Page 55 of Under Pressure

Kate snorted under her breath, and Blue sucked her lips in to keep from smiling. It was enough to make Sean grin.

“Grandpa,” Axel said with a dramatic hand to his heart. “That hurts.”

“The truth usually does.” Gramps hauled Mom’s gifts to the coffee table. “He served his country, he’s a responsible, contributing member of this community, and owns his own business.”

“I’m my ownbrand,” Axel said.

This time Johnny snorted. “You think that’s going to get Grandpa’s approval?”

“What you do is admirable,” Grandpa said. “I’ve seen it close up, but it’s attention seeking. I wonder if you and Johnny got enough attention as kids.” He scratched his chin, which had a little white stubble on it. First time he’d seen stubble on Gramps’ chin ever.

Kate was silently laughing so hard now, Sean could feel her sides shaking beside him.

“They’re fine, Dad,” Dad said.

Johnny stared past Axel and Kate to Sean. “Why don’t you tell Grandpa what it is you’re looking for right now.”

That’s it, after this was over, Sean wasn’t going to take his anger out on the punching bag, he was taking it out on Johnny. Johnny had an unfortunate habit of sticking his nose in where it didn’t belong and snooping until he got answers. It’s what made him such a good journalist—and a crap brother. He got in. Got his answers. Then blew them up for the world.

Johnny knew all about Ryker. And he knew all about theRey del Marand the treasure on it. Sean still wasn’t totally sure how he’d gotten all that information. But Grandpa wouldn’t be happy if he thought Sean was treasure hunting—and he couldn’t tell him what he was really doing or face a court martial.

“Was it some kind of famous ship?” Johnny asked innocently, reclining back on the couch as best he could despite being tight quarters.

“Yeah, Sean, what was it you were looking for again?” Axel asked. He knew too. Johnny’d told him.

Sean glared at his brothers who looked ridiculously smug considering their shoulders were crammed together, their arms squished in their laps.

“TheRey del Mar, right?” Blue asked, taking a sip of water. “Is that it?”

Sean’s spine went ramrod straight.

Jonah laughed. “Please tell me it’s a pirate ship with treasure on it?”

Blue laughed as well. “Sean, a treasure hunter? I don’t think so.”

Johnny smiled. “Well, it’s been ten years since you’ve seen him. Maybe he’s changed.” That sobered Blue up right away. It also made Sean reconsider just how hard and long he was going to pummel his big brother.

“No, he’s right,” Gramps said. “Definitely not a treasure hunter.”

“Just an underwater salvager,” Sean agreed. “Recovering a yacht for a client right now. I did find an old bottle of wine that was apparently worth a few hundred dollars on that one, though.”

“See,” Gramps signaled to him. “No fame and glory-seeking from Sean.”

“Silly me,” Johnny replied.

Jonah’s phone beeped a text, and he quickly pulled it from his pocket and read the message, laughing at it.

Johnny pointed at the phone. “Is that the new—”

“Yes, yes it is.” Jonah finished answering his text and smiled.

“I thought those phones weren’t out for another few months,” Dad said taking interest now too. Dad and Johnny loved technology. Whatever was newest and shiniest caught their eyes.

“How’d you get it?” Johnny asked, moving forward in his seat and squishing Axel who squished into Kate who squished into Sean with her sharp elbow.

Sean groaned.

“Sorry,” Kate said.

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