“I thought the champagne was just for the PR pics,” Cole said, setting his flute on the coffee table.

“As if,” Miranda said. “If there’s champagne and an event worth celebrating, this family’s going to drink.”

“Amen,” Liz said, dragging a dining chair next to the couch. “We raised these children right.”

“Good thing I didn’t have my own, so I could help you,” Geraldine said, settling into another chair that Mason brought in for her. “These eight were a handful.”

“Has anyone talked to Zane lately?” Logan asked about the only one who was absent.

“Last week,” Drake said. “He’s still somewhere in the world doing something we can’t know about.”

“I still miss that boy like crazy,” Cole’s mom said, as she always did, ever since he’d left home years ago.

While everyone else had taken a spot in the armchairs or the love seat or the dining chairs or on the floor, Mason and Gabe sauntered over to stand in front of the gas fireplace, which wasn’t on today, as if they had something to say. Uneasiness bubbled up in Cole’s gut because chances were good they were going to make a big deal out of him joining North Brothers. Bigger than an obnoxious—but damn good—cake. He wasn’t a fan of being the center of attention and had told his family, when they’d initiated the celebration, that it better be casual and chill. He waited till Mason met his eyes and then mouthed fucker to him.

His brother laughed and said, “Long time coming, Cole.”

“Is this where they haze you?” Sierra asked.

“Not if they’re smart.” Cole took her empty plate, stacked it with his, and passed them to Liz, who’d gestured for them. She took them, along with several others, to the kitchen counter, then retook her seat.

“Hey,” Mason said over all the other voices. “Gabe and I have a couple things to say.”

“What he means to say is shut the hell up,” Gabe said, his voice raised, aiming his grin at Miranda and Geraldine, who were still going on about who knew what.

Miranda’s eyes widened when she noticed everyone was staring at them, and she made a smart-ass motion as if she were zipping her lips, her brows raised as if to say, Happy now?

“As you all know,” Mason said in his serious CEO voice, which was pretty much his everyday voice, “we’re here today to celebrate our black sheep brother coming back to the flock.”

“Mason,” their mother scolded, the only person in the world who could get away with that to him.

“Said with brotherly love—and honesty,” he replied. “And it’s nicer than what he called me under his breath two minutes ago.”

“That’s a fact,” Cole said as everyone laughed.