Page 3 of Protecting Lainey (Broterhood Alliance #7)

The sun slipped behind a cloud as Lainey finished up for the day.

Gus had whitewashed the offending words from the wall. The crew continued working, thankfully still showing up. But Lainey sensed an undercurrent of unease. Nothing she could do about it. But still.

The good news?

It was Friday. She didn’t work weekends. Never did. Never would.

Weekends were spent catching up with family, doing household chores, and the occasional night out with her new friends.

Like tomorrow night, she and a couple of girlfriends were going to meet up at Sugar Crush, a new dessert and cocktail bistro bordering Haywood Lake on Sunrise Cove Road between Fat Jack’s and the Italian Grille.

Because honestly, who didn’t like dessert and cocktails?

The drive back to her condo just outside town helped clear her mind. It was far enough away to forget how the morning started and pretend it was just another Friday. When she pulled into The Hammocks at Haywood, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Lainey knew the minute she drove down the winding lane—flanked by moss-draped oaks and pastel-painted townhouses in soft blues, sage, and peach—that she was home. The neighborhood was quiet and peaceful. Exactly what she needed after a long day at work.

The cherry on the cake was the glimmering lake that the townhouses surrounded.

The lake was a never-ending source of fascination for her son.

She’d purchased a book to identify the birds.

So far, they’d spotted a snowy egret, a little blue heron, an assortment of ducks, and most spectacularly, a beautiful roseate spoonbill.

Plus, it was close to Luke’s school, and the neighborhood was filled with kids, many of them Luke’s age. Her mother lived about a half hour north and was able to babysit whenever Zara, the college-age sitter she hired, couldn’t.

She slowed as she passed the lake, its surface mirror-smooth. A pair of herons stood motionless at the edge, as if waiting. For what, she wasn’t sure. But she understood the feeling.

Lainey continued and parked in her driveway, her headlights sweeping across the front porch and spotting Luke’s little head popping up in the window. She turned off the engine and sat for a minute more. Took a deep breath.

You’re fine. Everything is fine.

She wanted to believe that, and if she kept telling herself she was, she’d believe it.

Wouldn’t she?

Lainey let out the breath she was holding, unlocked the car, and stepped out. The door flew open before she could reach it. Luke jumped up and down.

“You’re home!”

“Hi, sweetie.” Lainey ruffled his dark brown hair, so much like his father’s.

She stepped into the foyer, the cool air a relief after working outdoors in the heat most of the day.

The polished wood floors flowed seamlessly into the open-concept living and dining room area.

The walls were painted soft sage green. Her favorite part was the gas fireplace framed in stone with a wooden mantel in the living room.

Rarely used, but when it got cold in Florida, and it did, it was handy.

“I am home,” she said, kicking off her shoes. “And it’s the weekend.”

A savory scent wafted from the kitchen—buttery, rich, and comforting.

“Is Grandma making grilled cheese?”

Luke grinned. “Yup. And tomato soup. And brownies.” He paused and made a face. “And salad.”

Lainey laughed, walking farther into the room. “Salad is good for you.”

Her mom walked out of the kitchen, drying her hands on a tea towel. Her silver-streaked hair was loose around her shoulders, and her eyes, so much like Lainey’s, sparkled with affection.

“Oh good, you’re home. I was just going to feed Luke. He’s starving and absolutely going to die if he doesn’t eat.” She looked affectionately at her grandson.

Lainey chuckled. “Well, thank goodness I made it home in time.” Lainey placed her bag on the bench. “I’d miss him if he died.”

Luke burst into giggles and launched himself into her arms. “That’s just a ’pression,” he said, rubbing his tummy. “But I am hungry.”

“Well then, let’s eat before you waste away and I can’t find you.”

Lainey followed him into the kitchen. It was her dream kitchen.

White shaker cabinets, marble countertops with delicate gray veining.

A farmhouse sink looking out onto a screened-in porch and the lake beyond.

A bowl of oranges sat on the island. The aroma of grilled cheese sizzling in the skillet made her mouth water.

And on the kitchen counter was a school flyer. Fourth Grade Overview . Mostly a plea for volunteers to bring snacks and sign up for field trips. She’d already signed up to be a room parent, and that was enough community service for one school year.

Her mother ladled the tomato soup into bowls.

Luke picked at the salad while keeping one eye on the brownies on the counter.

