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Daddy and Pressley laughed. “Your new CD releases in March so likely right after that. For now, you’ve all got a week off then we’re back in the studio finishing your next release,” Pressley informed us. I’m sure an email was coming shortly after they got home alerting us to all of this, but it was nice to have a heads up. “You have the week of Thanksgiving off too.”

A week of rest with Daddy? Yes, please and thank you.

“Hey,” Bowie pulled Daddy and me aside. “Mom says check the group chat before she kicks your ass.”

I laughed as I pulled my phone out. I slept most of the way home from Rocktoberfest so I’m sure I had a couple to respond to.

Mom: Are you and Wolf coming home with Bowie and Pressley for Thanksgiving, or driving separately?

Not can you but she expected us to be there. And the fact that she called the James family house home, meant a lot to me.

“Um, Daddy, here,” I handed him the phone and was surprised when he replied for us.

“Bowie, what’s your mom’s name?”

“Um, Lindsay?”

“You sound unsure,” Daddy chuckled.

“I just call her mom.”

“Smart ass,” but Daddy smiled when he said it.

Me (really it was Daddy): Lindsay, this is Wolf. We will be there and look forward to it. Please let us know what to bring.

Mom: Just your handsome self and our sons. Bowie has all the details. We look forward to meeting you.

Me (Daddy, again): Likewise. See you then.

Daddy handed my phone back. “All settled. We have a date with the James family for Thanksgiving.” Bowie and I hugged Daddy at the same time, nearly knocking him down.

“Road trip!” Bowie fist bumped the air. “We can show you around our favorite haunts.”

Then it hit me and I nearly fell over when my knees buckled. Thankfully, Daddy’s arms saved me. “Little Wren, what’s wrong?”

“What if, what if…” It was like my lips couldn’t form the words, but Daddy knew what I was thinking. Somehow, he always did.

“From what I understand, that issue handled itself and what are the words I’m looking for?” Daddy paused but Scythe answered for him.

“We have eyes and ears on the situation.”

“Yes, perfect. Thanks, Scythe,” Daddy said. “He gets anywhere near you and he goes to jail.”

“If he’s lucky,” Scythe actually chuckled. “Those watching him might lose him mid transit,” he shrugged. “I know nothing.”

Ah, gotcha. While I didn’t wish anything bad happened, I wanted him as far away from me as possible.

“See, Little Wren, the family has you.”

“Yes, family takes care of family,” Bowie said in the absolute worst Godfather impression I’d ever heard. He always knew how to make me laugh though. “What? No good?”

Pressley shook his head, still laughing. “Goddess above, I love you, Bowie, but please don’t give up your day job.”

“Wolf, can we have a word before you go?” Harley asked Daddy. I swear, my heartrate shot up hearing those words.

“I’ll be right back,” Daddy gave me a squeeze and walked off with our guards.

“What’s going on?” I asked Pressley.