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Rome sighs and hits a few more buttons. All the screens fade to black, and he pushes to stand. “Not a wren like a bird, but the Wren like a name or a persona. There’s finally a clue on their real identity.”
My brows dip low over my eyes. “Why does anyone care about who this person is?”
Rome’s brow arches as he looks at me. “There’s a group of people making a name for themselves in the underground, have been for years. This is the first time they’ve left a tangible clue, so until now, no one’s been able to source a single thing.”
Tommy’s head jerks back. “Not even you?”
Much to my surprise, Rome looks excited about the prospect of someone outsmarting him.
“Not even me—yet. But that’s half the fun. I haven’t had this good of a challenge in years. Not since I found Madison.”
Our sister’s name seems to flip on a lightbulb, and Rome walks around the table. “I’ll let you guys know when I find him though.”
“I thought you said you didn’t know who it was?”
“I don’t,” he calls from the hallway. “But people this good usually end up being part of some high level military shit.”
I look at Tommy who’s been pretty quiet. He’s got a goofy grin on his face, practically vibrating with excitement. “What am I missing?”
“I heard about this group of people. They’re making big waves all over, so we should watch our back.”
“What kind of waves?” I slide my hands into my pockets. The last thing we need is another enemy, but I’d rather have all the facts now than when I have a six-inch knife in my back.
He rocks back onto his heels. “Rome’ll know more, but I heard assassinations and high value theft turned around quick in the underground market.”
My mouth tips up into a smirk. “Maybe they’ll do us a favor and one of them will take Dad out.”
Tommy levels me with a look. “I told you I’ll take care of it when you’re ready to step up.”
I take a step and clap a hand on his shoulder and wait for his gaze to hit mine. “And I told you, I’d never give you that burden.” I lift a shoulder and infect all the nonchalance I have into my next statement. “Besides, I’m in no hurry to become the boss. As long as Dad doesn’t start another war, we’re living pretty good these days.”
“You mean you’re not ready to settle down with whatever pawn Dad decides to marry you off to. Oh, excuse me, did I say marry you off like we’re in some fucking Jane Austen movie? I meant secure a formidable union.” Tommy impersonates Dad’s baritone with the last few words, and it’s so accurate it’s alarming.
He challenges me with an arched brow when I don’t respond right away. What’s there to say, anyway? He’s not wrong.
“You know that’s how it’s been for generations, and it’s not uncommon in our way of life. It’s part of the reason there’s been peace for so long.”
“Tell that to the cartel. Or the MC.” Rome snorts.
“Those assholes knew better than to try to route their corridor through Nevada to Canada. The MCs up north weren’t too pleased either. On that issue, we agreed.”
Tommy nods. “Right. Mutual end goals, which is what you can do without marrying some castaway from a family just to keep the illusive peace.”
“Devil’s advocate here, but technically, breaking the tradition and subsequently, the union, is justifiable cause for war,” Rome says.
“What the fuck do I care about a paper marriage? We’ll both have lovers on the—”
“Jesus fucking Christ, Nico, did you just say lover?” Tommy spits the words out, elation brightening his face and stretching his grin wide.
My ears feel hot and my shoulders hitch toward my ears. “What else am I supposed to call them?”
“Literally anything, bro. Between the two of you, I’m starting to wonder if I missed a Hallmark movie marathon or something,” Rome says on a laugh.
“Fuck off, Rome.” Tommy and I say at the same time.
The three of us grin at one another, and I’m hit in the face with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for my brothers. I don’t know what I would do without them—or who I’d become.
Tommy clears his throat. “When are we going to talk about our sisters and why the fuck Dad hasn’t dragged them both back here kicking and screaming?”
