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Regent took the last chair, looking at both of his brothers like he didn’t know how he was related to them.
Regent would find out one day what it meant to have a woman. And that careful balance between protecting them and allowing them freedom.
Hmm. But then, he’d probably just tip over that line and go straight for smothering them in protection.
The thing is, Maxim got where Regent was coming from. But in this instance, he also knew he couldn’t fully protect Aston.
“What is it?” he asked.
Regent sighed. “Are you certain you want to discuss this in front of your women? I’m not sure about this. It’s our job to protect our women and children.” Regent looked from her to Gracen. “You’re both family, which makes you both mine to protect.”
Aston snuggled into him and he knew it was because she liked hearing that.
His family was the best. They might have had a fucked-up beginning, but it had only made them stronger. Tighter.
Nobody fucked with the Malones. Family first.
28
These guys were nuts.
Completely bonkers.
But they were the kind of insane she wished she’d had in her life forever.
“Understand?” Regent pressed.
“I think I’m beginning to,” she whispered.
Gracen sent her an understanding smile. She was snuggled into Victor’s huge chest like there was nowhere else she’d rather be.
And Aston understood that feeling too.
“Right. I’m going to lay it out, then. Three more deaths were reported this weekend. All of them are linked to Mixology.”
“Fudge,” she muttered.
“And those are the ones that we know for sure have links to Mixology. My guess is that there are more deaths,” Regent added.
Shoot.
“It really doesn’t help that they keep giving samples of this shit away,” Victor grumbled.
“That means that more people will be accessing it,” Maxim said. “People out having a good time who wouldn’t buy drugs normally, but will take a free sample if offered. Fuck. This isn’t good.”
“People are starting to take notice. It’s already being reported on local media and the police chief is feeling pressure from the mayor. None of this is good for business,” Regent said.
Aston stiffened. “Is that the reason you care? Because it’s not good for business?”
Regent shot his cold gaze to hers and she stiffened. Uh-oh.
“Regent,” Maxim warned.
Oh no. She didn’t want to come between the brothers. They were all close and Maxim seemed to regard Regent as more of a dad than a brother since his own dad had been a terrible person.
Something they had in common.
She should have kept her mouth shut. Probably should have left the room like Regent suggested.
“No. Contrary to what my father tried to turn me into, I am not an unfeeling monster.”
Oh God. Now she felt terrible.
“I’m sorry,” she rushed out. “I never meant to imply that. It’s just . . . my father wouldn’t have cared except for how it affected business. And I know it’s unfair to liken you to him. I’m just . . . sorry. Do you . . . do you want me to leave now?”
“Leave?” Regent asked quietly.
“Your house.” She pressed her trembling hands together.
Everyone was staring at her. She could especially feel Maxim’s gaze on her.
“I want to know your father’s name,” Regent said bizarrely.
“S-sorry?” Why was he asking about her father?
“And your brothers. Where they live. Their details.”
“Why?” she asked.
“Because I’m going to need to have words with them.”
By words, she thought he might mean something else.
“You won’t be having words with them until I’m out of this bed and can come too. Because those words are my right to have with them,” Maxim said to his brother.
Okay, they definitely meant they were going to have something other than words.
Warmth filled her. Even though she didn’t want them going anywhere near her father or brothers . . . their words still gave her the warm fuzzies.
“I like having words. I’ll be coming along too,” Victor rumbled.
“Me too,” Gracen added.
“You definitely won’t be going, little one,” Victor told her.
Regent nodded and when she looked up, Maxim was doing the same.
Gracen pouted. “Well, get in a word or two from me, okay?”
“You got it, baby,” Victor agreed.
Yep. They definitely weren’t going to have words.
“Thanks for the sentiment,” she said, feeling shy. “But it’s all right. They’re no longer a part of my life and they don’t matter. I don’t need anyone to have words with them for me.”
She was still confused about how they’d moved from their previous conversation to talking about her family.
“They might not be here physically, but they’re here in other ways,” Regent said. “One thing you need to know though. No matter what you do or say, as long as you don’t betray my family, you’ll have a home here. And you will not be told to leave. I’ve reacted badly twice now when you asked me something. And that’s on me. I apologize and promise to do better.”
