He continued, “They’re known as tight-knit. Mostly a family group. Gramps and Bonnie hooked up later in their lives, but still, they’ve been together probably twenty years. Bonbon is nuts, so stay away from her if you can. She’s Bonnie’s daughter, and rumor is that she’s obsessed with Shetland. You’re staying away from Shetland, right?”

“As much as I can.” He and I hadn’t discussed any of them, not to this length, at least.

The door opened again, and Cross came out. Blaise was behind him, a cocky smirk on his face, as usual.

Cross frowned at the phone, but placed my drink in front of me, taking the seat next to me. Blaise pulled out the chair on the far side, sitting down and immediately lounging back, throwing one arm over the back corner of his chair.

I noticed he didn’t have a drink, and there was a restless edge to him. He was staring at the phone, too.

‘Taking stock.’ That’s what Cross said his brother did, and I was seeing it now. The cocky smirk was a mask, but there was a serious air to him. His eyes flashed to mine, and for a second, he looked like he knew he was caught. Then his smirk came on full force and he didn’t move. He didn’t say a word, but I sensed him transforming. He was pulling back, the mask being pulled more firm, more set, and then it was only mask.

Huh.

“—they’re a family-type unit, but I’ll call Gramps. I need to come up, meet Brock face to face. He’s their leader. They can step in if we need it.” A beat passes. “Bren? You still there?”

“Yeah. Cross and his brother joined a minute ago.”

Another beat of silence, this one more pregnant. “Okay. I’ll call once I know more. Love you.”

“Love you.” I reached forward. Channing ended the call, but I tucked my phone into my pocket and lifted my chin toward Blaise. “Thought you left?”

“I did. Took Aspen home. Now I’m back.” He made a show of looking around. “It’s just the two of you?”

Cross narrowed his eyes, watching his brother with me.

Blaise’s gaze skirted between us before glancing to the driveway. “I’m noting a certain someone’s truck is gone.”

Cross and I shared a look.

Blaise was here for a reason.

Cross indicated him with his glass. “I wasn’t lying when I said I’d call you when we went to get Harper.”

“Bullshit.” It came out low and smooth, and Blaise didn’t lose an inch of his smirk. But he was calling his brother out.