6. Subtle

6 SUBTLE

Koen

When Henley texted Keaton, we were about six minutes away. The lack of traffic and the fear flowing through my veins meant we made it in three. Keaton’s muttered curse drew my attention away from parking my car in time to witness my girl get slammed against her house. I was out of the door an instant later, ignoring my best friend’s attempts to calm me down.

Red-hot rage blinded me as I stormed up the sidewalk, laser-focused on the motherfucker who was two seconds away from having his arms ripped from his body.

“Get your fucking hands off my wife.”

He had the audacity to laugh, but what he did not do was let her go. My hand itched to unstrap the gun on my hip, to shove the barrel against his temple, and dare him to laugh again when I saw her wince. Instead, I grabbed his thumb and yanked it backward, dislodging the grip he had. The asshole cried out when I spun, sweeping my leg against the back of his knees, dropping him unceremoniously to the ground .

“Leave him alone,” a woman I hadn’t noticed screamed and moved like she was going to intervene, only to be blocked by Keaton.

“Be smart, lady,” he warned.

“Not possible,” Jade muttered.

My eyes snapped to hers, taking her in. “Are you okay?”

“I am now.”

“Wife?” Henley shrieked. “Are you shitting me right now?”

“Little Bird,” Keaton chided.

He didn’t have to say anything else. I knew I’d fucked up. In my defense, I wasn’t exactly thinking straight when I announced our marriage.

During their exchange, the two trespassers—I assumed were Jade’s parents—began to slink backward in an attempt to sneak away from the havoc they’d wreaked, but when the front door opened, they changed course.

“Go back inside, Jett,” Henley requested quietly.

“Happy birthday, baby,” his mother cried out.

“Go away,” he replied. “Nobody wants you here.”

Moving to the top of the steps as they reached the bottom, I gripped the railing on either side, blocking their path and their view. “You heard him. Leave and don’t come back,”

“Wait.” Jade slipped under my arm, which I then instinctively wrapped around her waist, drawing her back into my chest. “Why are you really here?”

“We came to see our baby on his birthday,” her mother quipped.

“Bullshit,” Jett bellowed.

The fact Jade didn’t correct his language said enough about her state of mind to raise my hackles. I should’ve had Nelson dig through their background when she first told me they’d popped back up; a mistake I’d be rectifying immediately.

“Oh, son, she’s brainwashed you against us.”

“No need to brainwash me. I’ve always known you were shit parents.”

This needed to end. Now.

“Enough, Jett,” I gruffed.

Jade shifted slightly in my arms, locking eyes with her brother. “We’ve got this handled. Please go back inside.” A tense heartbeat later, he nodded, then spun and did as she asked.

“The police are on their way,” Keaton announced, coming to my side. “I’d suggest you get gone before they arrive.”

“This isn’t over.” He stomped toward the street, casting a final threat over his shoulder. “We’ll be back, daughter. And next time even your new husband won’t be able to stop us.”

Once they disappeared around the corner, Jade sagged against my chest, the tension slipping from her body as she matched my breaths subconsciously. Leaning in, I kissed her temple, then inhaled—catching notes of cinnamon and vanilla—my new favorite scent.

“They won’t touch either of you,” I vowed.

“You can’t promise that, but I appreciate the sentiment.”

Unease rippled through my gut; the sense of foreboding intense enough to be crippling. She was right. It was damn-near impossible to be with her twenty-four seven. The idea of anything happening to the woman, who’d quickly become my sole reason for being, was incomprehensible. I’d have to figure out something before the fear of losing her smothered me like a weighted blanket .

“Ow.” She flinched, her head swinging to the right as she rubbed the back of her arm. “Did you just pinch me?”

“You got married!” Henley seethed, her eyes narrowing into tiny slits. “Without me!”

“We did,” I answered, earning myself an elbow to the solar plexus.

“Henley,” Jade slipped out of my hold, taking her friend's hands in hers. “I swear to you, we’ll explain everything later, but Jett is my priority right now. I have to make sure he’s okay, and then we’re going to celebrate the shit outta his birthday.”

