Page 103 of One Little Kiss

“Honestly, Halt? I don’t know that, and if he’d done what’s right, I never would have been in that position. I don’t give a flying fuck about Pacen. We saw her on Block Island two summers ago. She made a choice, and it wasn’t him, so whatever kind of relationship they had, it’s over. It’s time for him to choose. Her, or me.”

No one says a word for a long time until Preston slams his fist down on the island. “Colt’s right. We’re not doing Ash any favors, letting him hide out in seclusion. Whatever hold Pacen has on him, he has to let it go. I’ll talk to him.”

“Thanks, Pres. I-I can’t lose them. I’ve only just found them, but they’re already my whole life.”

“I know,” he says, pulling me into a hug. “I know. Dad would be proud of you, Colty. I’m proud of you, too. I’m sorry if I didn’t say that soon enough. Winnie and Wes are your family, which makes them our family. We’ll do everything in our power to keep them both safe and with you. I’ll make sure of it.”

As he releases me, I nod. I’m too overwhelmed to speak. My heart aches with fear for my family and pride in my brothers.

“It’s what we do,” East cuts in. “We take care of our own.”

“Welcome to the chaos,” we say in unison.

“Now, let’s get this food out there before our girls barf all over your family room.”

“Jesus. Please tell me you got pictures when you picked them up last night?” I ask East.

A mischievous grin spreads across his face. “Oh, I got pictures and videos. They’re going to make a great slide show at Christmas.”

Howling laughter erupts from each of us, followed by a hiss from the ladies.

“Shut up, or I’ll cut you,” Julia whines, but it lacks her usual ball-buster enthusiasm.

“We better feed them.” I chuckle.

“And take a few more pictures.” Preston smirks with his phone pointed in their direction.

Yeah, this is exactly where I’m meant to be. With Winnie, Wes, and my brothers, we’re an unbeatable team. I hope, anyway.

CHAPTER32

WINNIE

“It doesn’t mean he’s won,” one of our attorneys explains for the fourth time.

Colton, Preston, and I are sitting huddled together on one side of a conference table while an army of lawyers sits across from us, flipping papers, typing on computers, and most of them mumbling to themselves.

Preston showed up a month ago with a team of men and women he said would make this nightmare go away. I’d believed him at the time. A group of six people entered our home with plans, papers, a common goal. Make sure Weston stays with us. A month ago, I had a man who showed me day after day how much he loved me and a group of women who showed up time and time again to welcome me into the fold. I had a fiancé and friends. I was truly living in a fairytale.

I still have the fiancé, and the friends, but it’s beginning to feel more like a nightmare I can’t wake up from. Tears stream down my face, but I make no noise. I’m terrified if I let it out, I’ll never be able to stop. Colton has an arm wrapped protectively around my shoulders, and Preston has a firm grasp on my left hand.

He gives it a squeeze before he speaks. “He may not have won the war, but he sure as hell won a battle in there, Marc. What are you going to do to make sure that never happens again?” I’ve never heard Preston in business mode. He’s more than a little scary.

“I know it feels that way, but the fact that Darling got supervised visitation is not unexpected, and we ensured that Colton would be the supervisor.”

I’m sure that tidbit pissed off my father, but it doesn’t offer any consolation. My entire body trembles like I’m going through withdrawals.

Colton kisses the side of my head and whispers, “I won’t let anything happen to Wes, Winnie.”

I can only nod. I’m in a daze, or maybe it’s shock. All I can do is shiver like a leaf in the wind. Colton has made so many promises, and he has always delivered. I just have to remember that.

“Next steps?” Preston barks.

“Well, first we’re going to find a way to admit the information your brother found without getting him arrested.” This time it’s one of the women lawyers. She dressed exactly as I always pictured myself in my daydreams of law school. A perfectly fitting navy suit over a light pink silky shirt. She has her hair pulled back in a professional, yet stylish updo.

Staring at her, I let go of the only dream I ever had for myself.

“We’ll get you there someday,” Colton whispers. He still misses nothing.