Page 16 of Broken

“Well, that worked out,” Jet mused at my side.

Definitely.

It took a few minutes before the door swung open, and my cousins filed out. Micah shut the door behind them while Ryder’s face immediately split into a shit-eating devilish grin. “Didn’t take long for her to spill, did it?”

He turned back with a grin at his brother while I walked up, my arm pulling back. “No, it was her fucking ex that spilled.” I slammed my fist into his face as he turned back around, and he fell, instantly going limp in one knockout punch.

“Shit,” Jet murmured.

Micah’s eyes shot wide, but he quickly put up his guard while I flew forward, grabbing his shirt to slam him back against the door. “Either of you touch or threaten or scare her like that again, in any way, you’ll regret it. I was just pissed when I said it last time, but I willmakeher go to the police or do it myself. Do y’all get it? She’s mine, and if y’all don’t want to completely fuck up our family, worse than you already have, you’ll lay off.”

My anger too fucking prevalent in my eyes, my entire body thrumming with it, Micah nodded, not saying a word.

I released his shirt and stepped over Ryder, who was now drooling, blood swirling with his saliva as it trailed onto theporch steps. Fuck, my knuckles were going to hurt when the adrenaline wore off.

“Let’s go.” Jet followed right by my side as we headed back to my truck.

It was nearly midnight when we pulled up to my house, and Jet pointed through the windshield to where the twins were waiting on their front porch swing, the porch light bathing the night around them.

I took a deep breath, the two of us hopping out to head over. As soon as we reached the edge of the light, they came running up to us, leaping into our arms. And I had to admit, it felt damn good. Like the four of us together were fucking meant to be.

Izzy wrapped her arms around my neck while I scooped her up, and I tucked my nose into her neck, drinking her in, this woman that I was in love with. That loved me. I was still wrapping my head around that. ThatIwas in love. That I got to have her.

“How did it go?” she asked.

Instead of answering, I carried her up the porch steps and flipped her around, pulling her into my lap as I sat on the swing. Annie and Jet followed, nestling together on their end.

Annie grabbed Jet’s hand, inspecting his knuckles. “You’re fine?”

“Never better.” He grinned. “Tucker knocked Ryder out in one punch.”

The girls’ shocked faces turned to mine.

“Don’t look so surprised.” I feigned hurt, and Izzy rolled her eyes, grabbing my hand next to inspect. She ran her thumb gently over my fingers where they’d started to swell.

“Are you okay?”

I shrugged. “I’ll be fine. I warned them off. Micah knows not to let Ryder get out of control again, or we’ll be going to the police.” Izzy stiffened. “What?”

“I don’t want that.” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, and Annie rolled her eyes.

“Here she goes again. She doesn’t want to tell anyone. Not even the parents. Someone make her see reason, please.”

“Iamseeing reason. Tucker, they’re yourfamily.” She looked up at me. “Whether you’re furious with them or not, I refuse to be the reason to cause a rift with your family. Your Uncle Drew is your dad’s only brother. How messed up would that be to cause friction just because Ryder is being a dick?”

“I think it makes a damn lot of sense,” Annie cut in.

“And I don’t,” Izzy snapped back, fire crackling between the sisters’ glares.

I grabbed Izzy’s chin between my thumb and index finger, bringing those emerald eyes back to mine. “And I say they’re not worth having as family if they hurt someone I love.”

Izzy’s eyes shimmered as she blinked back unshed tears. “Please.” She looked around at the four of us. “Not this time. Not with everything Mom is going through. I told youthatearlier, Annie. She’s got so much on her plate.” She looked back at me, imploring. “You dealt with them. Let’s give it the benefit of the doubt that they got it, and if they do it again, Iswearwe’ll talk. And I swear I won’t ever hide anything they do from any of you again.”

“You promise?”

“I do.”

Against my better judgment, I nodded.

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