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“What on earth did you think you were doing?” Phoe demanded.
“We all did it, Mama,” Drake’s six-year-old daughter, Payton, admitted, standing up. “Me, Shannon, Sadie, and Dante went first.”
That was his little princess. Honest to a fault. Meanwhile, seven-year-old Dante frowned in disgust. Dante was Drake’smini-me, from his looks down to his damn attitude. Phoe refused point blank to get involved in their father-son fights anymore. As much as Drake loved Dante, he knew the kid was going to grow up to be a little shithead. It was the curse of the Michaelson’s, and Drake dreaded the day the kid got his keys to his first car.
“Thank you for being honest,” Phoe said, “but that doesn’t change the fact. You’ve all been told how dangerous this is.”
“Oh boy,” Carmelle muttered, looking up at Shannon and Sadie. “Admit it.”
“I wanted to do it, the twins,” Shannon spoke, pointing to Timmy and Scout and Garrett and Jake, “said we weren’t allowed to. But we really wanted to try.”
“I see. And did I not tell you how dangerous it would be?” Carmelle demanded.
“Yes, Mom,” Shannon said, toeing the ground and looking down.
“Pick your punishment,” Carmelle said, and Drake’s head snapped towards her. That was an unusual stance.
“Mom!” Sadie wailed, and Drake grinned. His four-year-old niece had come out of her shell the last few weeks. And it appeared she was as much as a drama queen as Eddie, Davy, and the others.
“Pick your punishment.”
“Oh man,” Shannon whined, but when her mother didn’t give in, she glowered before speaking. “I guess we’ll have to miss movie night. And Aunt Phoe was getting hotdogs and everything!”
“Yes, and ice-cream. After dinner, you may go to our room and read a book. No movie night,” Carmelle said. “Now go and wash up.”
Drake hid a grin as the two girls trudged away, looking forlorn. Then he gazed at his brood.
“I like that idea. Pick a punishment, kids, and if you try to wriggle out and pick an easy one, I’ll make you do two!” Drake stated with a wicked grin.
???
“This is for you,” Drake said, cornering Carmelle as she headed upstairs.
His sister eyed him suspiciously. “What is it?”
“A gift for you and the girls,” Drake replied. He continued to hold out the envelope in his hand. Carmelle took it reluctantly and opened it. Her mouth dropped open as she looked at the brochure in her hands.
“What is this?” she asked, confused.
“I bought it for you and the girls. It’s not far from here, a five-minute drive, but it’s in a nice area and good schools. Although the girls will probably end up going to the school that the other Rage kids do.”
“You bought me a house?” Carmelle asked in disbelief.
“I’ve been a shit brother. Want to be better. I want you to stick around. Carmelle, I want our kids to know each other and not just be a name from an old memory.”
“You bought me the perfect house.”
“Ain’t good with feelings, Carmelle, never have been. But I want you here, and I want to see all three of you. If you don’t like the house or don’t want to stick in RC, sell it and invest the money in the girls. But I ain’t letting you walk away from this family,” Drake said with finality in his voice.
Carmelle stared at him. “We’ll see if actions match words, Drake,” she replied before disappearing up the stairs.
Slick
He walked into the garage to find Drake. He’d made a decision, and it was one that Drake wouldn’t like, but Slick needed. After admitting to himself that he was in love with both women, Slick had thought long and hard. In the end, Slick had decided he needed to take a break for a few months. Maybe that would help the two women he’d hurt heal. If he disappeared from RC, neither of them would be on edge looking for him.
Also, Slick admitted he needed time to lick his own wounds. He’d always been a man who despised cheaters—and those who had a wife and kept a mistress on the side. Now, he was no better than them, and that stung. Slick wasn’t impressed with his actions and could easily see how bad it looked. He had enough self-loathing to last a lifetime.
Slick headed for Drake, who was talking to Slate, when his phone rang. He looked confused as he saw the name on the screen but answered it.