“Yeah. Okay,” she agreed easily.

They started toward the door and that’s when I noticed.

“Angel, why the hell are you limping?”

“I’m sure it’s nothing, truly.” She tried—and failed—to protest when I scooped her stubborn ass up before she crossed the threshold, and then again as I gently sat her down on the living room sofa. Well, I wasn’t buying what she was selling. “My ego is bruised more than my toe.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

Taking a seat next to her, I pulled her foot into my lap. She braced when I slid off her shoe and sock, then sucked in a pained breath as I carefully probed the area. Her pinky toe had doubled in size and the surrounding skin had turned various shades of purple.

“I was embarrassed, okay?” She tucked her chin to her chest. “Besides, there’s nothing to be done, even if it is broken.”

I’d had my fair share of injured toes over the years. They were par for the course during training. What we needed was a few supplies to stabilize it.

“Do you have a first aid kit?” Keaton voiced my thoughts.

“Under the sink in the kitchen,” she answered.

“I’ll get it,” Henley volunteered, returning moments later with the small box, along with a bag of frozen peas and a dish towel.

“Are they gone?”

Jett slunk into the room, moving warily until he flanked Keaton, matching his pose. Feet shoulder width apart, arms crossed over his lanky chest, and fire blazing in his dark eyes. Behind him, with a matching glower, was who I assumed was the infamous Phoebe I’d heard about over the past week.

Jade scrambled to sit up, but I stilled her movement with a firm shake of my head and a hand to her knee.

“Yes. I’m sorry they ruined your birthday.”

“They didn’t ruin shit, Jade.”

“Language,” she admonished, biting her bottom lip as I tenderly placed a cotton ball between her toes then used a piece of medical tape to anchor her little toe to the one next to it. It wasn’t perfect, but it would do the job.

“I should get a pass after that foul situation. Speaking of…when’s dinner? Get it? F.O.W.L?” He laughed at his own joke.

“You’re an idiot.” The teenage girl rolled her eyes.

“What? You’re the one who said you were starving.”

“Well, yeah…but I figured you’d do the chivalrous thing and make me something yourself,” she responded, flicking his ear.

“How long have you known me, Pheebs?” He raised a brow.

“Good point,” she conceded. “I’d die hungry.”

“Oh my God, you two are priceless.” Henley threw her arms over their shoulders. “But no one’s going to starve on my watch. Let’s go. Both of you can give me a hand with the wings.”

They left and Jade wiggled her knee, drawing my attention back to her. “Could you help me get into the kitchen?” I opened my mouth to insist she stay put; however, she covered my lips with her finger. “Please, Koen. I need to feel like I’m doing something productive. I’ll just supervise, I swear.”

How could I deny her? I couldn’t, which didn’t bode well for me in the future.

“You’ll keep your foot elevated and iced for the next twenty minutes.” She grinned and nodded, even though I hadn’t posed a question.

I stood, lifting her into my arms, then carried her a short distance to the kitchen. After depositing her in one of the chairs with her leg propped up on another, I returned to the other room, fully prepared to take a verbal lashing from Keaton. What I did not expect was the thunderous look on his face.

“If you hurt her, I’ll help Henley bury your body.”

“What the fuck? So much for the bro code.”

“The bro code doesn’t keep me warm at night.”

“You know I’d rather cut off my arm than do anything to harm her.”

“Why so quick, Koen? And why the secrecy?”

Ambling to the bookcase, I lifted a frame off the shelf and traced the picture inside with my finger. The photo was several years old; a candid shot of a younger, carefree Jade with Jett and their gran. Her smile was so damn electrifying .

“Oh, shit,” he swore. “You’re in love with her.”

There was no point denying the truth, so I didn’t. Nevertheless, those words would only be said out loud to my Angel, and only when I knew she was ready to hear them.

Setting the frame back in its place, I crossed the space between us, needing to change the subject, but also not wanting our conversation to be overheard.

