Page 171 of The Archer Brothers

Here With Us

The Archer Brothers #3

CHAPTER1

EVAN

As soon as I pull up to the curb, Ryley rushes out of the car and up the stairs of the two-story home she’s had her eye on for months. Denying her would’ve been selfish. When she started hinting that she wanted to move back to California, I knew it was because of Lois, Penny, and her mom. When we moved to Washington, it was to get away, to hide from what was going on. I needed to protect Ryley and EJ and monitor Brigadier General Harold Chesley. However, with Ted Lawson and his father, Admiral Jonah Ingram, behind bars and Frannie dead, being away from our family didn’t seem to make sense anymore.

The truth is, even though my relationship with my mom is strained, it isn’t with my sister, and I’d like to spend more time with both of them, we well as my brother, Nate. We still have a lot of rebuilding to do, as far as our relationship goes, but we’re getting there. I know deep down he did what I asked. I guess I never thought he’d take it as far as he did. Since our lives have calmed down, I’ve seen a therapist to deal with my issues. It was my choice because I needed someone impartial to listen to me about Nate and Ryley’s relationship. There are times when I can’t stop thinking about them being together. I know I was presumed dead, but I feel like he took my request to watch after Ryley to the extreme. I never meant for my brother to take over my life, especially where my son is concerned. I’m still waiting for EJ to call me dad, and at this point, I’m starting to think it’ll never happen. That right there increases the anger I still have for Nate.

EJ and I merge from the truck and head toward the back of the trailer. He walks next to me with his matching work boots on. When we sat him down to tell him we were moving back, he was more than excited, even though he had already made some friends in Washington. Living here means he’s with his grandfather, which I know Jensen will love. Honestly, being near the Clarkes will be better for all of us.

Also, being back here means Ryley will be closer to her bridesmaids, making our upcoming wedding easier for her to finish planning. I’m told I need to show up when I need to be in places, smile when the camera is facing my way, and find my way to SEAL beach the day of our wedding. As if I wouldn’t be there. I’ve been waiting to marry Ryley for as long as I can remember.

EJ holds Deefur by his leash and stands back while I lower the gate on the pull-behind trailer. A moving company is bringing our big stuff in a few days, but Ryley didn’t want to stay in a hotel or at her parents' until they arrived, so we packed our essentials and towed them behind us.

“We have a lot of stuff,” EJ says as he climbs up the ramp.

I stand behind him with my hands on my hips and sigh. I thought about asking McCoy and Rask to come by and help but didn’t want to bother them on their weekends. McCoy is busy being a father and husband, not to mention training would be SEALs, and Rask went back to active duty, which surprised me, although he has nothing else but the Navy. His parents still haven’t come around, and as far as I know, he’s given up on trying to convince them. Can’t say I blame him.

“Can I help?” EJ asks as I start pulling boxes out.

“Yeah. Why don’t you take Deefur and put him in the backyard?” I motion toward the house, and EJ nods. He takes off running with Deefur trotting along right beside him. Ryley’s still in the house, and I have a feeling she’s making her way through each room, posting sticky notes where she wants everything to go.

I survey our new neighborhood, trying to see who is peering out their windows right now. I hate thinking everyone has an ulterior motive where my family and I are concerned, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that people are watching. This area is full of military families. It wasn’t what I wanted, but Ryley fell in love with this house, and I can’t deny her anything. Ryley has given up so much. I just want her to be happy.

A line of cars pulling onto our street grabs my attention. They’re going too slow for the speed limit. My hand instantly goes to the piece I have in my waistband. I know I’m being over the top, but once you go through the shit I have, you can’t be too cautious. Frannie may be dead and Lawson behind bars, but I’m not convinced every player in the massive cover-up has been caught.

The lead car slows as it nears me, and the grip on the metal handle tightens, and I start to pull the gun out as the somewhat tinted window rolls down. “What’s up, asshole?” Tucker McCoy leans out of the window, laughing and smiling as his car passes by. The truck behind him is Justin “Rask” Raskin with my sister in the last vehicle.

My hand finally relaxes once everyone is out of their cars. The screeching of Ryley turns my attention toward the house where she’s running down the stairs toward Penny. They meet halfway and crash into each other in a fierce hug, and then head into the house without a backward glance. My reservations about moving back here quell when I see how happy Ryley is.

“You missed me so much you had to move back?” Tucker McCoy slaps me on my shoulder. I finally release my grip and bro-hug McCoy. He knows why we are back. It’s not only because of him and his family but also the Clarkes, my sister, Rask, and Raymond “River” Riveria. River’s around, but things haven’t been the same since we rescued Penny. Unfortunately, River fatally shot Frannie, and I don’t care how much damage someone does to you. Shooting your wife has an effect on you that is hard to shake.

“I couldn’t live without your charming good looks.” We both laugh until he steps aside for Rask.

“About damn time. I need more family down here,” he says. His words hit me square in the chest. I’ve often thought about visiting his parents but realize they won’t listen. Their son died as far as they’re concerned, and Rask is an impersonator. Hence one of the reasons I fear there are more players out there trying to bring us down.

“Well, thank Ryley. Moving back was her idea. I’m just along for the ride.”

The guys make room for my sister, Livvie. She hugs me tightly and whispers into my ear, “Thank you for coming back. I’ve missed you, EJ, and Ryley.”

“You’re welcome, Tink.” I kiss her on her cheek, and when she pulls away, she hides her tears.

“Aunt Tink,” EJ yells, getting all of our attention. He rushes down the steps and launches into her arms. Livvie catches him flawlessly and twirls him around in the air. Seeing them together is another reason why moving back was the right decision. EJ needs his family. When I came back, I uprooted him from the life he was accustomed to, thinking I was doing the right thing. I’m not sure if either decision to move to Washington or return to California is what’s best, but I want him to grow up surrounded by people who love him. EJ needs to be a boy, a kid who runs around and plays, gets dirty in the mud, and rides his bike until the sun goes down. He shouldn’t have to worry about who could be lurking in the shadows. That’s my job.

“Not that I want to break up this happy reunion, but these boxes won’t haul themselves into the house.” I point to the small stack I already pulled out and to the trailer. McCoy and Rask each grab a box or two. “Ryley will tell you where they go. She has a system.”

Ryley’s system of packing and unpacking the boxes is unique. Instead of labeling the boxes by room, she numbered them, and if I know her, everything is corresponding inside the house. She swears this will help us unpack effectively.

“I’ll take this one,” EJ says as he squats to lift a box. I watch, waiting to see if he’s going to struggle with the weight, but he seems to lift it like a champ. But I’m still cautious, so I follow him inside with Livvie right behind me.

“It’s good that you’re back.”

“I know,” I tell her. “Things will be different.”

Her heavy intake of breath doesn’t do anything to calm my nerves. There’s tension between her and our mother. They live in a house divided. Livvie is on my side while our mom favors Nate and still feels he should be with Ryley. Never mind that Nate and Cara have been together for a while now, and to my knowledge, Nate hasn’t made any unexpected trips to see Ryley. When he does come visit, Cara is there. Why my mother can’t seem to grasp her sons are with the women they’re meant to be with boggles my mind. However, I do know she’s not shy about sharing her distaste with Livvie, which puts her in an awkward position.

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