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Chapter 29

“Well, well, well. Big brother has himself a—”

“Hello, Torr.”

It was a strange twist of events, to arrive home and be greeted by visitors.

Lawrence and his younger brother had always borne the most familial resemblance, although Torr was slightly taller and always allowed his whiskers to grow just past five o’clock. Although perhaps they would resemble each other less if he punched Torr in the eye, something he was tempted to do for his brother’s obvious perusal of Toni. Torr had long ago stopped apologizing for his admiration of the fairer sex.

Even if she happened to be taken.

By his own brother.

Some things never changed.

“Torr,” he warned.

It was only when Laria smacked Torr on the arm that he recovered himself.

“This is Toni, my girlfriend.”

Upon hearing that word, Laria emitted an earsplitting squeal and rushed up to them, hugging them both at the same time. “I’m so excited for you,” she said, letting go. Turning to Toni, she added, “I knew once you got rid of that bugger—”

“Laria!” His mother would faint dead away if she could hear his siblings carrying on like this. “You’re as bad as Torr.”

Laria planted her hands firmly on her hips. “That is the most wicked thing you’ve ever said to me.”

Rolling his eyes, he guided Toni past his siblings and to the back of the house. Modernized, the kitchen was the only room in the Victorian home that didn’t make him feel as if he’d stepped back in time. White with black accents and stainless steel appliances including a massive oven hood, it boasted a wall of windows that looked out into the back, where a garden had once been. An island at its center naturally drew everyone toward it. Walking over to the oak buffet table, he pulled out a bottle of wine and four glasses.

“No whiskey?” Torr complained as Lawrence poured wine into the glasses.

“My brother,” he explained to Toni, “is pretty much the opposite of me.”

He pushed the glasses toward each of them.

“Obstinate and more than a bit self-centered—”

“More than a . . .” Laria scoffed. “It’s been too long since you’ve seen him. He is utterly and completely self-centered—”

“And standing right next to you both.” Torr took the glass, despite it not being filled with whiskey.

“It’s a Sonoma Pinot Noir,” Lawrence said, ignoring his brother’s injured look. He knew better than to believe the brute had taken any offense.

“And Toni’s favorite,” Laria said, her eyes nearly twinkling with delight.

No less so than his.

Lifting his glass for a toast, he said, “To Clan Karyn, here in my kitchen safe and sound, and to a future that’s never looked better.”

Clinking glasses, he watched as Toni peered at each of them in turn. The amber eyes peeking out from behind her wine glass were filled both with hope and a tinge of leeriness. No doubt for getting herself involved with him, and his family. Not a typical boyfriend, but then, she wasn’t a typical woman.

“So go on,” he said, tearing his gaze away. “Tell me why you’re here.”

Torr looked into his glass as if the wine would jump out and bite him.

“We lost him,” Laria said. “Or he lost us. Who knows. But the trail went cold just after we spoke. No sign of the Cheld, and he hasn’t uncloaked again, so . . .”

“Odd,” Torr said, putting down his glass, “for someone who went to such lengths to trap us to disappear like that—”