Page 7 of For the Promise

“Fine but no one better drink during this lunch and I will be returning to work within an hour.”

“Sure, you will.” Zane winks.

We pile into Eli’s SUV. Unfortunately, it easily fits all six of us despite how tall we each are. We need the room to spread out.

“You know,” Miles says as we drive toward Smuggler’s Rest – the biggest town on Smuggler’s Hideaway. “I feel a prank war coming on.”

I fist my hand before I yank the door open to escape. Jumping out of the vehicle while Eli is driving – no matter how slow he’s driving since it’s summer and the island is full of tourists – is dangerous.

My brothers are the bane of my existence. I don’t have time for a stupid prank war. The expansion of the distillery is no joke. Especially since Kai, who is supposed to be the operations manager and therefore handle the bulk of the expansion, thinks working is a construct developed by ‘the man’ to put him down.

I put on a sigh. “I guess I can postpone the development of the holiday whiskey and concentrate on a prank war with my brothers instead.”

“Whoa!” Zane holds up his hands. “You can’t postpone the development of the holiday whiskey. You promised to have it ready by Christmas. I’ve already purchased the magazine placements.”

“I can’t do everything. I’m only one man.”

“Damn,” Miles mutters. “No prank war.”

We arrive atSmuggler’s Covefor lunch and I follow my brothers toward the restaurant. Eli captures my wrist to stop me.

“When did you become this devious?”

“Maybe I’ve always been this devious.”

Being devious is a requirement in the Raider household if you’re a nerd who wants his quiet time to study. Miles, Zane, and Kai went wild after Dad left and there was no longer an adult male in the house to control them.

I had no interest in chasing girls or pulling pranks in school. I knew with Dad gone, I had to get good grades in order to qualify for a scholarship if I wanted to go to college. And I was determined to attend college.

Thus, devious.

Chapter 3

“There’s no reason to be a jerk.” ~ Blossom

Blossom

“I’m sorry, Paisley.”

My boss frowns at the ruined brewing facilities ofFive Fathoms Brewing.The result of a hurricane hitting Smuggler’s Hideaway. For the most part, the buildings on the island were untouched.

Except for the brewing facilities. Although the restaurant ofFive Fathomscan be salvaged, the brewing facilities, which are housed in a separate building across the parking lot, are ruined.

As the brewmaster, Paisley is understandably upset. This is a big setback for the growing business. Especially after they just landed a deal with theGourmet Cornergrocery chain to supply their stores across the entire US with beer.

Paisley blows out a breath. “It is what it is.”

I nudge her. “You don’t have to be stoic with me. I get it.”

I’m Paisley’s assistant. She has her four friends with whom she founded the brewery and has been best friends with since they were in school, causing trouble. But I’m the one whoworks closely with her every day. I’m the one who sees how much she loves this business of brewing beer.

I get it. I love it, too. I moved to this tiny island to work with her. And, also, to flee my past but now is not the time for my past to rear its ugly head.

“At least we can continue to brew beer since Eli offered you space in his distillery.”

She scowls. “He offered the space to the brewery.”

I bite my tongue before I laugh at her response. Eli doesn’t give a shit about the brewery, but he does care about one very stubborn redhead who brews the beer.

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