was father-son bonding time. Shooting cans was what my brother and I did when the internet went down - which it did a lot out in the middle of nowhere. I just... In all this time, I guess it never dawned on me that you're carrying a gun regularly. Even in the tournaments?"
"One on the ankle as well," he admitted. "So, yeah. Technically, I should've taken them off before I started drinking, but I didn't want to walk down the hall unarmed, and I promise I'm just as accurate when I'm falling down drunk, dying, or anything else."
"We should go to the range sometime," she said. "Next time you're in Ohio. I don't think Braden knows how, and I kinda miss putting holes in paper."
He slipped an arm around her waist. "It's a date."
Rhaven leaned her head into his shoulder. "I heard about the pictures you kept on your wall. How long did you know about me?"
"Since Riley called you out at that first tournament," he admitted. "Tried to find Rhaven, couldn't, and suspected you for a total of twelve seconds."
She laughed. "So, want to tell me what you know about Psyc and Braden?"
He hugged her a little tighter so he could lean toward her ear. "Braden's a good guy. He has anger issues, but always directed the right way. His criminal record always has him beating the asshole, never the victim. Psyc? He's a little boring, in all honesty. He runs three different programs to keep track of his stats, looking for inconsistencies. He has a degree from UC Davis that he never talks about, and a rather healthy retirement plan built up. He's clean, Rhaven. He also hasn't bought drinks for more than one person in about ten months. Since right before Seattle of last year."
She turned to face him. "Really?"
"He's into you. Braden's into you. It's as real as it's going to get, and you have nothing left to lose. None of us care who you sleep with, how many, or in what order."
She threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you! I just needed someone to tell me I'm not crazy."
He pressed his face into her shoulder. "You are not crazy, Rhaven. And if either of those men break your heart, they'll have to deal with me, then your father, and then your brother."
She laughed and stepped back. "You really did stalk all of us, huh?"
"Best way to get to know my new family. So, yeah." Then he pointed across the room. "And don't look now, but they're talking. So go tell Kate to get me a bottle of something that isn't tequila, and let them figure this out so you can enjoy it."
She leaned in to kiss his cheek then turned and walked away, calling out, "Zara, you got a keeper there."
"I know I do," Zara agreed.
Finally free, Jason made his way over to her. She and Murder were sitting on the stools at the bar, and he had his phone out, most likely filled with pictures of little Ryan. Sure enough, when he got closer, Zara was fawning over the pudgy little boy. Jason leaned in to look.
"How'd he get so much dark hair?" he asked.
Murder chuckled. "Well, Kitty's Hispanic, so her hair isn't really that light. I'm Middle Eastern, so the poor guy's screwed, but we think he's going to keep those blue eyes. My little man's going to be a heartbreaker."
"He is cute," Jason admitted. "And Kitty looks great. She still nervous about the whole commitment thing?"
"Not really," Murder admitted. "I mean, don't get me wrong. Riley makes it sound bad, but..." He paused. "You probably know more about her past than I do."
"Only what the police report says," Jason assured him.
"She watched her mom die," Murder said. "Kitty was hiding behind the couch when her father shot her mother, and her mom lay there gasping. The whole time, her father was screaming that she was his, that he was the one who decided what she could do. Kitty was just a little kid, and that? It settled in her head, man. Then, growing up, the guys she met did nothing but reinforce it. So you know what? I can give her space." Then he turned to look at the group of people before them. "They all have a fucking story, man. All of us. Some are pretty bad, but I think Kitty's is almost as bad as Dez's. Every time she got hope, someone yanked it away from her, you know?"