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"I was surprised, pleasantlyof course, when my father called me to come home," Dylan began, speaking as smoothly as I remembered him. "However, there has been a lot of uproar in Chicago about the family business."
My attention was drawn to my uncle, who nodded in agreement with his son's words.
"So, before returning home, I asked around. The chatter had died down, but word had reached me that an attack was imminent and that the Mullens might have a mole in this house," Dylan said this before looking Tristan in the eyes for the first time that evening.
"What are you saying?" Tristan responded angrily, offended by the implication.
"I'm not sayinganything. You risked your life to protect Ethan. He'd be dead right now if you were the mole," Dylan stated with no malice on his face.
Dylan's words were calm, but I could tell he was trying to set Tristan off. I knew it was going to get heated, so I put an end to it.
"I know uncle called you back home, but it's been fifteen years," I said to Dylan, shifting the conversation away from suspicions.
"I know. I would have preferred to return home sooner, but work has kept me away. I haven't even had time to think about women," Dylan stated. His lies were cut short by the stares in the room.
"Okay, okay, I've hada few here and there, but nothing noteworthy. I'm thinking about staying in Chicago for a while—find myselfa good woman," Dylan cracked a joke. "I noticed you've got yourselfone."
When he mentioned Vanessa, my mood changed. I glared accusingly at my uncle. He leaned forward in his seat to address me.
"Ethan, we're family. Dylan has a right to know. All of your men are aware,"Luke told me.
"And they do not speak ofit," I said.
"But from what I saw, andI hope I'm not overstepping my boundaries when I say this, but you know how to pick them," Dylan added, a mischievous grin on his face.
It was easier to dismiss the remark when it came from Dylan. I was confident that my cousin would not form any strange ideasabout her. Everyone was supposed to follow my orders and not get on my nerves, especially in regards to her.
"I haven't been home long, but she's far more attractive than Cassandra," Dylan continued, and Tristan laughed.
Growing up with people meant that they knew far too much about you, including details best left buried in the past. Cassandra was my first crush.
Our time together lasted two weeks, but everyone at home laughed when they remembered how little I was back then, fighting to protect her. I looked down at my arm, remembering the pain that had spread across the length of my body, and I had no regrets about putting myself in danger, especiallyfor Vanessa.
And she'd done the same thing to protect me.
"You had a girl," my uncle interjected, picking on his son next. “What was her name again?"
"Gem! It wasGem.I remember as clearas day," I quickly responded.
And we all laughed, even Dylan, who was the punchline.
We were still laughing when one of the men gave Tristan a signal before turning to face me.
"Mr. Hellman is here."
"Well, if you'llexcuse me," I said as I struggled to get to my feet and head to my room for the exam.
"Sir, where do you want me?" Mr. Hellman inquired when he entered the room. He was a middle-aged man, though his scalp aged faster, and a good and discreet medical practitioner, as his father had been before him. They only catered to my family's needs, and with our line of business, they were frequently busy.
"Upstairs, my room," I stated.
Tristan and the doctor followed me up the stairs and into the dark corridor that led to my room.
"I'll be down here when you're finished," Dylan said from the bottom of the stairs.
"Don't drink all my booze before I come back," I joked as we walked.
I quietly looked at Tristan next to me. His brows were still furrowed, and he appeared concerned.