They ate while Luke carried the conversation, launching into a play-by-play of his day at camp.

Jack this. Jack that. Snack time was good.

The little girl sitting next to him threw up during art.

Lainey exchanged a smile with her mom as they took it all in.

These were the moments that made everything all right.

His best friend was Jack Ward. Lainey had met his mom, Dani, at an open house when the boys were in third grade, and they hit it off immediately. In fact, on Saturday night, Dani was one of the women meeting up at Sugar Crush for a girls’ night out. The first for Lainey in a while.

After dinner, they all cleaned up the kitchen. Luke ran upstairs to brush his teeth and get ready for bed.

“Lainey, is everything all right?” Her mother asked gently. “You’ve been quiet since you got home.”

“I’m just tired,” Lainey replied. “It was another rough day. One of the buildings was vandalized again. The police think it was just kids, but…”

“You don’t?”

She shook her head. “I want to believe that. However, I can’t stop thinking that Richard is behind this somehow.”

“Pffft. Richard!” Her mother rolled her eyes. “What a douchebag. I wouldn’t put it past him.”

Lainey chuckled. “Mom. Tell me how you really feel.”

“He was no good from the moment you got involved with him,” her mother continued, folding her arms across her chest. “I just knew it from the start.”

“True,” Lainey sighed. Richard Cummings had taken more than her trust and confidence. He ruined her career. And her reputation. “He disappeared while I was trying to pick up the pieces he destroyed.”

She stared at the floor. “The worst part is, I really thought he was the one. He pretended to care about Luke. Took him out for ice cream, bought him toys, played the perfect step-in dad. And I fell for it, hook, line, and sinker.” She shook her head from side to side. “I was such a fool.”

“Don’t ever say that,” her mother snapped.

“This is all on him. You gave your heart to someone who didn’t deserve your love and respect.

But let me tell you this. That bastard better never show his face around here.

I will…” Her fists clenched, and she shook with anger.

“I will bury his ass in the garden so fast and plant black dahlias over his grave and everyone will know what a shit he is.”

“Geez, Mom.” Lainey chuckled. “You’re scaring me. You’ve really thought about this, haven’t you?”

Her mom pursed her lips. “Sweetheart, I may be retired. I may look like a little old lady…” She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “But when it comes to protecting my daughter and grandson? Watch out.”

“Mom, I love your enthusiasm for violence.” Lainey yawned. “But I’m tired, and I need to read Luke a story and get to bed. Are you staying or going?”

“I’m going.” Her mom stood, grabbing her purse. “But I just want to say I’m so proud of you. You’ve never backed down even though he made things so difficult for you.”

“Thanks, Mom. Although you’re making me out to be braver than I am.”

“Humph.” Her mother leaned in and kissed her cheek. “You’re raising that boy without a father. You held your head high when gossip swirled. You’ve built a new life here. That’s not just brave, Lainey. It’s warrior brave.”

Lainey blinked. Her throat tightened. Her mother had always been in her corner, but to think she was warrior brave. Humph.

Her mom straightened. “Anyway, I made a pan of lasagna. It’s in the fridge. Give Luke a kiss for me.” She paused at the door. “You all set with a sitter tomorrow night?”

“Yes, Zara will be here.”

“Great. Call me if you need anything.”

When the door clicked shut, the house was finally silent. Lainey leaned back in the chair and stared at the ceiling. She didn’t feel like a warrior. She felt … tired. Just a woman patching her life together with duct tape and willpower.

However, tomorrow was a new day with new friends. And maybe that was enough for now.

Lainey walked upstairs to find Luke curled up in bed, the night-light on his nightstand softly glowing. He looked so much like his father. Her heart ached. Ached for the little boy who would never know him and for the man who was missing out on his son’s life.

“So, buddy,” she said, sitting on the edge. “What story should we read tonight?”

“The one about the dragons and knight,” he mumbled.

She picked up his favorite book from the nightstand and began to read about a brave dragon who was cast out and proved his courage over and over. Not with anger but with kindness.

And maybe that’s what bravery really was. It wasn’t loud. It didn’t hide. It showed up and was present. Unshaken in its belief in right and wrong.

Just like she did. Even on the days she didn’t feel brave at all.

Lainey looked down at Luke as his eyes fluttered closed.

She leaned down and kissed his cheek.

“Good night, my brave boy.”