Page 61 of Beautiful Revenge

“Hey, she’s my mother. I may be tough, but I am under no illusions. I’m fully aware she could still whoop my ass for being disrespectful,” he says, defending himself.

“You bet your butt I could,” Mom declares. “You know I missed you boys, too.” She smiles.

“We know, Mom. How has retirement been?” I ask, looking between her and Dad.

Before he can answer, the server comes back to take our orders. The pure shock on their face when Brie insisted on two large stacks of pancakes with chocolate chips and extra syrup is almost comical.

Once they’re gone, Dad sighs. “Boring. That’s how it’s going,” he grumbles.

“Aww. You guys should go on a trip!” Briar states.

“Actually, that’s why we’re in the city to see you.” Mom’s voice is filled with excitement.

“We’re going on a cruise. We actually leave this afternoon,” Dad says, throwing us all for a loop.

“A cruise?” I ask, not sure I heard them right. “Leaving today.”

“Yes! It was a last-minute booking, but we’re looking forward to it.” Damn. I haven’t seen Mom this excited since Briar graduated from university.

It was a moment we were all proud of. With everything she had been through and the homeschooling she’d had, she was terrified no school would ever accept her. She shouldn’t have worried, though. She’s brilliant.

I open my mouth to say something more, but Briar reaches under the table and squeezes my thigh to the point of pain, and I have to hold back a wince.

“Where are you going?” she asks cheerfully, never letting up on my thigh.

When Devon goes to say something, I punch him in the leg, shaking my head slightly when he looks at me. If Briar is silently telling me to chill with the overprotective paranoia, he can do the same.

Besides, we have someone to kill tonight, anyway. We have enough to focus on without being worried about our parents’ safety. It’s not like they’ve never travelled. But they’re Mom and Dad. We worry.

“Bali.” Dad smiles down at Mom. “Your mother has always wanted to go, and truthfully, I think I might go insane if I don’t get out of the house,” he states. “Retirement is not all it’s cracked up to be.”

Briar smiles at them as our food is delivered, and instantly picks up her fork. “Well, I’m glad you’re going on a vacation for you guys.” She gets a sad look. “I feel like you haven’t done anything for yourselves since you took me in.”

“Briar,” Dad growls. “You’re family, and we wanted you to feel safe and secure.” He gives her a serious look.

“I know. I love you both. I’m so lucky to have found all of you.” She bats away a lone tear before picking up the knife in her other hand.

“We love you, sweetheart. You’re just as much our baby as these two Neanderthals.” Mom waves to us, and I frown.

For a split second, I wonder why she said it like that until she shakes her head at Devon.

“Dude. Really?” I ask in disbelief as he shovels a huge mouthful of his western omelette sandwich into his mouth.

He shrugs. “I’m hungry.”

“Right.” Dad shakes his head and smiles. “Let’s eat.”

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