“I’m not feeling too good about it myself.” And they never discounted their intuition, not since they’d learned to trust Addie. “I’ll make sure to pay Liam for his time.”
Tanner nodded his thanks.
Liam was an almost twenty-year-old who’d gotten out on his own after a rough start in life. Overall, Tanner, Kam, and Addie treated him like extended family. Wasn’t hard to do when Liam was so appreciative of everything ever done for him.
After a quick debate with himself, Kam said, “Some dude named Mike was hanging around last night, hoping to give Glory a ride. She didn’t want me to say anything to you, but you already know most of it now.”
“Did he see Dan?”
“Yeah, he was there when Dan offered us a ride.”
“This gets more interesting by the second.”
It got more... something. Because of his promise to Glory, he wouldn’t go into any details about Mike, but with Dan being run off the road, he had to make sure his brother was on guard. “Mike could be a problem. He’s pushy and doesn’t seem to takenofor an answer.”
“No to you, or to Glory?”
“Both.” Keeping it simple, Kam added, “Keep an eye out. I don’t know if he’s still around, if he’s staying in town—”
“If he’s the clown who broke Glory’s window.”
“Exactly.” How far would Mike take it, and just how dangerous could he be? “Right now, he’s an unknown, and I don’t like it.”
“Isn’t your new apartment supposed to be around here somewhere?”
Supposed to be? Kam had no doubt that Tanner knew exactly where the place was. It was only because of the wedding that Kam hadn’t yet moved in.
Knowing his brother liked to bait him, and that he’d get to the point soon, Kam nodded at a cross street. “It’s right there, in that four-family.” Close enough that he could be at Glory’s in two minutes, tops. Sooner if he ran.
Seconds ticked by before Tanner gave a disgruntled huff. “I still don’t understand why you’re leaving.”
“I’m notleaving.” Wasn’t like he was abandoning his family. “I’m twenty-six. Past time I get my own place.”
The flexing of Tanner’s hands on the wheel gave away his mood. “Callie thinks it’s because of her, because she’s moving in. She’s worried that—”
“For God’s sake. I hope you told her that was nonsense.”
“I did.”
Since Tanner’s tension didn’t ease, Kam’s annoyance grew. “Callie is a sweetheart. I enjoy her company, and more than that, I love that you have her and that she has you. I could happily live with her around—if I hadn’t already decided that I wanted my own space.”
That didn’t appease Tanner. “I like having my family together.”
Laughing with frustration, Kam ran his hands over his face. “There’s together, and then there’s together. I will always be there for you and Addie, and now Callie, too.” And Glory, though he wouldn’t say that out loud. “Always.”
Because he understood Tanner, Kam knew he wanted to keep the people he loved close at hand. The start that each of them had had in life... It was the sick, twisted kind of hurt that crawled deep and lived with you the restof your days. By taking them in, Addie had literally saved them, showed them the type of unconditional love they hadn’t known was possible, and taught them the meaning of family.
It was important to Kam, too, but equally important was his need to prove he could make it on his own. “I’m not you, Tanner. I’d appreciate it if you gave me space to do my own thing.”
Exhaling, Tanner ceded with a tight nod. “You’re right. I guess with our backgrounds, I like having everyone close together and accounted for—a tight family, know what I mean?”
“You’re protective by nature and like to keep an eye on everyone.” Kam knew it well. He’d rarely had to fight a battle on his own once Tanner became his brother. “We’ll still be tight. You’ll see me every day if you want. Addie’s already made me promise to come back for dinner.”
That further loosened Tanner’s shoulders. “Yeah, you can’t be missing her food. It’d make her sad.”
That’s something he’d never want to do. But he hated the idea of disappointing Tanner, too. For ten years, before Addie had taken him in, Kam was told the type of man he’d one day be. The worst type of human.
So many times, he’d been punished for something he hadn’t done, but for what others assumed he’d one day be.You’re just like your father. A no-good bastard.Remembering put a lead weight on his chest.You’re in his image. Hateful, mean—every woman’s nightmare.