Page 2 of Miles

He looked up at Jace, smiling wryly.

“I’m fine,” he lied.

A huff had them both looking at the man still standing by the door, his tattooed arms crossed over his chest. He raised a brow at Kaz, then glanced at his husband. Something flashed through his blue eyes as they roamed over Jace. Something Kaz saw often enough to recognize in an instant.

“Fucking hell,” he mumbled under his breath.

Ares stalked toward Jace who turned, leaning back against the railing, head tilted to the side as he narrowed his eyes.

“You want to get him off the railing and back inside?” Ares said, hands grasping Jace’s hips to jerk him against his bigger body. “I know just the way.”

“Ares,” Jace complained, though his next words were cut off by Ares’ mouth on his.

Kaz swung his legs over the railing and jumped down onto the balcony floor, taking off toward the door, and rolled his eyes only because he knew Ares couldn’t see it.

He was reaching for the handle when Ares spoke again.

“Kaz?”

He didn’t look back, knowing he’d likely have to bleach his eyes at the sight of those two with their hands all over each other.

“Tell them they can enjoy the rest of their night by polishing all the bikes.”

Kaz was smirking as he stepped through the door and into the hallway. He was going to do exactly that and then he was going to make sure all his hard work was worth the colors on his back.

CHAPTER TWO

Miles

HIS FIRST year in college had both kicked his ass and made him grow in unexpected ways. He’d learned a lot. Mostly about himself, but also about other people. Trust didn’t come easily to him. Not surprising considering… no, he wouldn’t think about that. Not now.

He was on his way home for spring break, sitting next to his dad in the car. He wouldn’t bring the mood down, not when his dad was so happy to see him. Both his fathers had hated it when he’d gone off to college in the summer. They wanted him to have the experience and the education, but they were also like two mother hens, unable to let their chicks out of their sight without worrying themselves into an early grave.

At this point, he wasn’t even sure who was the worst. Dad fussed over him like no other, while Pop watched him like a hawk. He wouldn’t be surprised if there were trackers in his clothes and phone. Pop would never admit to it. Certainly not to Dad because the man would not only laugh his ass off but hold it against him every time they argued. Not that it happened often.

They never argued in front of him and his sister. He knewwhy. Knew they tried to never raise their voices at them. They’d done everything to make them feel safe, even though he’d known very well by the time they met that no one was ever truly safe.

His mother had been a witness in some big case, and when she and his dad had been murdered to keep her from testifying, he and his sister had become witnesses, too. The cops had been utterly useless, but fortunately, a friend of their family had a contact that got them out before their parents’ murderer could return for them. Well, at least for a while. Despite the Salvation Kings sending them halfway across the country, that bastard still found them.

The people keeping them safe had killed him before he could get to them, but it had still shattered whatever veil of safety they’d been under. Emma had cried so much after that. His own tears had dried up at that point, so he’d resorted to screaming until he had no voice left to scream with.

They’d been sent back to the one man they’d felt safe with since their world was turned upside down, and when Zayne and his boyfriend asked them if they wanted to stay with them forever, the answer had been a resounding, ‘Yes.’

Zayne and Nash had loved them from the moment they met, and Emma had loved them just as fast. He’d taken a little longer himself, choosing to stay because they made Emma smile and feel safe.

Dad and Pop had been there for him through every single nightmare and screaming match. They’d loved him despite how hard he’d tried to push them away. He’d always beeternally grateful for their resilience.

He was much less grateful for their meddling and decision-making, especially at this moment.

He shot his dad a disbelieving look and said, “You can’t be serious.”

Dad’s lips twitched, and he groaned before the man even spoke.

“It’s one party and then you can go back to being a sullen teenager at home.”

“One party,” he drawled.

“Just… give it a chance.”

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