Page 54 of Red River

He didn’t even look at me, just walked past and went upstairs. I couldn’t stop feeling bad for him. My guilty conscience was eating me alive, but there was no other way.

Even if I left today and took him to my parents, it could be even worse. Igor hated them—and unlike Archer, he actually had some reasons. That resentment had been ingrained in him by Thomas for years. Besides, my father was not as dominant as Archer, and it would be crazy to expect an older man to fight with the raging hormones of a young, hostile alpha who had grown up being taught to hate him.

Archer was a stranger, which meant Igor had no backstory fueling his anger toward him. I prayed that would make all the difference in the end.

He went into the small pantry in the corner of the kitchen and came out with a bottle of mineral water.

Our eyes met.

I made a small nod, and… he responded in kind.

But not a word was spoken. There was no need.

I was going to honor Archer’s request and trust him to lead Igor, knowing how crucial his role was. Trying to interfere with what his instincts were telling him might disrupt the whole process.

Soon after, Lake came downstairs, his usual serious expression in place, carefully carrying his small keyboard. He set it on the living room table and started playing, completely lost in his own world.

Only then did Aiden and Van come down, and to my great surprise… Igor joined us for breakfast too!

Wow! Had Archer talked to him about it? Or was it just a healthy hunger? In any case, I was jumping with excitement—though only on the inside.

Igor didn’t say a word as he sat down at his plate. At the same time, I shot a look at Van, who was fidgeting—clearly about to take a jab at Igor.

Archer came out of the shower and noticed the keyboard on the table.

"Who plays the keyboard?"

Lake raised a finger like he was in class.

"Will you play meTwinkle, Twinkle, Little Star?"

"I can playNothing Else Mattersby Metallica on my guitar," Van muttered, but Lake ignored him.

"I already knowChopsticks,Jingle Bells,Hot Cross Buns, and a few more!" he proudly listed.

Archer smirked. "Of course, you do! Please playChopsticks. I love that melody!"

Lake stepped up to the keyboard with an adorably serious expression. He stretched his fingers dramatically, making Archer stifle a chuckle, then started playing, his little brows furrowed in concentration.

When he finished, Archer clapped enthusiastically. "Bravo!"

Lake’s cheeks turned red, but before he could show off any more tunes, Van muttered, "You should hear our dad play the violin." He shot me a glance. "He’s a true virtuoso."

Immediately, I frowned at him.

Archer’s gaze locked onto mine—intense. "I would love to hear him play," he said in a tone that sent a wave of heat straight to my crotch.

"I’m rusty. It’s a bad idea."

Fortunately, I was saved by the doorbell.

The guys from Home Depot had arrived, and Archer had to help unload the materials for the obstacle course. All theyounger boys ran outside with him, eager to get started. Their excitement was contagious, and it made me happy.

Of course, Igor didn’t join them.

"Don’t you want to help?" I muttered as he licked his plate clean.

"No."

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