“What?”I ask.“Haven’t you ever seen a gorgeous woman on horseback with a Pussy on her back?”
Declan lays his hand on my shoulder.“Kevin, I’ve never been prouder of you than I am in this moment.”
“I didn’t think you were a fan of cats,” Cal says.
“No, but he’s always liked pussy,” Evander says.
“You didn’t mention that the squatter looks like a young Angelina Jolie,” Finn says accusingly.
“Not thatyounoticed,” Declan adds “Since you’re happily married to your own hottie and have no interest in Angelina Jolie or her pussy.”
“I noticed,” Dad says.“She’s one of my favorite actresses.Great legs.”
“Changing the subject!”Cal announces.
“To something better than Angelina Jolie’s legs?”Declan asks.
This is great.They’re so busy running their mouths that they’ve pretty much forgotten about me.I take a deep, healing breath and decide to relax.What’s the worst that could happen?
“Let me see if I got this straight,” Finn says, feigning confusion.“You foundthat womanwandering around on the mountain, is that correct?”
“Christmas came early for you, bro!”Declan says.“I was going to get you a new belt sander, but that’ll seem chintzy now that you found Venus on the Half Shell on Washoe Ridge.”
“No wonder you blew off Harper,” Evander says.
“Unrelated,” I snap.
Declan pretends to dramatically wipe away a tear.“They grow up so fast, know what I’m sayin’?You think the young-uns aren’t paying attention, and then before you know it, the student has surpassed the master.”
“Fuck off,” I say.
“Ah,” Evander says.“The deed story was bullshit, then, just a way to stall us and get more time with her.”
“So you could squirrel her away from prying eyes,” Finn says.
I notice Cal is fairly quiet.I guess he’s decided to let me handle this how I see fit and share only what I want.But my brothers have always been truthful with me.When they were having trouble with their soon-to-be wives, we talked it out.
I can’t shut them down now.They deserve more than that from me.
“I didn’t squirrel her away,” I tell them.“Everything I’ve told you is true.I did find her hiding up there.She does have a deed that was gifted to her, and she thought it was real.She had the best intentions.She went there because she thought she’d be safe and no one would bother her.As I already mentioned, she’s in trouble and afraid.”
“Any more specifics to share?”Finn asks.
“Yeah.She just told me that the Russian mob is trying to kill her.”
“Oh, isthatall?”Declan asks.
“And you just now learned this?”Evander crosses his arms over his chest.
“Just today, yes.It was the last straw.I told her she had to come down here and stay with me.”
“That’s mighty gentlemanly of you,” Finn says.
“What the hell’s going on here, Kevin?”Dad steps into the middle of our circle.
“Frankie’s is in trouble, Dad,” I say.“She wants to disappear.”
“How about you?”Evander asks.“You plan to disappear with her?”