Page 130 of Finding Hope

Chaos reigns supreme as Jack’s sisters rally. A militia forms, women storm their castles to collect weapons and prepare for battle.

The men watch on helpless, though they try to talk the troops down.

Izzy flexes her muscles. Literally. She’s going to war with her bare fists.

Tina’s tying her hair up.

Kit’s grinding her teeth at the same time she pulls on comfy jeans and sneakers. She’s going to walk all over my brother’s face, and she’ll laugh while doing it.

And I don’t feel a lick of remorse.

Even my sweet Evie, my sassy student, literally has her new skateboard in hand. I legitimately wonder if she’s going to bash my brother over the head with it.

Then there’s Tink… Quiet. Watchful.

She has no apparent weapons. No muscle to speak of. No long hair to tie up. I’m terrified she might actually be packing heat.

But still, I’m not sorry.

What Alex said to Jack was horrible. I love my brother, I always didand I always will, but what he said was cruel, and he took his big brother duties too far.

I know about Jack, I know about the accident. And I know damn well X was on the scene that day. I know he and Jack formed a brotherhood over tragedy. I know Alex actuallylikesthis family.

His words tonight were horrible and untrue.

“You guys should maybe go to my house,” Tink announces calmly. “Take the babies.”

Evie and Bean slam their hands down on their hips and snarl at their aunty.

“The big girls can stay.”

“Sunshine.” Jon approaches Tink warily. “There’s no way in hell we’re letting you do this. You can’t attack the chief of poli–”

Her fiery eyes tear her husband apart and have him stepping back. “You know what happened last year! We don’t let some asshole come in and throw those words around.”

Bobby steps toward Kit.

We’re all pissed, but Kit is chief of this tribe. You want to stop this war, you need to stop Kit.

“You need to calm down, baby.”

“Calm down?”

“He was just looking out for his baby sister. What he said was shitty, but we’ve all said mean shit when we look out for our own.”

“What if he starts drinking again?” Kit speaks of Jack as though he isn’t even in the room.

He doesn’t seem nearly as mad as he should. He simply sits on the couch, sitting forward, elbows on his knees, knuckles in his mouth. I see the hidden smile and dancing eyes.

“I won’t drink, Kit. You’re being dumb.”

“Maybe you’re just in shock,” she argues. “Maybe this is a post-traumatic thing that Alex instigated. When you come around tomorrow, you’ll get it. Then you’ll get mad, or maybe you’ll wanna drink. Alex will have ruined all your hard work. I’ll fix this for you first.”

“You need to stop, Kit.”

She spins on her brother, then pins her husband with her eyes, and every guy in the room after that. “If you’re not on our side, then you’re the enemy.”

“Fuckin’ drama.” Jon scratches his fingers through his hair in agitation. He points to the youngest Kincaid brother. “Pretty sure I said some shitty things to Jim over the years.”

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