Isaac laughed and said, “No way in hell I’m turning that one into a tie. Keep talking, Genevieve.”
Gen rolled her eyes at Isaac’s nickname for her, and looked back at her brother. “Frisco, it isn’t like we’re getting married tomorrow or anything. We had a business lunch once, where we talked about some personal stuff, but some of his other guys were there too, and it wasn’t a date. When our business transactions concluded, he told me he needed to keep me out of his life until things were safe, and they’re safe now. We’re just exploring it, getting to know each other. Is that so bad? He hasn’t even kissed me yet. I mean, not on the lips. Just on the forehead.”
“He hasn’t kissed you? Nothing’s happened?”
Gen shook her head and Frisco sighed as he said, “Let me go, Bevering.”
Duke let him go, but said, “It’s Duke now, guys. Not a huge deal in the compound, but could be outside.”
Gen’s heart dropped as she realized she’d never called him Duke. “You should have told me!”
“You’re fine, Beautiful. First name isn’t a big deal, last name could be. I like hearing you say my name. Sounds so sweet coming from your lips.”
She smiled up at him as Frisco said, “Give me a fucking break, Duke. What the fuck? You forget how many times I’ve heard you use those ridiculous lines to score pussy, and now you’re saying that shit to my sister in front of me?”
“Is that true?” Gen asked, her heart back down in her stomach. “Those are just lines? Stuff you’ve said to other girls?”
“Not feeding you lines, Gen. I love hearing you say my name. Wouldn’t say it if it weren’t true.”
A dozen men wearing leather had formed a semicircle around them, and Gen wasn’t comfortable with the audience. She found Brain amongst them and asked, “Brain? Do you think you can maybe give us some space? This is my brother and his boyfriend, and Frisco, Isaac, and Keith all hung out together during high school. It really is kind of a—”
Keith’s finger touched Gen’s lips as he said, “Sorry, Beautiful. Gonna have to ask you not to tell my men what to do. For anyone else, they’d have torn him apart if I didn’t do it first. Asking them to stand there and keep quiet is about as good as it gets right now.”
“But if you’re in charge, can’t you just tell them to go away?”
He laughed. “They’re worried about me, so… no. I’m kinda stuck with them. Remember how I said they’re mine? Well, I’m theirs, too.”
Surprisingly, Isaac took Keith’s side. “We’re fine, Gen. They aren’t bothering me, and Frisco is only bothered by Duke at the moment.” He touched Frisco’s hand and said, “I’d like you to take Cassie and Gen by the hand and walk away from us. Stay gone a minimum of five minutes, do not open your mouth to argue or cajole. Listen to your sister. Don’t just let her words bounce off you; let them sink in. Our Cassie will probably have a few things to say as well. Don’t blow her off.”
As Gen walked with her brother, she heard Cam ask, “Can I go with them?”
Isaac must have nodded, because he came scurrying after them, and held Cassie’s hand as they walked.
* * * *
Duke glanced at Brain, who moved just a touch closer as Isaac looked at Ethan and said, “Might be a good idea for you and Sam to go, too. My brother and I need to have a few words in private, if you don’t mind.”
As Ethan stepped far enough way to not hear them, Duke lowered his voice to say, “I broke those ties of brotherhood long ago, and you were never a full-fledged member, seeing as you aren’t a wolf, and it’s a wolf-pack.”
“You left in good standing. Once a brother, always a brother. I’m still accepted by the pack, still consider every member a brother. You’re still someone I care about and respect. Just don’t hurt someone who belongs to me and we’re good.”
“I have your blessing with Gen?”
“I haven’t decided yet, but even if I were to agree you might be good for her, it’s her brother you’re going to have to convince.”
Duke signaled Brain again, letting him know with a look that Isaac was being cool. He felt the energy they’d been holding fade away, and Isaac laughed. “You weren’t totally honest with Gen. You could’ve sent them away. You just signaled the danger seemed to be over and every one of them backed off.”
Duke shook his head. “Not until they felt me relax would they stand down. I haven’t shared your secret, but you know they can tell you aren’t human.”