Page 230 of Fearless

And not just any kind of voices, light, joyful voices. The sound of it lifts the last bit of weight I didn’t realize I was still carrying.

The second we step into the kitchen, all conversation halts and all eyes turn on us.

Reid’s grip on my hand tightens. I’ve no idea if he’s asking for help or warning me about what’s to come. It really could be either.

“Well, well, well, look who finally decided to show their faces,” JD taunts while Devin, Ezra and Ellis all jump from their seats and rugby tackle Reid, forcing him to release me.

“Err… how much have they had?” I ask, watching the pile of Harrises roll around on the floor.

“Enough.” Griff laughs, watching his nephews with love spilling from his eyes. “They’re happy.”

“Ding dong, the cunt is dead,” Devin bellows at the top of his lungs.

“Shush, sleeping child upstairs,” Reid chastises, managing to drag himself from the pile-up.

“Coffee or are you hitting the whiskey like those morons?” Griff asks, still eyeing the morons with amusement.

“Coffee would be great, thank you,” I answer for both of us.

“Nah, man. You need one,” JD argues. “I know you’ve been celebrating, but it was a team effort, remember?”

“Oh, I remember,” Reid taunts. “Tag team if I’m not?—”

“Reid,” I hiss, cutting him off. As delighted as I am to hear the lightness in his voice, Griff really doesn’t need any kind of details.

“It’s fine, girly.” Griff smirks. “I’ve lived this life long enough. If I haven’t done it, then I promise you I’ve seen it.”

“Coolest uncle ever,” Ezra announces before dropping back into his seat, followed by Ellis. Although he looks a little less jubilant. I understand when he reaches for a bottle of water on the table. It seems even overthrowing their father hasn’t brought out the partying side to Ellis. “Line them up, J,” he orders.

“Wait, I have a special bottle for this,” Reid says, marching into the kitchen and reaching for a top cupboard.

“Oh shit, that’s some liquid gold right there,” Griff says, his eyes locked on the bottle.

Reid opens the bottle and passes it to JD, who pours a series of shots. Him, Mav, Reid, Devin, and Ezra all reach for one.

“To our motherfucking epic big brother,” Ezra shouts. “May Reid Harris's reign be long, happy, and full of fucking epicness.”

Reid shakes his head, but he doesn’t argue as he throws his whiskey back, swallowing it down in one go.

“Fuck, success tastes good,” he says after savoring the flavor.

“Alana,” Devin says once Griff has handed out coffees. “Has our boy given you a rundown of events?”

“Uh…”

“It was fucking epic,” Ezra continues. “You should have seen the size of our army. Victor never stood a chance.” He smiles so wide, pride for his big brother oozing from his every pour.

My eyes lock on Reid’s as Devin and Ezra embark on the story of how they defeated the mighty Hawks leader. I hear some of it, but mostly, I’m lost in the lightness of Reid’s eyes.

“And then all five of them raised their guns. Girl, you should have seen it.”

“W-wait, five of them?” I ask, giving them a double take.

“Yep, all fucking five of us.”

My lips part to say something, but any words are quickly cut off by pounding little feet and a squeal of, “Uncle Ezwa.”

Daisy blows into the room like a hurricane and jumps into Ezra’s awaiting arms.

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