peace to enjoy his new bride,” he grumbles, then slams the front door behind him.

“I’m so sorry,” Cheri whimpers. “I didn’t mean for this to happen. Jaclyn is my best friend—my sister from another mister. I needed to make sure she was okay. When she called me earlier, she was so upset. Said Andrew wanted to get married, and she didn’t know what to do. She seemed calmer when we hung up, but I couldn’t stop worrying about her. When she didn’t answer my texts, I had to come check on her—no one should have to get married against their will.”

The words tumble from her mouth in a rush, and her grip on my hand tightens. It takes me a beat to catch up—it’s the most she’s said since I met her at the gate. I understand, probably better than she knows. If we couldn’t reach any of our brothers, we’d go scorched earth to find them.

In a tone calmer than I feel, I reassure her as best I can. “It’ll be okay. You’re safe. We won’t let them hurt you.”

“What? I’m not worried about them hurting me. You don’t know them; they’ll shoot first and ask questions later.” Her voice breaks into a sob. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt because of me. How did this get so out of control? Why did you have to bring Jac here at all?” Her breaths come in short bursts, and her cheeks are flushed red.

As I lift her shaking body from the seat, I pull her onto my lap. My arms wrap around her, and I hold her against my chest. Nothing has ever felt so right as it does to have her in my embrace. I whisper against her forehead, “No one’s getting hurt.”

Cheri tenses against me as the back door slams open. The heavy thud of footsteps announces my brothers and their wives have arrived. My arms squeeze around her. No matter what she’s heard or believes, my brothers would never hurt her, even if she wasn’t mine.

Andrew is the first one into the kitchen, his arm around Jaclyn. “What the hell is going on?” he roars and stops at the edge of the island when he sees me and Cheri. The shock would have made me laugh at any other time.

“What the…?” he asks in a less growly voice, but stops when Jaclyn releases his hand with a squeal and runs straight for Cheri. My princess jumps out of my arms and grabs hold of Jaclyn.

“Cheri!”

“Jac! You’re okay? Are you okay?” Tears run down both their faces.

Andrew runs his hand through his shoulder-length hair while giving me a death stare. Yeah, yeah. I’m sure this isn’t how he pictured his wedding night. Not that I blame him even a little for being frustrated.

“Can someone explain what’s going on, please?” He’s calmer, more like the brother we’re all used to. The others have arrived and are circling the island, wondering why I called them all.

Everyone looks at me, as if I should have all the answers, but I’m starting the explanation when everyone is here. We should probably move to a larger room while we wait for the other four to arrive.

“Let’s go into the great room. There are more places to sit.” I stand and move toward Cheri. She’s still hugging Jaclyn as they whisper to each other. This has to go down as one of the strangest nights we’ve had since we’ve been back. It might even top the night when Rebekah and Hannah’s father tried to kill Adam and Rebekah. Or maybe not. Hopefully, it won’t end with the sheriff being called.

Before we can get settled, loud voices spill through the homestead as the front door slams open. My brothers sit in their usual seats, with their wives on their laps. I tug Cheri to my side as I lean against the wall next to the fireplace, as usual. When her brothers appear, I want to be standing.

“I want to be by Jac…” Cheri tugs on my hand.

Leaning down so I can speak into her ear, I keep my voice low for only her when I say, “It’s better if you’re with me, princess. I need to make sure you’re safe.”

“But…” Her voice cuts off as her brothers follow Adrian into the room with company.

Behind him are four grumpy assholes in bespoke suits—exactly what I’d expect of a mafia family—and they don’t disappoint. There’s no missing that they’re brothers. They’re all tall, muscular, with dark hair and eyes—like Cheri. What I didn’t expect is that they’d have their guns drawn, pointing at my family. How the fuck did they get them through security at the airport?

Andrew jumps to his feet, pushing Jaclyn behind him, a move the rest of us repeat as the Santini brothers spread out behind Adrian. My brother doesn’t look like they touched him. Smart move on their part. We’re more than prepared to defend ourselves. The only thing that makes us hold back is the women in the room.

“Put your damn guns away. Who the fuck do you think you are, coming onto our property, threatening my family?” Andrew demands. Each of us is over six feet tall. Asher is the tallest at six feet seven, and he acts every bit the bear his wife nicknamed him. He’s the only one who hasn’t shown up for the family meeting.

One of Cheri’s brothers turns his gun at Andrew, and Cheri sucks in a breath. He yells when Asher comes up behind him. Swallowing my smirk, I pull Cheri tighter against my side, ready to force her behind me, depending on what happens next. Her safety and that of the women is all my brothers care about.

It’s chaos. Everyone is screaming over each other. Cheri is shaking as she leans against me, and I’d wager a million dollars that each of the other women is as terrified. This needs to stop now.