Page 48 of Break The Ice

I move straight to his side and take his hand. Clearly marking my territory as loud as I possibly can.

“I told you to leave,” Raider says coldly. “I said I wasn’t interested.”

“Raider, please.”

He shakes his head, but the door opens, and more people walk in. Raider bristles.

I recognise them instantly. Locke Raines, Ryn Raines, and the third must be another one, maybe a sister to Locke. They have the exact same coloring.

Ryn, with the dark hair and teal highlights, crosses the room, ignoring my growl, and throws herself at Raider. To my dismay, he lets go of my hand and hugs her.

The other two join him, and I move backwards and away, feeling like I’m intruding.

“That’s Ryn, Locke, and Lia. They are his cousins,” Kit whispers.

“What are you doing here?” Raider asks at last.

Ryn wipes her eyes, but she’s still got hold of his hand. I don’t like it. At all.

“Just stopping in to check on you before I head off on a holiday.”

“I’m here to help Bethany win you over,” the blond says shamelessly. I decide I don’t like her.

“We were visiting and promised,” Locke says with a shrug. “Plus, Erin wanted to see your game.”

The door opens again and another one stomps in. My eyes widen, and I look between them in alarm.

“Motherfucker, you do look like me!” this replica says in shock.

Raider bristles.

“Bailey, we talked about language,” Charles says.

“Oh, yes, right.” He adopts a lofty tone and repeats the phrase. I like this other version of Raider.

“Bailey, right?” Raider asks and turns on his father with a rage that takes my breath away. “What’s he doing here?”

“Bailey’s got no family but ours, so I’m teaching him how to-”

“To be something other than a dumb-ass sports player?” Raider snarls at his parental pack.

I wince. Well, this is going downhill quickly.

I wonder where all their packs are. The combination of scents is overwhelming.

“I never said you were dumb!” Charles snaps.

“You acted like it!”

“This is ridiculous. Why are you throwing this teenage rebellion in your thirties?” Charles roars back. “Grow up!”

“I’m twenty-eight, don’t you even know how old I am? Kelly was the smart one, the one you doted on. So now you’re replacing him? Are we all just that expendable?”

“Raider, no, that’s not what-” Ryn tries to calm him, but he’s not listening.

I swing into action, throwing a vicious kick at his leg. It takes him down, and I’m on him in a second. His eyes blaze, and he launches up, only to have me wrapped around him.

I stare him in the eyes and brush his hair behind his ears. He stills instantly.

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