Page 92 of Partnering with the Artist

Lukas flings glass shards from his hand before Viktor sighs and grabs his younger brother’s wrist. “Let’s get you cleaned up in the bathroom. Kaleb, you’re in charge.”

Kaleb lifts his brows. “We’re all adults, Viktor. No one needs to bein charge.”

Viktor provides Kyran—still on his phone—and Zakery—who flashes his teeth in a not-at-all comforting smile—a look, then repeats, “You’re in charge.”

“Do you think they’ll throw him out back?” Lukas asks as Viktor drags him past me. His eyes spark. “Do you think if I go wait at the door, I’ll still be able to break his legs?”

“You’re not going to break that poor idiot’s legs,” Viktor mutters.

“But—”

“No.”

If I need anyone’s legs broken, ask Lukas…got it.

Kaleb glances at me, then at theaccident. Smiling gently, he says, “Why don’t we relocate?”

Kyran strides forward first, swiping his thumb across his phone screen. “This is why you’re in charge.”

Once we’ve moved securely away from the mess, I let a full breath into my lungs.

“You okay?” Zakery asks.

I scan Kyran as he falls against a clear slice of wall near us and continues playing snake.io, then I nod.

“How’s the character?”

I wet my lips. “Developed…”

“For better?”

“I…” I take another breath. “I hope so.”

“Kyran!”

My stomach dips asMoonWoofskips out of nowhere, wearing her iconic set of rainbow-plumed ears and a flouncy dress with a tail to match.

Kyran flicks his gaze toward her, then back down. “Hey, Moon.”

“I didn’t think these things were your speed.”

Kyran lifts a shoulder. “My sister needed the manpower.”

Sister.

My heart flutters.

Lip jutting, MoonWoof tilts her head. “Didn’t realize you had a sister, just the three brothers.”

“Well.” Kyran doesn’t pay Kaleb—hisfourthbrother—an ounce of recognition. “Fun the things we can learn, huh?”

“Totally. Hey, speaking about relationships…have you seen an absolutely bonkers little man scrabbling around down here? We were on the balcony, watching the little cliques form, when he cussed and ran off like he’d seen a squirrel.”

“Security dragged him out,” Kyran informs, grimacing. “Why are you hanging around with a guy like that?”

“He’s so stupid it’s funny.”

Zakery coughs, covering his mouth.

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