Page 73 of Shattered Union

"Of course," she drawls sarcastically. "One of these days, Stephen, you'll admit it. I'm the best sister in the world."

Sister? What the fuck? How the hell is that even possible?

"Jesus, Callie. You've finally settled the beast. You don't need him going toe to toe with Stephen over who the best brother is." Ava giggles.

"There's only one winner," Freddie comments, grinning at Stephen.

"What are you even doing here?" Mav grunts at the thief. "I thought she told you to get lost?"

Callie nods. "I did. In fact, I've told him time and time again. Yet, he doesn't seem to get the message."

"Hey, Mama O'Hara said this is my home just as much as yours," he whines.

I'm utterly confused by the dynamics of the five people in this kitchen. Maverick and Stephen, I get. They both work for Jerry, but it appears Callie is closer to the psychopath than her brother.

"Are we early?" Chloe asks me, and her words catch everyone's attention.

"No," Callie replies sweetly. "Not at all. Are you hungry?"

Chloe shakes her head. "No, thank you."

Callie turns her gaze to me and I see the lust in those fucking gorgeous eyes of hers.

"I could eat," I tell her with a smile.

"We're just leaving anyway," Ava says as she gets to her feet. "We tend to annoy Callie as much as possible."

"What she means is, I'm the only one that can cook."

Ava shrugs. "Well, that too."

The men get to their feet. Stephen moves toward Callie. "You working tonight?" he asks her and she nods. "I'll see you later then." He places a kiss against her head before turning and glaring at me.

What the fuck is wrong with these bastards, not one of them has any respect.

"Bye, be safe!" Callie calls out as they all leave.

"Love you," Ava yells back.

Once the door closes, Callie sighs. "I'm sorry about that. My family is kinda crazy at the best of times."

Chloe giggles. "You should come to ours. It's a madhouse."

Callie shakes her head, a bright smile on her face. "Take a seat," she instructs me. "Chloe, darling, you can go on into the living room, the TV's on, watch what you want."

Chloe glances at me, and I give her a nod. "I'll bring Mary and Gareth with me. Is Michael staying?"

Callie's lips twitch. "He can if he wants."

"No peanut, he's already gone," I tell her, and Chloe beams at me as she reaches for her brother and takes her sister by the hand.

As soon as they're out of sight, I pull Callie into my arms. "Fuck, I've missed you."

She sinks against me, her breath hot against my neck. "I've missed you too," she confesses.

Relief washes through me. That's all I wanted to hear.

My hands slide down her body, stopping at the globes of her arse. I pull her flush against me. Loving how perfectly she fits in my arms.

---