Page 46 of The Forever Rule

“What are we talking about with diapers?” Flynn asked as he came into the kitchen, eyes wide at everything I was doing at once. Ford was behind him, and without a word, immediately went to check the chicken.

I waved him off. “It’s just resting.”

Ford leaned forward. “I’m just making sure we don’t give any of us food poisoning. Wouldn’t that be a great way to start this.”

“I really want us to actually get along to spite that man. Is that weird?” Flynn said, and I turned to him, realizing that my brother might be on the right path.

“Meaning we all get along and become one big happy family, and we can look down at Father and kick him?” I asked.

Ford burst out laughing, Dorian joining him, as Flynn just rolled his eyes.

“You really believe he’s down in Hell?” Flynn asked.

“I don’t even know if I believe in Hell, but if there is, he’s burning down there. There’s got to be a few carnal sins that he broke.”

“More than a few,” Dorian said with a laugh.

The doorbell rang at that moment, and my spine tensed once more.

“They aren’t the enemy,” Ford whispered.

I met my brother’s gaze and nodded. As the only one of us settled down and married, sometimes I felt that Ford knew exactly what he was doing with his life. The fact that he was the youngest of us all probably shouldhave worried me. But it didn’t. He had found his path right away and hadn’t taken a no from fate for an answer.

“I’ll go get the door,” Flynn said as he hurried off, Dorian on his tail.

I sighed. “I know they aren’t the enemy. We keep reminding ourselves that.”

Ford squeezed my shoulder. “At this point Dad’s the enemy. But I’ve felt that way for a long while.”

I looked over at my youngest brother. “I’m just glad that you know Phoebe at least. That’s at least a touchstone.”

“And I know she’s not going to be here tonight. She’s out with Kane,” he said, speaking of Phoebe’s boyfriend.

I groaned, sad that someone I actually knew wouldn’t be there. “Well, at least we can get the introductions over with.”

“I don’t know them either and I want to. Because Flynn’s right. I want to spite Father. So fuck him.”

“Damn straight.” I made sure all the burners were off, things settled in their serving dishes and still warming, and made my way into the living room.

Isabella stood there, wearing a soft blue dress, and wide eyes—a surprise. Sophia stood next to her, her chestnut hair in curls down her back. She had straight hair when I had seen her before, and I didn’t know which one was natural. I didn’t know anything about our family it seemed.

“Welcome,” I said, not bothering to hold out my hand. I didn’t want it to seem too formal. Of course, my house was a little more formal than most.

“Your home is lovely,” Sophia said, as she held out a covered dish. I immediately took it from her and looked down at it, feeling awkward as hell. “It’s a Boston cream cake pie thing.” She winced. “It’s like a Boston cream pie, but has cake in it? I’m not quite sure how to describe it.”

That made me smile. “I don’t know exactly what you’re talking about, but if it has chocolate and Bavarian cream? I’m happy.”

“Then you’ll be happy,” she said with a bright smile.

“Sophia is actually a really great baker.” Isabella frowned. “I have no idea why I saidactuallylike that. Sorry. I’m just going to let my words tumble over one another.”

“Then we can all be twins,” Flynn said. “Of course, my twin isn’t here right now,” he said with a grin.

“Oh yes, so are you Flynn or Hudson?” Sophia asked.

Flynn winced. “I’m sorry for not actually introducing myself. I am Flynn. Hudson isn’t here.”

“He’s the one who lives in the small town that you apparently own?” Isabella asked, her brow raised.

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