Page 89 of Cursed Love
Brandy gasped, a look of surprise tossed in Ryan’s direction.
“I’m guessing you haven’t interacted with any of them since the time in the cabin?” Ryan asked Ethan, tracking Brandy as she moved among the group of large men.
“No, other than Junior, this is the first time I’ve seen them in weeks. With everything going on, I haven’t made it to family dinners either,” he replied, giving Ryan a knowing look.
Ryan nodded. “Junior was projecting so he was different, but I suggest you go greet them. See if you notice anything.”
Ethan joined the large group and touched some brothers on the arm and embraced others.
Brandy slipped free, and her arms encircled Ryan’s waist.“All of them?”
“Seems so. Question is what specifically.”
“I wonder why everyone but us just got felt up,” Andrea said to the woman who had slipped under Junior’s arm.
The woman laughed. “You noticed it too?”
“Junior’s wife, Debbie,”Brandy said.
“You realize talking about the baby is going to be easier than bursting their bubbles, right?”Ryan asked and chuckled.
“What aren’t you two telling us?” Edward asked, wagging a finger between them.
Ryan met Junior’s eyes and noted the bastard was enjoying himself.
Junior raised his hand. “I kept my end of the bargain. It’s your turn now,” he stated, looking at the three of them.
“What bargain?” Carter snapped.
Brandy sighed, leaning her weight into Ryan, and her wave of exhaustion hit him. Bending forward, he placed an arm behind her legs and scooped her into his arms. “Let’s sit. There’s a lot to talk about.”
Junior’s eyebrows snapped together with worry, and Ryan gave him a short nod, hoping to ease his mind. The others, on the other hand, muttered their displeasure over Ryan’s hold on her and that they had been kept in the dark about something.
Moving toward the couch behind the group, he paused by Junior. “She’s just tired.”
Everyone but Edward and Carter settled into a seat. The two of them opted to stand behind the couch like sentries. Brandy leaned her head against Ryan’s shoulder once they settled into a spot.
“Like I said, there’s a lot to talk about, so let us get it out first, and we’ll answer and prove anything.”
“Prove what?” Carter asked.
“Carter,” she warned, and he responded with a glare.
“Everyone knows Brandy went off the grid.” Ryan ignored their mutters and continued. “After her birthday, things changed, and she found herself in a bit of trouble, which only snowballed. Ethan reached out, and we knew he’d be of help, and eventually Junior got tired of the run-arounds. We asked him not to tell any of you so don’t get angry at him. We were just protecting you.”
“Bran, what the fuck is this assh—”
Sitting up in Ryan’s arms, Brandy flicked her wrist.
“Ouch!” Edward cried and grabbed his chest. “What the hell just happened?”
“Anyone else want to insult Ryan?” she asked, and when no one replied, she continued. “He’s not going anywhere, so stop. He’s not Greg or any other idiot I’ve brought around. I know this now. I’m too tired for this shit. We’re fucking witches, got it?”
Ryan swore a pin could drop to the ground and the neighbors would hear it. Looks of disbelief crossed everyone but Junior’s and Ethan’s faces.
“For goodness’ sake,” Brandy snapped before creating a ball of fire in her palm. She transformed it into a ball of water, and finally with a puff of air, she sprayed everyone with a mist.
Everyone but Junior and Ethan jumped up, some spooking and debating the exit.