“Do you have connections with any top-of-the-line security companies around here? Cost doesn’t matter, so long as they’re safe. I want the best and I want it yesterday. Camera, motion sensors…the works.”

“I know a place, but you’ll have to go through Duncan or Waverly. I wasn’t exactly on good terms last I saw them.”

“Not exactly a chat I’m looking forward to.”

“You screwed the pooch there, my friend,” he grinned smugly. “You can deal with the consequences. Family doesn’t keep secrets, especially ours.”

And we were…family, that is. When all was said and done, I trusted my team with my life. Now I had to trust them with my heart.

Jade

“I’ve held my tongue long enough.” Henley closed the lid on the first air fryer after filling it with buffalo wings. “Spill the tea.”

Sighing, I drummed my fingers against the outside of my thigh. “We got married at the courthouse last Friday afternoon.”

“Hold up.” Jett’s head swung around. “Who got married? ”

Swallowing past the thickness in my throat, I croaked, “Me and Koen.”

“Badass,” Phoebe proclaimed with her fist raised in the air.

“Why the hell wouldn’t you tell me?”

“That’s two, Jett Mica.”

“Well, if we’re counting, I may as well go for the trifecta, Jade Amber ,” he snarled. “What the actual fuck?”

His anger was palpable, though it was nothing compared to the sting of betrayal I saw reflected back at me through his eyes. It was nearly my undoing. Throughout his whole life, I’d been the barrier between him and anything aiming to cause him harm. Now I was the one inflicting the pain. It cut deep. So deep I could practically feel the blood oozing from the wound in my chest.

“They threatened you, didn’t they?” My lack of response to his accusation led to a fourth round of cursing. “Son of a bitch, that’s it, isn’t it?”

“It's not tha?—”

“Just give them whatever they want so they’ll leave us alone. You didn’t have to get married.”

“They want you,” I shouted, immediately regretting the harsh delivery.

Stunned silence fell over the room. Dammit all to hell. He was never supposed to find out this way. The heavy clouds of guilt made it impossible to breathe, at least until Koen raced in with Keaton on his heels. The relief was instantaneous. His mere presence had my lungs expanding, filling so fast with much needed oxygen it was dizzying. He was my strength and one of my greatest weaknesses.

“What’s with all the yelling?” he growled, searching high and low for a danger which didn’t exist, unless you counted the danger to my heart .

“Did you know?”

“Know what, kid?” He cocked his head to the side.

“About my parents.”

Koen flicked his gaze to me, desperate for answers I didn’t have. Closing my eyes didn’t shield me from hearing the hints of betrayal lacing Jett’s soft response.

“Yeah. You knew.”

“Can I have a minute alone with my brother, please?”

“You can have sixteen.” Henley winked. “That’s when the food will be done.”

I appreciated her attempts to break the tension and mouthed “thank you” as everyone followed her out of our small kitchen. Well, almost everyone.

“You too please, Koen.”

We were in a standoff of sorts. Him needing to make sure we were all going to be fine and me trying to ensure that was the case. Reluctantly, he backed slowly out of the doorway. Once he’d disappeared from sight, I took two calming breaths and prayed I’d be able to fix what I’d broken.

“Don’t hold back, Jade. I know it had to be bad if you thought getting hitched was the only solution.”

Sometimes I forgot he wasn’t the same little boy who used to sneak into my bedroom when he was scared. I’d blinked and he’d grown into the almost adult standing before me.

“They came by one afternoon when you were at school, spouting off about owing someone a lot of money. I told them I didn’t have any, so they said they’d take you instead. That you could make them a fortune in Vegas.”

“Assholes,” he grumbled under his breath.

I didn’t have the energy to fight him on the curse words anymore. He’d more than earned the few slips he’d had. Later, when we were in a better place, I’d steer him back toward the right path.

“I called them worse. Long story short, they said they’d take me to court for custody of you. One night I panicked and spilled everything to Koen. He offered to marry me so we could show the court you were in a stable home if it ever came down to it.”

Erasing the distance between us, he took my hands in his, reminding me of the way I used to do the same when he was little.

