Page 15 of Pretty Princess

Grant flipped Byron off.

“Daddy!” Caleb shouted from across the yard.

Grant held his hands up and smiled at his boy. “Now you’re getting me in trouble,” he mumbled.

Both Byron and Jace laughed at him.

“Mac and Hayley,” Jace said. “I can actually see it.

“Me too,” Byron agreed. “The boys don’t have a clue. I can’t wait until they figure it out.”

Grant looked at Hayley with renewed interest. The sweet boy was a Little like Avery. Grant could see that appealing to the hitman. Mac was protective of their boys. He had a soft spot for them and all their pets.

“You’re not going to tell Mitch?” Grant questioned.

“Not yet. I’m hoping that Mac will confide in him.”

Grant nodded. Ever since Mac had been responsible for Mitch’s father going to jail Mitch had blossomed. Not being held under his father’s thumb was exactly what Mitch had needed. Even though Grant had his suspicions about Mac he had to admit that what the hitman had done was best for Mitch. And mac hadn’t killed anyone. At least that time. He’d actually worked within the law.

Grant couldn’t look away from murder. The detective in him wouldn’t allow it. But Grant could also see the benefit of some of what Mac had done to ensure Mitch’s father’s prison term. There was a gray area that Grant didn’t want to think about.

“Hayley would keep Mac on his toes. That’s for sure,” Grant commented.

“Shit, that means he’ll be around Avery more,” Jace bitched. “I’ve done a pretty good job of keeping Mac at a distance. No way will that continue if he gets together with Hayley.”

Grant didn’t have the heart to tell Jace that he hadn’t been doing as good a job as he thought. Grant knew for a fact that Mac made weekly appearances at the coffee shop that Avery worked part-time. Avery had even called Mac one of his favorite customers. Avery not putting together that Mac was the hitman they talked about.

“Face it,” Byron said. “The contract killer is in our lives to stay.”

“And you’re okay with that?” Grant had to know. Mitch was the friendliest with Mac.

“I’d be better if he’d stop breaking into our house,” Byron grumbled.

Grant chuckled. Mac had only done that once. Grant had pulled a gun on him and told him to knock next time. Mac knocked now. Not that Grant thought Mac was afraid of him. Once a line was drawn Mac seemed to respect it.

“This is going to be an interesting holiday season,” Jace commented.

Groaning, Grant threw his head back. “We’re going to have a hitman at our Thanksgiving table, aren’t we?”

Byron drained the rest of his beer. “Yep.”

Jace

“But Daddy,” Avery whined. “I’m not tired.”

Jace had gathered all of Avery’s candy, some leftover food, and the diaper bag. All he needed was to wrestle his boy into his car.

“I know baby,” Jace told his boy. “But Hayley and Mitch already left. Grant is ready to clean up and get Caleb ready for bed.”

Poking his bottom lip out Avery looked around the living room. “Maybe we should help clean up.”

“I thought you’d prefer a bath before bed.”

Avery narrowed his eyes. “A bath? Really?”

“If you can stay awake until we get home you can take a bath.”

“And play,” Avery stressed. “I can take a bath and play.”

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