Page 78 of Fury
"Cole." Greyson's response is equally measured as they shake hands, both men gripping the other just a little too tightly, holding eye contact just a beat too long.
"Come in," Cole says, stepping aside. "Harlan's in the kitchen with my girl."
As we enter, I take in the space my brothers have claimed. It's masculine but comfortable, with leather furniture and family photos already scattered around. The smell of something delicious wafts from the kitchen, making my stomach growl.
"Your girl?" I ask, curious despite the tension.
Cole's face transforms, the harsh lines into something tender. "Yeah. Wait until you meet her, Livie. She's…" He trails off, shaking his head with a besotted smile.
We follow him into the kitchen where Harlan is standing beside a petite blonde woman as she stirs something on the stove. She's beautiful in an understated way, with kind eyes and an easy smile that falters slightly when she sees us.
"Greyson, Livie," Cole says, his voice warming considerably when he looks at the woman in his arms. "I'd like you to meet Avril. Avril, this is my sister Olivia and her… boyfriend, Greyson."
The slight pause before "boyfriend" doesn't go unnoticed, but Avril steps forward with genuine warmth, wiping her hands on a dish towel.
"It's so wonderful to finally meet you." She pulls me into a hug that smells like vanilla and home. "The boys talk about you constantly."
"All good things, I hope," I reply, already liking her.
When she turns to Greyson, I hold my breath, but her smile remains genuine. "And you must be the famous Greyson Reed. I've heard quite a lot about you too."
"Have you?" Greyson asks, his tone carefully polite as he shakes her hand.
"Oh yes," Avril continues, seemingly oblivious to the undercurrents of tension. "Cole mentioned you've been looking out for Olivia. That must mean a lot, having someone like that in her corner."
I catch the sharp look that passes between my brothers at Avril's innocent comment. Clearly, they haven't shared their full feelings about Greyson with her.
"Dinner's almost ready," Avril announces, turning back to the stove. "Why don't you all sit down? I made pot roast. Cole said it was Olivia's favorite."
As we settle around the dining table, the atmosphere grows increasingly strained. Greyson sits beside me, one hand resting possessively on my thigh, while my brothers position themselves across from us like a united front.
"So," Cole begins once Avril has served the food, "Greyson. Tell us about yourself. Things we wouldn’t know about you.”
"What would you like to know?" Greyson replies evenly, cutting into his meat.
"How about we start with your intentions toward our sister?" Cole suggests, his tone deceptively casual.
Avril shoots him a warning look. "Cole?—"
"It's fine," Greyson interrupts, setting down his fork and meeting both men's stares head-on. "Your sister is the most important thing in my life. I plan to spend the rest of my days making sure she's happy, safe, and loved."
"And what makes you think you're the right man for that job?" Cole challenges.
"The fact that I'd die before I let anything happen to her," Greyson replies without hesitation. "The fact that she makes me want to be better than I am. The fact that she chose me, and I'll spend every day proving I'm worthy of that choice."
"What if those precautions aren't enough?" Harlan demands. "What if someone gets to her because of you?"
For the first time since we sat down, Greyson's composure cracks slightly, a flash of something dark and violent crossing his features.
"Then God help them," he says quietly, "because I'll burn this whole town to the ground to get her back."
The raw honesty in his voice sends a shiver down my spine. Avril's eyes widen, and even my brothers seem taken aback by his response.
"That's quite a promise," Cole says after a moment.
"It's not a promise," Greyson corrects. "It's a fact."
I have never been more turned on in my life, and right now all I want to do is bust out of here and sink to my knees in front of him. Take him into my mouth.
