Page 52 of Relentless Hearts
Colt coughed as if covering a laugh. “We have an arrangement with the owners. We give them a lot of money for cleanup if things get out of hand.”
A rough laugh burst from Decker. “This happens a lot?”
Grins split across every face at the table. “You have no idea how many times we have to put someone in their place, especially when Willow’s involved,” Oaks said.
They shared stories then, each brother contributing tales of bar fights and protective interventions that painted a picture of a family that looked out for their own.
Denver told him about the time three guys had cornered Willow at a county fair, and how all six brothers had materialized out of nowhere like guardian angels with serious attitude problems.
Colt described the infamous incident where someone had grabbed Willow’s ass at a wedding reception, resulting in what the local paper had diplomatically called “a minor scuffle.”
“Minor scuffle.” Theo snorted. “Guy ended up in the hospital.”
“He was fine,” Carson said mildly. “Eventually.”
The easy banter, the way they included him in their stories as if he’d always been part of this brotherhood—it hit Decker harder than he’d expected. He’d spent so many years as a lone wolf, going Dutch on every decision, every failure. But sitting here, listening to these men talk about protecting what mattered most, he felt something he hadn’t experienced since his SEAL team—belonging.
Carson capped the marker and set it aside. “Tonight we celebrate Denver’s last night of freedom, keep our eyes open forany oddballs who might know our sister and try not to destroy the bar.”
“Trybeing the operative word,” Gray added with a grin.
“And Decker?” Carson’s voice carried a note of warmth that made something tight in Decker’s chest finally relax. “Welcome to the family. Both professionally and personally.”
The weight of acceptance, of finally having a place where he belonged, settled over Decker like the best kind of armor. For the first time in years, the future didn’t feel like something to survive but to build.
Something worth protecting.
As the meeting broke up and the brothers filed out, chatting about bachelor party plans, a sudden realization hit him like a freight train.
They all knew he’d slept with their sister.
Of course they knew she wasn’t in the house last night. Nothing escaped the Malones’ radar.
But nobody was sharpening knives or loading shotguns or giving him the kind of look that suggested he might not survive the night.
He smiled to himself. Maybe this family thing was going to work out after all.
Chapter Ten
Willow fluffed the last pillow and stood back to survey the living room, mentally ticking off her checklist.
Soft blankets in the jewel tones of Rhae and Denver’s wedding were draped over every surface, creating perfect, cozy places to curl up. She’d pushed the heavy coffee table against the wall and scattered fat floor pillows across the Persian rug, transforming the space into what she’d call “girls’ night chic.”
A fire crackled in the hearth to create a warm atmosphere for their marathon of romantic movies. When Rhae told Willow she’d prefer a night in for her bachelorette party, Willow was secretly thrilled—she’d had enough bar-hopping for one month. Besides, she wasso goodat creating cozy atmospheres.
She’d strung some of the twinkle lights from Layne’s baby shower over the mantel and window frames, adding a dreamy ambiance that would photograph perfectly for Rhae’s wedding scrapbook.
“Stop fussing.”
Willow dropped one of the pillows she was fluffing to see Honor crossing the room with a tray of wine glasses.
“Everything looks perfect.”
“Almost perfect.” She adjusted a cashmere throw over the back of the sofa for the third time. After all Rhae had been through, she deserved a night that was absolutely flawless.
She turned to Honor. “Oh! We need a sippy cup with apple juice for Navy to toast too. And sparkling cider for Layne.” She started toward the kitchen, when happy voices carried from the front of the house.
Honor hurried out behind Willow. “That’s my sister and the other ladies.”
