“Dude, where did you get the need to keep everything so in place and use coasters and shit?” Havoc asked.
“How did you not? Were you not raised in the same clan? Mess up somebody’s shit and if one of our mothers didn’t slap you, our dads did,” Remi said.
Havoc took a long swig of his beer, then nodded. “You’re right. Use the coaster, got it.”
“Your woman would raise all kinds of hell if you didn’t take care of your stuff,” Remi said.
“And rightly so. I’m not disrespecting your shit. Just like giving you a hard time,” Havoc grinned, taking another swig and putting his beer bottle down on the coaster Remi had slid his way.
“Hey, anybody see that place Daisy’s trying to buy?” Brandt asked, changing the subject.
“No, where is it?” Christian asked.
“It’s that little place they used to sell portable sheds out of,” Brandt answered.
“The one they cemented the whole damn place, corner to corner?” Barron asked.
“Used to be a nice little house. They let it fall apart, and killed all the damn grass,” Christian said.
“Why that place?” Barron asked.
“That’s the one she wants to put her art place in,” Brandt said. “I told her that we’d check it out and make sure it’s sound. If so, and she really wants it, we’ll help her get it in shape.”
“Makes her smile again?” Havoc asked, shoving a chip with more onion dip on it than it should naturally hold into his mouth.
“Yeah, it does,” Brandt said.
“I’m in, then. I hate that somebody as sweet as her ended up so sad.”
“Same. Y’all know I’m not here much, but whenever I am, I’ll be there,” Christian said.
“What did happen with that? Why’s she been so unlike herself for so long?” Ronan asked.
“Don’t know the details. I get redirected every time I ask. I will find out, though. Do not underestimate me,” Brandt said. “In the meantime, though. I have something else to talk to y’allabout. I’m gonna need you to understand that this is not to be repeated — not to anyone,” he said, glaring at Havoc.
“Hey! Don’t look at me like that. Something is secret, it’s secret. I won’t tell Analise.”
Barron, Remi, Ronan, and Christian all turned and smirked at him. “I won’t! Especially if it’s somebody else’s private business. Maybe. Probably. As long as she doesn’t ask me directly.”
Christian laughed. “You used to have balls, Havoc.”
“Yeah, and so did you! I see you sneaking in here sometimes and hooking up with Addie before sneaking out again before the sun comes up.”
Christian’s grin faded. “It’s none of your business.”
“Didn’t say it was. Just making sure you know I know.”
“And now we all know,” Ronan said, lifting his beer in a toast. “To brotherhood, blood and non-blood.”
“And just so everybody here knows, I was fucking dying. And now I’m not. And I promised her no more secrets ever! And I’m not breaking a single damn promise to my woman again, ever! You got a problem with that, y’all can all kiss my ass,” Havoc announced.
“I get it. It’s a fine line to walk between keeping private business private, and keeping secrets from your mate. Tempest understands, though, thankfully,” Brandt said.
“I’m sure Analise would, too. She’s not unreasonable,” Havoc said. “All I have to say is, ‘Brandt said I’m not allowed to talk about it.’”
“Great, send her to take it up with me. Thanks,” Brandt drawled.
“Hey, she’s your cousin,” Havoc said with a shrug as he ate more chips and dip.
