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forty-three

MAXIMILLIAN

The kid honestly reminds me of myself in more ways than I’d like. Except in the most important one…

“You’re dropping your shoulder too much, which is arching the shot. Try tightening your bottom grip to compensate.”

Ryan winces briefly, as if he’s in pain, then nods and readjusts, taking a steady breath before firing again. Bullseye.

“Finally!” he yells.

I give him a pat on the back as Adal rolls his eyes. Ryan smiles brightly and says, “Thanks, Dad. Well…should I call you that?”

Adal stiffens and walks toward the barn. I have no idea what his issue is. The two of them were getting along. I think it has something to do with fraternity or MC rivalries, but Xavier was right. Once they graduate and work for the same company, things will smooth out between them.

I know Nico had a run-in with another MC club, but Adal says they were from Lecherton. My son knows to come to me with any family issues. Hopefully, he’s keeping his nose clean.

“Absolutely. I always wanted a third son.”

“No,” my wife says quickly.

I hold out my hands. “I’m not saying now , just in the past.”

“And I’m saying no before you get started on the subject. It’s closed, lion. Twins was enough for me.”

Shrugging, I take a shot at the target set up among the trees. Nail it right in the dome. I tuck my Glock in my holster and smile.

Despite a few bumps in the road over the last few years, things are good. Ryan is a perfect match for my little spitfire. If I can handle Livia, I think he can handle Penelope.

He’s focused. Relentless. And doesn’t stop until he gets what he wants.

I like that.

So much so, I knew once he joined The Bear Cage, and I saw the flame behind his eyes, the sheer will to be the best, that he was the one for her. When he came to me and asked for her appointment, I didn’t hesitate. Especially knowing he’d have to kill in order to earn it.

A blood sacrifice is a fine way to win a woman.

“Pup, you didn’t show your man how to aim better?”

My daughter shakes her head. “We hadn’t had the chance to do this together yet.”

The two clear their chambers and holster their weapons. “I like your family Sundays better than mine,” Ryan says, checking out our target shots.

“It’s about to get better with Mrs. Kroft’s cooking. She’ll have bacon ready for us,” I tell him, my mouth already watering at the thought of it.

We head toward the manor as a unit, the chill in the air catching up to us.

On the stroll, I grab Livia’s hand and pull her into my side, then throw my arm over her shoulders. As we near the front door, a high-pitched buzz cuts over the bubbling fountain as some stones are tossed around on the driveway.

Nico Griffin rides up on a tiny, motorized bike. Like a child’s toy. With his half helmet and goggles, he looks like a clown, even with the patched leather vest and taped knuckles. His shoulder wound is still taped up, but he’s no longer in a sling.

Adal grimaces as he approaches his friend, and Nico stands up, the two men eyeing Ryan carefully, who smiles brightly.

“New ride?” I ask, attempting to contain my laughter. Clearly, the kids are not pleased.

“Yeah. It was apparently a gift .” Nico peels off his helmet and glasses, setting them on the back. His jaw clenches as he says, “Left after someone ran over my motorcycle.”

“Shit. Hope you made them pay,” I say.

Pup buries her face in Ryan’s chest. Her back shakes, as if she’s chuckling and hiding it.

“That’s the thing. It happened while I was inside at work, and the camera only caught some nondescript black SUV doing it in the parking lot. Twelve times.”

“Damn.”

At the same time, Ryan smirks and says, “This one looks like it fits you better.”

Nico’s shoulders tighten, but Livia grabs Ryan’s hand and leads him toward the manor. “Let’s get you inside. Adal? You staying or going?”

My son crosses his arms and stares down my daughter’s boyfriend. “Going.”

“Yes, we have plenty of time to discuss the operations of Nine Lives later. See ya, Adal,” Ryan throws over his shoulder as we walk inside.

Oz dashes down the stairs as we round them for the dining room as a group. “Done with my tournament. First place.”

“Congrats, Ozzie.” Livia grabs his waist and gives him a kiss on the cheek. “For your game?”

“Yeah, Mom. What I’ve been talking about for three weeks straight.”

I clap my hands together and rub them at the smell of the bacon, taking a seat at the head of the table. As soon as I grab a stack and dig in, I can settle enough to ask, “So, why are Adal and Ryan at odds?”

Oz and Ryan look at each other.

“Stupid Delta and Theta alumni stuff, Dad. I hate to say it, but you wouldn’t understand.” Oz waves it off, grabbing a helping of steak.

