Page 121 of Luna: Posy 2

"Well, luna," said the tattooed man, "what a lovely first impression you must have of your new family."

The boys snickered as the man grinned.

"Hello. My name is Nathan Barlow. This guy's father." He slung an arm around Cole's neck and pulled him into a noogie, Cole's head nearly hidden in his beefy arms. "But I consider all of the boys my sons. You can call me Dad."

"I'm Posy. Posy Briggs. Nice to meet you." I knotted my fingers together behind my back and didn't meet his eyes.

Dad didn't seem anything like Mason's father, thank the Goddess, but I wasn't taking any chances after what just happened. I kept my gaze firmly on the grass.

Cole escaped his dad and came over to wrap his big arms around my shoulders and hold me close against him. Still shaking a little bit, I happily snuggled into his comforting embrace.

"Honey, are you okay?"

"Did I cause that?" I asked into his sternum. "Was that my fault?"

"No, Posy. That was long overdue, and Mase didn't go nearly as hard as I'd feared. I thought we'd be picking pieces of Papa out of the trees."

"That would hurt Mama, and Mase loves her too much for that," Dad disagreed. "She's why he held back all these years, you know."

The boys chatted for a bit with Dad, but I didn't bring my face out of Cole's shirt. Finally, Mr. Price started to stir and Dad sighed.

"All right. I think I better get Papa off your lawn before Mase gets back." He slung Mr. Price up in a fireman's carry, then walked to his car and settled him in the backseat. "I'll see you all on Wednesday for Per's birthday. Come over anytime after five."

The boys called out their goodbyes and Dad started his car, which was loud and rumbly and made me jump.

Cole laughed softly as he swung me up in his arms.

"I could use a snack before bed," he said. "How about you? Want some ice cream?"

I nodded and hid my face in his throat as he carried me into our house.

#

Mason

The next morning, my brothers and I had a ton of work to catch up on and a dozen places to go. We were going to Rock-Paper-Scissors who got to work out of the home office when Matthew linked me that I had a nine a.m. appointment.

I linked him back to reschedule it, but he replied that the person said it was "urgent and dire," so I gave in, albeit with a scowl.

Informing my brothers of that fact restored my good humor, and I accepted their dark scowls and middle fingers with a smirk. I was elated to stay home with our girl, who had assigned herself laundry detail for the day.

We'd protested, telling her we could do our own, but she pointed out that she would be doing hers, and it wouldn't make much difference to do a few loads of our travel clothes.

"Besides, it will give me a job and make me feel useful while you're working."

How could we argue with that? My brothers and I - even block-headed Wyatt - understood she wanted a purpose, wanted to feel like she was contributing, even though we all longed to spoil her rotten.

So we gave her hugs and kisses and left her in the laundry room after breakfast.

I sorted some things out in the home office while I waited for my appointment. According to the calendar on the desk, it was the only one of the day, and I wanted to get it over with so I could clear away the paperwork that had accrued in our absence.

Goddess knew there was enough of it on a regular day. Let it collect for three or four days, and it quickly became overwhelming, especially when certain people -ahem, Ash- tried to hide it in drawers rather than take care of it.

I was working away whenhisscent drifted into the room and three sharp knocks at the door soon followed.

Oh, no. What does he want?Garnet groaned.Did he not understand a word you said yesterday?

We'll play nice until he doesn't.

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