He shrugs and walks to the elevator. “Put your shit away and find out.”

* * *

For the first time since leaving LA, I ride in the front seat of a car rather than the back of a van or Uber.

Colton drives us to a different part of Austin in the flashy little coupe he rented. Much more residential with the cozy neighborhood vibe. Kids even dart out of the street to let us through, kicking a soccer ball to the middle again once we pass.

When he pulls into a cul-de-sac, he parks in front of the gorgeous Mediterranean house nestled at the end. Shrubs line the walk, a balcony on each side, and it even has a turret. I climb out, already seeking out the details before shutting the door.

“And this is why you left the camera.” Colton steps on the curb and turns back, hands on his hips. “Can you drool over the arches on the inside at least? Maybe if you’re really good, I’ll let you foam at the mouth over the rooftop patio later.”

I toss him a look on our way up the drive. “I have a feeling I’ll like your brother more than you.”

He snorts. “Insulting, honestly. I’ll remember you said that.”

A metal gate leads to an outdoor entry. On one side sits a smaller structure, but I follow him through the double doors into the main house on the other side. We step into an airy kitchen, opening to the living room. A brunette glances over her shoulder from the couch and grins.

“My favorite of the brothers,” she says.

The elbow to my arm is not subtle, Colton nearly knocking me down.

She rounds the end of the couch with a smile, sneaking a side hug that ends with a hard smack to his stomach that makes him grunt. “I saw your gift, asshole.” She nails him with a look and then swings to me. “It’s a lamp shaped like a woman’s ass that you turn on and off by slapping it.”

“Oh, come on, Val. You can’t be jealous of a lamp.” He grins, very proud, and then he tips his head my way. “This is Remi. Remi, Valeria. My brother’s hostage.”

She rolls her eyes before melting into a smile. “Hi, Remi. Feel free to escape back in here when you need wine.” She darts her gaze to the double doors. “The birthday boy is out there.” Her nose scrunches in mock disgust, and I like her. “The cake will be here in twenty, along with your parents.”

Colton nudges me the way we came, and we cross to the other set of doors. They bring us into another kitchen space, smaller with an adjacent sitting area, but he keeps going through the large archway.