Ryan nods. “I think things will be fine once I graduate. At least, I’m hoping he’ll be okay working under me and making the new company successful. For both Cardell Enterprises and the Freidenberg Foundation.”

“I’ll make sure he does,” I say easily.

Not only have we had enough war in this city that I now strive for peace, but Adal’s had it rough the last two years after his appointed was murdered. I think spending less time with the Marauders and taking on a more structured role may be good for him. And he wants to do what’s right.

“What about you, Oz? Any word on your appointed yet? I know it’s early…”

Oz chokes on a bite of his food and dabs at the corners of his mouth. He glances at Ryan, then darts his eyes away. “Um, no. Not yet.”

“Dad, come on,” Pippi says, laying her hand on mine. Just like her mother always does.

“What? I’m just asking. Maybe he’ll get another brother. I’m Maximillian Freidenberg. I can ask them to pair you up with someone you’d like.”

I understand he’s worried he won’t get matched with a man he wants or one at all. But that was a risk he was willing to take when he signed up. Livia warned him repeatedly, but he begged to pledge, saying he’d take anyone they’d appoint to him.

Ryan gives me a solid nod in agreement. He gets it.

Once dinner is done and the kids head upstairs, I scramble to grab my wife for a nightcap. “Here. Bourbon?” I hand her a double.

“Yep, thanks.” She takes a sip, then settles next to me on the leather sofa, leaning her head on my shoulder.

“What do you think it is between Nico, Adal, and Ryan?”

“Probably more male pissing contests. I’m staying out of it. That’s the best thing to do, I think.”

“Should we ask your brother to look into it?”

“No. He’s having enough of a time dealing with his brood.”

I press my lips to her temple and lower my voice to a deep bass. “Speaking of… How about we make one more?”

“No. Lion. No!”

I smirk at her outrage. She leans forward, sets her glass down, and turns on the couch to grab my face. Her lips are soft as she greets me with them and whispers, “But we can practice.”

I pull her up and onto my lap. We’re alone… “Get over here, foxy.”

With a giggle, she climbs on for the ride.

Footsteps outside my bedroom door creak against the ancient hardwood, and I sit up in bed, tugging the covers to my chest with a smile. Ryan’s going to get in trouble if he keeps sneaking into my room. Except a soft knock comes through, announcing someone’s arrival.

And when the door opens, it’s not my Viscount at all. But Adal.

“Can I come in?”

I blink, startled. “Yeah.” Scooting over, I pat the purple velvet comforter beside me.

He closes the door gently behind him and sits on the edge of the bed—stiff posture, eyes flicking to anything but me.

“Look,” he says finally, “I know I crossed a line with Ryan. A big one.”

I stay quiet. My brother’s not one to talk about his feelings or to make apologies.

“I was pissed that someone would hurt you. You’re just… off limits .” Releasing a heavy breath, he rubs a hand across the back of his neck. “And I guess I thought hurting him would prove something. Protect you somehow. Or punish him. I don’t know.”

“It didn’t protect me,” I say softly. “And he’s still got scars from what you did. His fingers are still healing.”

“I know. And I’m sorry. For torturing him. For not trusting you and your decisions.” His eyes finally meet mine. “You grew up, Pip. And it happened faster than I realized.” He goes quiet, then reaches for my hand under my sheets. “I’d never hurt you.”

I nod. “I know. But wounding him…still hurt me.”

He swallows roughly. “Fair.”

The silence stretches until it’s almost unbearable. Then, with a dry chuckle, he adds, “Uh…now he’s my boss. Which is great. Very healthy workplace dynamic.”

I raise an eyebrow.

“I’m just saying…” With a shake of his head, he continues. “If you want to, you know, casually mention that I’m not a total failure of a human being, that might keep him from putting me on piss-cleaning duty for the next six months.”

Knowing Ryan and what his plans probably are, I laugh.

“I deserve some of it,” he admits. “But I’d rather not get hazed for the rest of my career.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” I say. “No promises.”

He looks at me then, really looks, and the wall between us lowers just a little.

“I missed you,” he says. “Even when I was pissed. I still missed my little sister.”

“I missed you too. But I don’t want to do this again, Adal.”

“We won’t.”

When he stands, I catch his hand before he turns to go.

“I meant it. I’ll talk to Ryan.”

Nodding, he squeezes once. “Thanks. Just…don’t tell him I begged.”

“Too late.”

He smirks. “Figures.”

And then he’s gone. But this time, the door closes like a beginning—not an end.