Page 23 of Vail

Cat ignored her husband and walked over to hug me. “Happy early birthday, big brother.” She handed me a gift bag.

“Thank you.”

Hartley was next. Cat wrapped her arms around him tight. “Hartley, it’s so good to see you. It’s been forever.” She leaned back to take him in. “You’ve really grown up. I can see why my brother is attracted to you.” A blush heated Hartley’s cheeks. Cat winked.

Then she moved to Jordan, who stood stoically, not uttering a word. I braced myself. Anything could come out of Cat’s mouth.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t big, bad Jordan Altair. So, you’re one of the men my brother is in love with.”

“It would appear so,” Jordan said, no hint of irritation in his tone. I couldn’t tell how he felt about my sister with her pink hair, jeans, and bright pink shirt.

“You love my brother and Hartley, right?”

“I do.” Jordan had come a long way from when he had a hard time voicing how he felt. It brought a grin to my lips hearing him tell my sister. I doubted he’d run out to the street and shout it. With my family, he was a little more at ease. He knew how much they meant to me.

“You take care of them and protect them?” I knew better than to interrupt her. She’d shush me if I did. I still wanted to remind her I could take care of myself. I didn’t. The urge was there though.

“I do.”

“And you don’t involve them in any of your other bullshit that could put them in jail?”

“Never.”

“Okay, one last question. How much would I have to pay to convince you to ignore my brother’s request not to touch Gil? I want that fucker dead, buried deep so no one will ever find his fucking body.”

“Cat,” I said with a sigh.

She ignored me, focusing solely on Jordan. “Well?”

His lips twitched. I knew putting him in a room with my sister would be dangerous. “There is nothing you could say or do that would have me go against your brother.”

Cat leaned closer, her eyes narrowing. “Are you sure about that?”

“Cat, stop,” Dana said, reaching for her hand to pull her away. Dana wasn’t a fan of Jordan. Yes, he wanted me to be happy. He wasn’t thrilled to be here, especially with my sister. He was as protective of her as Jordan was over Hartley and me.

“While your defense of your brother is admirable, I won’t go behind Vail’s back and hurt his pathetic excuse of an ex. If he wanders into my building or into the path of a car I’m in…” Jordan shrugged.

“Well played.” Cat grinned. “I like you. Not as much as Hartley, but you’re okay.”

“I’ll cherish your approval,” he replied drolly.

Laughing, Cat turned toward Dana. “This is my amazing husband, Dana. Honey, you already know Vail, but this is Hartley.”

Dana shook Hartley’s hand. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about you.”

“I’m sure Cat embellishes.”

“Probably, but that’s okay.”

Cat rolled her eyes and focused on Jordan. “This one doesn’t need an introduction.”

Jordan stuck out his hand. For a moment, I thought Dana wouldn’t shake it. When he finally did, I let out a breath.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Jordan said. “Dexen and Vail have sung your praises repeatedly.”

“Dexen pays me, so he’s biased. Vail’s related to me, so he’s always nice.”

“Are you sure about that?” I asked.

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