“Aye, I’ll help ye fix yer car. Might take me a while.”
I roll my eyes and start to bite my tongue. I walk a few paces away from them and cock my head to Brody. At first, he regards me like a worrisome flea. After a grunt, he strolls over.
There’s a flash of a smile on Justice’s face when I hide myself behind his larger frame. I look up at him, finger-wagging. “We need to get a few things straight here.”
“Wit?”
“You have feelings for Justice.”
Silence.
“Whatever, Brody. Hurt her—”
“Wit? Ye’ll fight me? Ye’ve been in my ear for years now. But,” his hands rest on top of his head, “I’ll try not to hurt—”
“No,” I snarl. Clearing my throat, I lower my voice again. “Justice doesn’t deserve the bad guy. That’s all I’m trying to say. Please don’t be that guy around her.”
“We’ve not evenfeck—grrr . . .” He wriggles his tensed jaw. “Okay. Ye win. Ye’re clan. I can compromise. I’ll not be the bad lad,Chevelle.”
I’m not afforded a second to scrutinize Brody. Mia falls out of the doorway.
“That could be yer room,” Leith’s saying as she scampers down the porch steps.
“Mommy!” She runs along the cracked path toward me, flying into my arms. The tables have turned. I’m receiving the premium treatment Leith usually benefits from.
“What’s wrong, honey?” I run a thumb over her trembling chin.
“Dad told me all my pretty stuff is gone. My princess bed!” Hot tears wash along Mia’s cheeks as I hold her to my neck.
“Baby, let’s go get some Fruit Loops.”
Mia pouts. “Fru-fruit loops?”
“Yes, honey. Uncle Brody andAuntieJusticeare going to watch you for a little while. They have lots and lots of Fruit Loops.”
“Okay . . .” Mia manages to stammer.
Leith grabs the coveted box of cereal from the trunk of the Chevelle SS and hands it to Brody. “Chevelle and I need to go to the police department. I have all the documents needed to show we were vacationing out of the country when our home went up in flames.”
Justice takes Mia from my arms. In a high-pitched voice, she exclaims, “Let’s go eat Fruit Loops, sweetie! Tell me the type of toys you want to decorate this room of yours.”
“Toys? Sure,” Mia exclaims as Leith and I watch them start along the path. “Auntie Justice, show me your room too, okay? Mommy says you live with us, here. We decorate your room, too. Daddy’s rich. Daddy will buy us anything!”
Brody interjects. “Leith willnae buy Auntie Justice—”
“Brody!” Justice groans.
Standing at the end of the driveway, I watch as the front door closes. “Sounds like she’s back.”Chew his head off, girl.
“What?” Leith regards me with a raised brow.
“Justice. It’s nothing.”
“Mybrathair’sattracted to yer friend.” Leith engulfs my hands with his own. “Ye will give him a chance. If not for me, for her. Justice looks at him, ye know.”
“Brody’s fine as hell. Of course, she looks at him.” I’ve darted halfway around the Chevelle SS when Leith reaches me. He spins me around, pinning me to the door.
His tensed jaw is bound with envy. “Say it again.”