Page 137 of Five Brothers

“This isn’t your house,” I say, stepping up to the frame between the living room and foyer. “This was our parents’ home. And all that dirty money you used to build our family’s presence was money I helped you make.”

I’m valuable.

“I work, and I talk to our customers,” I continue, “because you can’t deal with people, and they sure as shit can’t deal with you. All of this is as much mine as it is yours.”

I gesture to the house, but I mean Sanoa-fucking-Bay, as well.

I pause for a moment, thinking. “But I also know I would’ve lost the Bay years ago without you,” I tell him. “I can’t do what you do. I don’t have the stomach.”

Tryst Six is a blessing to some and a target to others, but it’s always respected, and it wouldn’t exist without him.

But I do play a part.

I take another step, not blinking. “I’m going to have another kid. Maybe a few more, and maybe it’ll be with Krisjen, or another Saint, or maybe someone else, but I want a family in this house again, and you’re going to shut up about it.” I grind my teeth. “Because you know Dallas and Trace will follow me if I leave you, because they can’t deal with you, either.”

He stares at me, and I wait for something from him.

But he says nothing.

I shake my head, turning, and head out of the room.

I stop at the stairs and look at him once more. “You know …”

I force down the lump in my throat.

“I hate what we had to do to put food on the table back then.”

My breathing shakes a little. “But those are honestly my favorite memories because we were together. It was just you and me, barely adults ourselves, and Liv, Iron, Dallas, and Trace could be kids.They’ll never know what we went through and how close we came to getting killed or arrested so many times. And I never wanted them to, because it wasoursecret. Yours and mine.” I feel my eyes burn with the tears I won’t let fall. “Something you and I had, just between us. We were brothers, and you used to talk to me.”

The dark figure in the chair doesn’t move, and I’m no longer budging. I’m not leaving my house.

I walk up the stairs, Krisjen coming out of the bathroom and wrapping an arm around my waist from behind as she follows me into my bedroom.

15

Krisjen

Army Jaeger has a dark side.

Jesus.I bite back my smile.He’s good at faking docile, isn’t he?Maybe Macon should loosen the leash on him. Or maybe that’s why he doesn’t.

November wind blows into his room, billowing his curtains, and I feel Army’s body molded to my back. But I feel him everywhere else, too. The marks his teeth left. His grip.

I clench my legs, the skin raw deep inside.

He nestles into my neck, and I arch my ass into his groin as I reach back and caress his neck. Both of us moan.

Last night was aggressive. Just like on the couch. It had to be him or Iron. I should just ask, but I’m embarrassed that I don’t know, and I’m not sure how I’ll feel if I find out.

Macon wouldn’t have pushed me away in the garage if he’d already had me, and I don’t want it to be Dallas.

But guilt makes me go still as I stare at the curtains blowing.

Last night felt special. By the pool felt special, too.

But I still would’ve rather loved them. Iron, Army,andTrace.

I flip over, nestling into Army’s chest and looking up at his sleeping face.