Page 57 of Bragg's Christmas

I smack him upside the head. “You will not disrespect Love Hill.”

Brody sticks out his bottom lip in a pout. “Daddy’s mad.”

“Love Hill is a good person. You have no idea what she’s gone through.”

“What she’s gone through?” Peace asks. “Do you mean the ninth-grade incident?”

I can feel my nostrils flare as I glare at him. “Don’t you dare start. You went to school with her. You should have protected her.”

Miller pushes his way between me and Peace. “What are you talking about? What happened in the ninth grade?”

“I don’t know,” Peace claims.

I snap my teeth at him. “Don’t know my ass. In this small town where everyone knows everyone’s business?”

Peace raises his hands and retreats. “I was a sophomore when Love Hill was a freshman. I was too busy trying to make the varsity football team to pay any attention to freshmen. I seriously don’t know what happened to Love Hill.” He clears his throat. “I do know the principal is working on new policies for the entire school since Skye got in trouble.”

“Skye got in trouble? Who do we need to beat up?” Brody lifts his fists and begins to shadowbox.

Riley slaps his twin’s shoulder. “We’re not beating up anyone. Violence isn’t the answer.”

“Dude, I’m about to be a father. Violence is definitely the answer if someone’s bullying my niece.”

“It’s taken care of.” I smirk. “Skye slapped the little girl.”

Brody grins. “Go, Skye!”

Peace clears his throat. “Violence is not allowed in Winter Falls.”

I growl at him. “No.”

“No what?”

“No, I will not sit here and listen to you advocate love and peace and holding hands and singing Kumbaya.”

“First of all, you aren’t sitting.”

I ignore his sarcasm.

“When a little girl tells my daughter her mother doesn’t love her, Skye can react however she deems appropriate.”

“Motherfucker,” Miller grumbles.

“Because you know damn well and good it wasn’t Meadow who thought Skye’s mom doesn’t love her. Her parents told her.”

Peace drags a hand down his face. “Shit. What were her parents thinking?”

“They were thinking Winter Falls is non-violent and their daughter can say whatever she wants without repercussion.” I smirk. “They’re wrong.”

Peace groans. “I am not feeling much excitement for this part of parenting.”

“Is Olivia pregnant?”

“Crap.” Peace scans the room. “You can’t tell your wives or girlfriends or fiancées or nannies.”

Riley grins. “It’s cute you think they don’t already know.”

“Does everyone know?” he asks.

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