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I take a deep breath before turning to the youngest Cromwell brother. Kaleb lounges against the porch railing, but his casual slouch doesn’t fool me. I know who he is. I have to remind myself that he has his own woman, and his interest in mine is purely a matter of friendship and brotherly love.

Still, irrational or not, the sight of the blond irks me.

“Good. She’s resting.” I glance at my wristwatch. “I need to get back before she wakes up.”

“Is there a reason we weren’t invited to the party?” Kaleb asks, straightening. Daniel steps out of the front door, and the wood beneath him groans. Shit, he’s huge.

I smirk at Kaleb holding up a finger.

Retreating to the car, I open the trunk again. Reaching in, I grab Cooper by the front of his once blue shirt. Now blood-stained and covered in dirt, it looks like he’s been exactly where he was . . . held hostage and tortured for a week.

Cooper stumbles, barely getting his feet beneath him before I’m dragging him toward the house.

The brothers’ reaction is instant.

Slapping the wood railing, Kaleb laughs.

Daniel crosses his arms and leans against the front door.

Frowning, Michael joins his brothers on the porch.

Seeing who we’re approaching, Cooper digs his feet in and struggles to break free. His eyes scan the yard in pure panic.

My fingers dig into his arms as I tug him up the porch stairs.

“Well, well, well. Would you look at that?” Kaleb grins.

Shoving Cooper in front of me, I kick the back of his right knee, forcing him to his knees. The man grunts as he lands heavily. I snatch the back of his top to stop him from face-planting into the wood since the hands bound behind him are useless to break his fall.

Michael Cromwell steps forward first, assessing Cooper’s injured form. “Is he dying?”

“Not yet,” I state with a raised brow.

“And what was the point of this?”

“I told your brother that what happened to Shelby was your fault. The three of you should have taken care of him before.”

I wait for him to raise his gaze from the man bleeding on his parents’ property.

“Shelby is considered your family. She’s also my family. Consider this a peace offering. I don’t see why we can’t co-exist within Cromwell. I’d hate to have to take Shelby away from the only home she’s ever known.”

Michael purses his lips. Taking a few steps back, he sits in the wicker chair.

“Sam can’t lose another best friend,” Kaleb tells his brothers.

Michael sighs. “It’s no wonder we couldn’t find him.” He gestures to Cooper. “You had him this whole time?”

I give a casual shrug and tilt my head.

A cell phone chimes. Reaching into his back pocket, Kaleb pulls out his cell. “Jesus.” He rolls his eyes.

Daniel grunts, looking at the younger Cromwell.

“Mom sent a picture of Sam. Looks like she’s eaten her weight in chocolate. Like that woman needs more sugar.”

Daniel smiles, his wide shoulders relaxing.

Michael chuckles from his seat.