Page 35 of Last One Standing (Saint Brothers #5)

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

KONA

Morning wasn’t weird. It was right…if that made any sense at all.

We woke, showered again, brushed our teeth—Angel giving me a spare toothbrush.

I did have to toss my clothes from yesterday on, but that was fine.

I wasn’t going to be doing a walk of shame because being with Angel wasn’t shameful.

I felt honored, honestly. He was out of my league, and yet he seemed to like me.

I was feeling good, something that was a foreign concept but nonetheless fabulous.

I did go back to my bedroom to get different clothes. As I stepped out of the walk-in closet, Pika was sitting on my bed with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“What did you do?”

“Me?” Pika splayed his fingers on his chest. “What did you do, or shall I say who ?” He waggled his brows.

I pointed a finger at him and moved to the drawer to get a pair of socks. “You’re fifteen.”

“Okay.” He cackled. “That’s a bad defense.”

“Hush, you.”

I sat on the ottoman and put on my socks. I eyed Pika, who was staring at me. Waiting for me to say something, I was sure.

“What?”

He sighed, came over to me, and promptly sat in the chair behind me, forcing me to rotate to see him.

“I’m happy for you, Kona. I really like Angel. All of them are great, but there’s something about him. You light up around him, and I haven’t seen that kind of shine coming from you since it was just you, me, and Mom.”

“I like Angel too.” I placed my hands on his knees and squeezed. “I don’t know what this is, but I’m just enjoying my moments, you know?”

He nodded. “I get it. A lot is going on, a lot unknown.”

“And you’re my priority, Pika. Always.”

He exhaled loudly. “Not always, Kona.”

“Bite your tongue, little brother. Until the day I die.”

He gently pushed my shoulder. “You’re being stupid.”

“ Le gasp! How could you injure my ego so?”

He giggled, a sound so much younger than he was. “I said my piece. You’re being weird; I’m going to eat breakfast.”

“I’ll go down with you.” I grabbed his hand, forcing him to hold mine all the way to the first floor.

He was laughing and trying to shake me off when we entered the kitchen. Our laughter was loud in the silence.

Everyone was in there getting food, but it seemed grief still hung heavy.

“Sorry,” Pika mumbled and shuffled over to the counter to get a plate.

“Don’t apologize for being happy.” JJ ruffled Pika’s head. “We’re all trying to find our joy again. It has to start somewhere.”

“I guess.” Pika shrugged, filled his plate, and moved into the dining room.

Lizzy was staring at me as I scooped eggs into my dish, not glaring, but there was a slight hint of animosity. I understood. She probably didn’t truly blame me, but I was linked to Brick, who’d killed her friend.

I joined Pika in the dining room, and we were soon joined by Angel, Noel, and Phoenix. Noel was nudging Phoenix and they were quietly arguing. I glanced at Angel.

“Don’t look at me. My family is strange, and I choose not to engage. If I do that, I need to listen to them.”

Pika snorted, and I laughed.

“Phoenix, just ask,” Noel said.

“Fine.” Phoenix cleared his throat. “Kona?”

“Yes?”

“I’m doing this charity talent show at the Bellini Ballroom in a month. Dancing. Anyway, I had a pianist, but they suddenly canceled on me, and that’s fine. I can use my playlist, but I wanted to do something more showy, and I was wondering if you’d help me?”

A smile bloomed on my face. “That is amazing, and I would love to.”

His eyes widened. “Really?”

“Told you,” Noel mumbled around a bite of toast.

“Can I ask what you were thinking of doing? I mean, I assume you were planning someone to play the piano and you dance. Thing is, a piano is more intimate, so if you want to entertain, you should go for more.”

“Like what?”

“Well, is there a theme?”

“No.” He popped a grape into his mouth. “We can do anything within the guidelines…no stripping, not like I’d do that.”

I peeked at Angel, and he shot me a wink. “After breakfast, if you’d like, we can sit and go over songs that might work well with your dancing style. And from there, we can give it some pizzazz.”

Noel’s phone vibrated on the table, and he glanced at it. “Car approaching the house. Looks like Carmichael.” He got up from the table. “You all finish, I’ll let him in.”

We all sat and ate, listening as Noel opened the door. His greeting was not totally welcoming, but there was some history there.

“I love when you show up without calling.”

“Noel, I’m not in the mood for your anything.”

I chuckled, and Angel shook his head.

“You don’t even know my everything. I’m unforgettable, legendary?—”

“Stop. Please. I will give you money if you’ll just stop.”

Carmichael and Noel went back and forth for a little bit longer until Angel got up with a grunt. I followed behind, as did Phoenix and Pika, into the living room.

“Oh, good.” Carmichael sighed in relief. “Kona, I was hoping to see you. Is anyone else here?”

“Yeah, kitchen. I’ll get them.” Angel left for a moment and called for them all to join us.

Once we were all gathered, including Lizzy and Hazel, Carmichael faced me. “I need to ask if you knew of Brick working with anyone outside of the Dead Kings.”

“You mean like other clubs or something?”

“No.” Carmichael blew out a heavy breath. “Have you heard the name Colette Barbier?”

I didn’t have to think about that. “Never. Who is she?”

“She’s someone the FBI, ATF, and others have been trying to nail for human, drug, and gun trafficking.”

“It makes sense he’d team up with her with what was in that factory,” Gabe said, and a collective groan filled the room. “Shit, I wasn’t supposed to say that.”

Carmichael stared unblinkingly at Gabe for a beat before turning back to me. “Anyway, maybe you’ve seen her.” He held up a photo of a beautiful blond, white woman, slender, in a Chanel suit, and heels for days.

“I’d remember seeing someone like that.”

“What’s this about?” Angel interrupted.

“The reason Brick hasn’t been arrested, why he seems untouchable, is because he is. He apparently cut a deal to help bring Colette Barbier down. This deal basically reads like he won the lottery. They won’t touch him no matter what, which is insane.”

“He killed Darby!” Lizzy yelled. “How can homicide be washed away for this other criminal?”

Four wrapped his arm around her. “Deals don’t allow others to commit heinous crimes, Carmichael.” He glared. “He may be untouchable to you, but not to us.”

“Does the club know this?” I asked. “That would needed to be called to vote, and I can’t see a bunch of outlaws working with the feds.”

“I don’t know what he’s told the club, but the deal is for Brick and no one else.”

“I don’t give a fuck what deal he made with the feds, ATF, the president. We aren’t going to sit by and let him take us out so you all can get your French bitch.” Shep’s face was red and murderous.

“Hold up,” Carmichael roared. “You all called me. I found this out and respectfully brought it to you. Don’t attack me, Shepard.”

“Everyone, calm down.” JJ stood between the men. “Damn. You’re gonna do the Kings’ job and kill each other. Have a seat, you testosterone junkies.”

“What I’m hearing is that the authorities won’t step in—not like we care.” Angel inched closer to Carmichael. “You won’t want to be part of how this ends, Carmichael, trust me. But clear our names of the shop shooting, and we’ll owe you one.”

“You think I want to be owed by the Saint brothers?”

Angel’s grin turned feral, and I felt my dick twitch.

“Fuck yes, you do.”