Page 44 of Shiny Things

“I heard about that. Whose idea was it? I’m honestly shocked it got passed. Happy about it but surprised. They’re good people and deserve equal representation.”

“Thanks. And it was my idea. Reese officially put it to vote though.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. The Caldwells fought to get on there and were always vocal that the seven families should all be represented. And Kim’s a Grimes. What was Mom thinking?”

“I doubt she was. She was probably just off on one of her elitist rants without thinking at all. To make matters worse, they voted Kim’s dad as the interim rep for the Grimes Flock. So that hit a little too close to home.”

“I can imagine. Poor Kim. Is she okay?”

I shrugged. “Gia guilted her to come back over with a promise that she wouldn’t be left alone with our mother.”

“Maybe we should go over and run interference for her.”

I grinned. “For Mom or for Kim.”

“Kim of course.”

“Are you trying to defend my mate now?”

He rolled his eyes. “Well she’s going to be part of the family, isn’t she?”

“Absolutely.”

“Then the way I see it, I have another sister to look after. And I sure as hell wouldn’t let Gia be subject to our mother in a situation like that.”

“Kim will freak out if I show up. And honestly, I’m not sure I can keep my mouth shut, and she made me promise to lay low for a bit. Who knows how long that will last. My raven is already losing his shit just knowing she’s over there.”

He snorted. “Thank God it’s you and not me. I have no desire to take a mate.”

“Right up until the second you meet her. And then, everything changes.”

“If you say so.”

“I do, little brother. Trust me on this.”

He snorted again. “Whatever. I’m going to head over and check on things. Want me to keep you updated on how she’s doing?”

“Yes. But don’t tell her you know or that I sent you there to spy on things. Because I didn’t.”

“Right. Sure. You got it.”

“Asshole,” I muttered as he jumped back into his car and drove off.

As much as Ryan annoyed me at times, he really was a great brother. I was going to owe him for this.

Growing up, being the oldest wasn’t always easy. There were expectations that came with being a Davenport and they were instilled in each of us from the moment we were born. Ryan took it to heart and rarely ever did anything wrong. Maybe thatshould have been me as the oldest and all, but why bother when he was always the perfect child?

I knew at a young age that I would never fully live up to my parents’ expectations, so I didn’t bother trying. Everyone doted over Ryan anyway. The few times that he had truly screwed up, I’d taken the fall for him and no one had ever been the wiser. That was just the kind of brother I was. I didn’t care if I disappointed people. For years, I thrived on doing just that. But he did care. He cared a lot.

No one was surprised when he won the title of mayor at a young age. Hell, he was still young to be our mayor, but everyone loved him and supported him. And as long as he was happy, I was proud as hell of him.

There were times when the two of us didn’t get along and couldn’t see eye to eye. I was the dark to his light, the bad to his good. I was the black sheep while he was the perfect sacrificial lamb, and it worked for us.

We had an odd relationship, but sometimes that was just how it worked with family. And when push came to shove, there was nothing I wouldn’t do for him, including standing there smiling on stage, waving to the crowd, as he accepted another election won. Because that’s what we do for those we love, for family. Which meant Ryan’s willingness to watch out for my mate meant the world to me.

Kim

Chapter 13

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