Page 41 of Sinful Promise
“I fell over and cut myself.” While Minka wraps, and gashes on Micah’s cheek glisten in the early morning light, he drags his eyes open and smiles. But even a blind man could see the ache in his stare. “Has your dad ever told you not to run with scissors?”
Warily, Mia looks him up and down and nods.
“Well…” He forces a tender smile, only for it to turn to a grimace when Minka moves his hand a little too quickly. Too painfully. “This is what happens when you run with scissors. This is why you should always listen to your dad.”
Gently prying my hand loose, Mia works to be put down. I hesitate for a beat, and worry for another. But she’s safe here. I know she is. It just takes me a moment, after sixteen years away from my family, to be okay with their presence in my life again.
I set her on her little feet and watch closely as she wanders to Minka’s left.
Micah’s legs are spread wide, bracketing Minka’s body between them. So Mia stops on the outside and, without thinking, rests her elbow on his knee so she can lean closer and watch. “Are you ‘lated to Uncle Archer?” She tilts her head to the side and studies his eyes. “You look kinda the same.”
“Mm.” Drawing a deep breath until his chest grows, Micah exhales again and nods. “Uncle Archer is my little brother. Who are you?”
“I’m Mia Fletcher.” Proud, she stands taller and grins. “I turn four next month. And my mommy is coming home soon! We’re gonna have a party for her.”
“That’s enough.” Sweeping in on fast feet, Fletch scoops Mia away and plops the girl on his hip before looking my way. “Malones moving to Copeland, or…?”
“No.” And because our day has officially started, whether we like it or not, I head to the kitchen and start the coffee machine. “Cato felt the need for special medical attention—all the way across the country,” I drawl. Hitting the button, I slip a mug beneath the spout and watch as steam billows from the top. “Micah’s not being a very good patient, so here they are.” Then I look across the room and catch Cato’s glare. “But they’re leaving again soon.”
“Are you taking time off?” Fletch asks. “Because I don’t know if you recall, but we have a crime to solve. Two of ‘em,” he adds for extra emphasis.
“What cases?” Micah asks.
“None of your business.”
The moment coffee stops pouring and the machine beeps at me to let me know it’s done, I switch out for a new mug, then take the first to Minka as she finishes wrapping my brother’s hand.
I take hers in mine and bring her to her feet. Finally, I offer her the coffee and a soft kiss on the lips. “You want first shower?”
“Absolutely.” She takes the mug and brings it to her lips, despite the boiling liquid that’ll burn as it goes down. “I need a timeout. From this,” she glances down at Micah. Then to Cato. “And that.”
“No need to call me athat,” my youngest brother grumbles. “I’m a human being with real feelings.”
“You’re a thorn in my side.” But she flashes a pleasant smile and heads into the hallway. “I’ll be out in a bit. If my living room happens to be empty by the time I get back, I wouldn’t be sad.”
“Where’s Chloe?” Mia twists in Fletch’s arms and searches the room. “Uncle Archer?”
“She’s probably still asleep.” I take her from her father’s arms and set her on her feet. Then I pat her butt and send her into the hall. “Check Uncle Arch’s bed, Moo. But be careful with her. Cats don’t like to be woken up.”
Finally, when the bathroom door shuts, and a second later, the lock snicks—and after that, toddler feet move from the hallway—I bring my gaze back to Micah and scowl. “I’m not telling you about my cases. You’re not staying in my apartment, and I have to go to work.Soon. So I suggest you find alternate accommodations.”
“Felix has New York under control.” Laying his head back, he closes his eyes and concentrates on his breathing. He’s in pain, of that, I’m certain. But that doesn’t make him a harmless man. “He said to tell you hey.”
“Felix can pick up a phone and speak to my voicemail, just like everyone else. Why are you here?”
Frowning, Cato looks across and burns the side of my face with a glare. “For Doctor Cutie Pie. We already said.”
“And it’s already been pointed out to you, several times, that there are doctors in every state, city, and town across this country. Why’d you comehere?” I look to him again. “What are you searching for?”
“Nothing.” He cradles his hand in his lap and takes a deep, heady breath, while the sound of the shower carries along the hall. “A man is allowed to visit his brother.”
“Mm.”Bullshit.“Well, until you decide to tell me the whole fucking truth, you’ll be treated as a liar, a sneak, and an intruder in my home.”
Pushing away from the group, I head back to the kitchen and snatch up my coffee. Because my morning almost started with sex, and now here I amwithoutan orgasm,notin the shower with my wife, and though they’re my brothers, I have to acknowledge I may have enemies in my home.
“Why’d you swing by here?” I ask Fletch instead. “With Moo.”
“Penny’s not starting till nine today, so I told Mia we’d get breakfast with Uncle Arch and Aunty Minka.” He leaves the others by the couch and strolls my way. Gritting his teeth, he adds, “What the fuck have I walked into?”
