Page 35 of Embraced in Ink

Marcus raised a brow. “What do you mean, well? She’s doing fine, the girls just left her place, though I didn’t realize they weren’t going to stay for long.”

“Their thing was earlier, while ours is running later. Although I don’t think Holland’s coming home directly, so she won’t end up hanging out with us at the house. She had a few things to do at her store.”

Holland had moved in with Ethan and Lincoln, so technically, this was her place, too. She also owned a fantastically eclectic shop on the main drag of the touristy places in Boulder. She did decently well selling art and knickknacks, and things from local artists, including unique craftsmanship pieces.

He’d bought a couple of items for his house and some gifts over the past few months. In fact, he’d gotten a great piece for his parents’ anniversary that he still needed to wrap. He’d probably end up taking it back to the store so Holland could do it better, but he would try, at least.

He frowned. “Ah, I guess I didn’t realize that.”

“You didn’t talk it over with Bristol, then?” There was something in the other man’s tone that put Marcus on edge. Aaron was a good man, a better brother, but he was so damn protective that he sometimes reminded Marcus of himself.

And that wasn’t always a good thing.

“Is there something you want to ask? Because you sure are acting like you have something on your mind.” Marcus might be quiet most of the time, but he also didn’t have to take Aaron’s shit. He liked Aaron. A lot. The guy was caring, funny, and usually had a quick wit that could make anyone smile, even if they were having the shittiest of days. But he was also as overprotective as the rest of the damn Montgomerys. Like Marcus was when it came to his own familyandthe Montgomerys.

“Why? Is there something you need to say?”

“You’re starting to worry me,” Aaron said, and Marcus frowned, stuffing his phone into his pocket.

“I am?”

“You’re not usually the most talkative of the bunch, but I still can’t quite believe that you’re dating my sister—no, dating’s not the right word.Engaged to her. Were you lying to us all this time? Keeping your relationship a secret? I don’t know how I feel about that.”

And this was why Marcus was still on the fence about telling the truth as to exactly what was going on between him and Bristol. However, it was still his issue to contend with. They needed to work this out between them. Not anyone else. No one needed to know exactly how their relationship had come about. Because it was still in its infancy. They needed to figure it out on their own. And having everybody in their business, trying to get answers from them, wasn’t going to help that.

“I know you’re her brother and all, but I don’t think I need to tell you everything about my relationship with your sister.”

Aaron’s brows shot up. “You know, I didn’t think you’d actually step off like that. I figured you’d be the one to tell us since Bristol is always tight-lipped about her life. However, sheismy sister, so I do believe you owe me an explanation.”

Liam was behind Aaron suddenly and put his hand on Aaron’s shoulder. He gave it a squeeze, and Aaron winced. Marcus tried not to find any glee in the action. It mostly worked. “Stop interrogating Marcus. Tonight is guys’ night. Meaning, don’t be a fucking idiot.”

Aaron, however, didn’t let up. “I’m just saying, I want to know how you ended up engaged to our baby sister.”

“She’sourbaby sister,” Ethan said, coming up on Aaron’s other side. All the Montgomery guys were pretty much the same size—big, broad, and pure muscle. And considering that most of them worked from desk chairs, Marcus was always surprised by how beefed-up they were. It probably made sense that their guys’ night tonight was starting with a workout, and then perhaps a beer if they felt like it.

Ethan and Lincoln had a gym in their basement, and not one with only a single punching bag and maybe a treadmill. No, they had gone all out, considering that Lincoln had a kick-ass job that allowed him to spend money on the two loves of his life even if they didn’t always like it that he did.

“Yes, you’re the baby,” Liam agreed.

Aaron rolled his eyes. “But she’s the smallest. I don’t like being the baby.”

“I don’t think your place in the hierarchy of the Montgomerys has changed in the past twenty-something years,” Lincoln said, shaking his head.

Marcus grinned and got up from the seat at the desk that he’d been sitting in.

“Considering I’m the baby, too, I feel for you,” Marcus said.

Aaron’s eyes brightened. “Yes, I always forget that you’re the baby. But you have three older sisters.”

“They never let me get away with anything, even though my mother always said I was spoiled and coddled.”

“See, that makes sense, then,” Liam said, squeezing Aaron’s shoulder again. “Aaron is spoiled and coddled.”

“Fuck all y’all.”

“Y’all? We live in Colorado. Not Texas.”

“I’ve been watching westerns. Sue me.”

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