AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Maybe you need a smaller truck.” I chuckled.
“Fuck that,” he retorted. He went around the side to open the door for her. It was barely open when Holly launched across the console, over Raven’s lap, and damn near tackled Declan. He caught her with ease as if it wasn’t new behavior.
I remained where I stood, taking the chance to study Declan with Raven. Admittedly, I always worried about Declan whenever it came to relationships. He was a good man—too damn good. He’d bend and bend and bend until he fucking broke for the people he cared about. Maggie hadn’t been bad for him per se, but she wasn’t great for him either. At least I’d grown up with Maggie.
I didn’t know Raven. I had Nolan’s extensive insight into everything about her, which read a lot like a character profile for one of his books. All of my brothers vouched for her, and even Roan liked her, but Roan had yet to meet a woman he didn’t like. I knew Mom loved her, which counted for a lot. Admittedly, I’d also ran a background check on her just in case. Invasive? Maybe. But I worried about him.
Wind-swept blonde hair was shoved under a pair of sunglasses—which adorably matched Declan’s—and sun-kissed freckles on her cheeks and nose brought out the whiskey tones in her eyes. Neon pink leggings clung to her long legs and a see-thru tank top did nothing to hide the matching sports bra. Shit, even her shoes were a pristine white. The ridiculously bright outfit oddly complemented the intricate flower tattoos moving across her chest and covering her arm.
A single look at her was all it took to know she was his complete opposite. The woman had wild chaos written all over her. However, the way she looked at my brother spoke volumes, which was all I needed. No matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t fake that level of emotion and connection. It was obvious as far as she was concerned that Declan had hung the goddamn sun, moon, and stars.
Fuck, I missed that. A sad ache bloomed in my chest, one I swallowed because I didn’t need to deal with those memories.
Strolling right past Declan, she stopped in front of me. Her hands framed her thin waist as she stared at me. There wasn’t an ounce of shame in her as her gaze swept down my body and back up. Her eyes narrowed as she scrutinized me. I crossed my arms, waiting it out with an amused grin.
“Killian Byrne,” Raven mused. “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. You’re like the Voldemort of Cedar Harbor, you know.”
All right. Harry Potter reference. I could take it. I was a fucking Slytherin after all—no one needed to know why I knew that shit. Also, I could only imagine what the hell the gossip in Cedar Harbor was like about me.
“Honey, filter,” Declan sighed. The look of exasperation on his face only made me smile wider. I had a feeling he’d heard this analogy before and tried to talk her out of it using it.
“Town villain, I’ll take it. I hear you, Raven Woods, are the town’s nudist,” I told her. Poor girl. What a fucking title to have. Granted, mine wasn’t much better.
“I am. We can start a club,” she said with a laugh.
“We’ll need club stickers.” Bypassing the hand she offered, I went in for a quick hug. I already liked her. She’d keep him on his toes. “It’s good to officially meet you. Declan’s only told me all the horrible things about you.”
“That figures.” She rolled her eyes. “He hates me. I torture him. It’s our whole thing.”
“Sounds like fun.” Over the top of her head, I caught sight of Declan’s stupid grin. I moved around her to help him grab the few bags they had—which was probably a few too many.
“Why are you in fucking sandals?” I demanded, watching him kick gravel out of one.
“It was just for the drive,” Declan said. “I’ll end up half-naked—”
“Yes, please!” Raven cut him off, and I snorted.
“—and barefoot, so it’s not like it matters,” he finished as if he hadn’t heard her. Bags in hand, he followed me inside with Raven and Holly right behind him. “I called ahead and got Cole to set aside a room in the family wing for us.”
I chuckled. Of course, he did. That was a very Declan thing to do.
“Is it on the first floor or the second?” Raven asked quietly. I caught the way she eyed the staircase. If half the shit Nolan had told me was true—which it probably was—I didn’t blame her.
“First floor,” Declan replied. “There’s a patio door, but it’s facing the side of the house, so we don’t have to worry about all the backyard shit. It’ll be easy for Holly to get in and out of.”
We made it about as far as the dining area before Roan’s loud ass found us.
“Sweetheart!” Roan shouted, throwing his arms out as he caught sight of Raven. “You’re so pink! I’m coming in for a hug!”
He half danced, half shuffled his way to her and put a beer in her hand before wrapping her up in a big hug.
“Lumberjack takedown!” Axel yelled, but the sound was lost as he launched himself on Declan’s back.
Down went Declan.
Down went Axel.
Roan almost went down, only to be barely held up by Raven.
