Page 29 of Five Brothers

“People marry for lots of reasons,” he explains, “that aren’t about love, and they get unhappy. To keep it together, they share with one another. Within their circle, that is, because there’s no danger of falling in love or breaking up families. They’re all in business deals together, so everyone has too much to lose and enough motivation to keep it quiet.”

Is that true? They fucking pass their wives around?

Milo lowers his voice, taunting us. “I hear Jerome Watson is after Krisjen.” He grins, and something starts crawling up my throat, my gut turning to brick. “She will get so much attention as a young St. Carmen wife. Maybe down the road, I’ll get my turn with her again.”

I bite down on my teeth, and he releases a sigh, a memory playing behind his eyes. “My favorite thing about Krisjen,” he whispers, “is that she hits back.”

I launch for him, grabbing him by the back of the neck and pushing him to the ground.Motherfucker.

Someone grabs me from behind. “No, goddammit!” Army bellows, wrapping his arm around my neck and hauling me back against him.

I growl, fighting to get away, and he throws me off to the side, getting in my face.

“Stop it!” Army yells at me. “He’s baiting you!”

He turns, and I glare at Milo, knowing we should’ve fucking killed him last May.

Army points his finger in Milo’s face. “Get the fuck out of here!”

Milo backs off, toward his car, but pauses to spit on our ground. “Enjoy your last week, Iron.” He breathes hard. “By the time you get out, nothing will be yours.”

And I know exactly what he means.

We watch him drive out of the Bay, and I wipe the sweat off my lip.

Why can’t they just leave us alone? They have everything. Our land is a fraction of what it was, and they just keep coming for more.

All of this will be gone by the time I’m out.

I see Krisjen carry drinks to people on the deck, and I head for her.

“Iron,” Trace calls out.

I ignore him, watching Krisjen head back inside.

“Krisjen,” I call.

She turns her head, sees me, and rolls her eyes. “I know …” She enters the restaurant, and I follow. “It took about three seconds after you left for me to realize that I did not want to be subjected to my mother today, so I’m taking you up on your offer. But just for today.” She nods, assuring me. “I won’t be back. I mean it.”

She’s being playful, but it’s the wrong time. “Just go now.”

She turns and looks at me, and I feel my brothers stopping behind me.

“I mean it,” I tell her. “Leave.”

Someone lets out a hard breath. Probably Trace. He wants to be on my side, but he doesn’t know what I’m doing.

Krisjen frowns, straightening as we all confront her. “What’s wrong?” she asks us.

“You heard him,” Dallas tells her. “Go.”

“We’re not a fucking tourist attraction,” I point out. “Dick for you girls to ride until you’ve had enough. Slum somewhere else.”

“Iron, knock it off,” Trace barks. “Krisjen’s not like that.”

“We’re a joke to them,” I say over my shoulder. “To all of them. They use us.”

“Like you and Dallas, or any of you, were looking for love all the times you went after St. Carmen tail?” She sneers. “Please.”

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