Page 128 of The Long Game

“Oh!” Jack said, like he’d been pleasantly surprised. “He’s your son now? Where the fuck have you been the last fourteen years?”

Grady’s father glared at Jack. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“No, you’re just full of shit. You come in here and expect your family members—even the ones you disowned—to do as you say. Around here, that’s not how family works.”

“You don’t know a damn thing about family,” Grady’s father snarled.

Jack shook his head. “You know, I used to think that. Literally, a month ago I would have agreed with you. I thought my mother and I barely understood the meaning of the word. But I was wrong. For all that we argue and she’s a royal pain in my butt, she’s always,alwayshad my back.”

When most of the room glanced in her direction, Margaret Chevalier gave a Gallic shrug. “I’m cranky.”

Jack’s cheek twitched, and Grady knew he was trying not to smile.

Brock David scoffed. “What does this have to do with anything?”

“Everything,” Jack said, gesturing at the people around them. “Because family loves you no matter what. They have each other’s backs. Look around you, if you don’t believe me. These people aren’t going to let you come in here and hurt our family. They’ll fight as hard as we will to see these children are safe and cared for, not just because that’s the right thing to do, but because they’re our family, too.”

“You keep sayingweandour. You have no relation to these children, to Grady Samuel.” Brock David spit his brother’s name like it made him sick. “Why is this any of your business?”

“Because I love your brother,” he said simply. Devastatingly. “And that’s at the heart of many families. The root from whichthisfamily has grown.”

Grady’s father curled his lip in disgust while his brother turned almost burgundy with rage. His uncle and cousin sneered. But what did any of that matter when Garrick stood bouncing Jack’s goddaughter while Callum grinned at Jack and Jack’s mother looked at her son like she’d never been prouder.

And Jack lovedhim.Grady Samuel McDonnough.

A wholly ill-timed and uncontrollable laugh escaped Grady and then he was reaching for Jack. The moment their fingers brushed, Jack grabbed his tight. Only Grady could see how nervous he was.

He grinned at Jack. “I love you, too.”

He was prepared to expound on his feelings, because there were a lot of them, when movement behind their unwelcome visitors drew his eye.

Daphne Levigne slipped into the apartment and nodded to Rupert. The smart bastard hadn’t called the police—he’d calledthe lawyers.

Grady’s father, of course, didn’t pay any attention to a beautiful young woman wearing jeans and a t-shirt. He glared at Sam. “This is no place for children. Rebecca, go wait out front. You can fly home with Brock David tomorrow. We will get you help.”

Travis gripped Sam’s shoulder supportively, but Sam didn’t look like he needed it. “My name is Sam and I’m staying right here.”

“You will do as you’re told, girl.”

“For fuck’s sake,” Jack snapped. “He is an adult and will not be goinganywhereunless he wants to.”

“Which I don’t,” Sam said firmly.

Grady’s father changed tactics. “Colton Michael, you’re no adult. You’re coming with me. Your family wants you home.”

“Not on your fucking life,” Colton said, enunciating each word.

Grady’s father’s complexion turned a color that made Grady fear he was going to have a stroke, which would be about par for the course at this point.

“How dare you speak to Uncle Harrison that way?” Colton’s brother gasped, and it was all Grady could do not to roll his eyes. “Father will have your hide.”

“Father can kiss my ass,” Colton shot back.

And Grady loved this kid, he really did, but right now he wasnot helping.

“By god, Colton Michael, you will learn your place,” Grady’s father roared, charging forward.

Grady’s heart stopped when Jack jumped in front of Colton, bringing Grady’s father up short. Before his father could even threaten to do something catastrophically stupid, Daphne stepped between them.

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