“So marrying a man you barely know was easier than talking to me? Your flesh and blood.”

Ouch. Direct hit.

“When did we stop being a team, Jade?” His shoulders drooped. “It’s always been you and me against the world. I know I screwed up huge with the whole hacking thing, but I’ve learned from my mistakes.”

“I know?—”

“Do you though?” he interrupted.

“That’s not fair, Jett.”

“No. What’s not fair is you shouldering the brunt of the burdens when I’m right here. This is our family, Jade. I’m not a kid anymore, so stop treating me like one.”

“You’re right,” I sighed, squeezing his hand.

“I know.”

“Smug isn’t a good look on you, little brother.”

“Does Koen know you’re in love with him?”

The shift in conversation nearly gave me whiplash.

“I’m not in love with him.”

“Lies.”

“I’m not.”

He pursed his lips. “Whatever you say, Sis. What now? ”

“Now you need to be careful. Let me or Koen know if they try to contact you. Other than that, we live our lives.”

“Is your new husband moving in?”

“Don’t call him that.”

“Why? He is.”

“Are you ready to celebrate your birthday, or what?”

“Subtle, Jade. Very subtle.”

I stood carefully on my uninjured foot and wrapped him in a hug.

“Are we good?”

“We were never bad. I know you’ve got me.”

“And I always will.”

After Jett and I had our moment in the kitchen, Koen asked for one of his own. I had no idea what they’d discussed, but when the timer for the air fryer went off seven minutes later, they seemed good. Better than good, if I was being honest. Almost as if this little blip in the radar had brought them closer, which I loved for Jett. There was only so much I could show him about life. He needed—no—he deserved the positive influence of someone like Koen. Someone who would lead by example, showing him what it meant to be a hardworking, honorable man.

With one crisis averted, more drama ensued when Lanie finally arrived, apologizing for her lateness and Noah’s absence. Keaton and Koen offered to kick his ass into gear, but with a somber shake of her head, she told them to leave it be for now. My heart broke for her. Clearly, there was more brewing between them than she was willing to divulge. I just hoped they figured it out soon.

“How the hell did I miss a showdown with the ’rents and a marriage announcement? I was only forty minutes late.”

To say Lanie was ecstatic over the announcement of our wedding would’ve been an understatement of epic proportions. She was damn-near giddy, even spouting something about Waverly owing her a hundred bucks.

Hugs and congratulations were given all around, then the eight of us devoured three bags of chicken wings and had just about destroyed my version of charcuterie boards, before settling in to watch Jett open the pile of gifts at his feet. My friends had gone completely overboard in their efforts to give him the best sixteenth birthday ever.

He and Phoebe literally bounced in their seats as he opened them one by one. A new silver laptop case and carrying bag from Keaton and Henley. A virtual reality headset courtesy of Duncan and Waverly—who were unable to make the party due to work obligations. Lanie and Noah went in together and bought him a year's subscription to Peacock.

“There’s this show on Friday and Saturday nights called On Patrol Live. Best freaking entertainment out there,” she gushed.

Next, he opened a package from Nelson and Sammie, who’d stopped by earlier to drop it off. “Sweet. AirTags.” He held them up like he’d won the lottery.

“What are those?” I asked.

“They’re like little tracking devices. People put them on their luggage, their keys…all sorts of stuff they tend to lose,” he responded.

“Nice. Can I put one on you?”

“Ha. Very funny, Sis.”

A flutter of excitement rolled through my chest as he reached for the final bag. My measly budget had been ceremoniously tossed out the window when Koen accompanied me to the electronics store. He’d insisted on paying for half.

My panties had all but melted off my body in the middle of the damn store when he said, “He’s my brother now too.”

Blasted hormones.

“Holy shi—oot,”

“Whoa, Jett. That’s the latest MacBook.” Phoebe whistled her pleasure.

“I know.” With eyes glazing over, he lifted his head. “Jade. How?”

“It’s from me and Koen.” He launched himself into my arms before I had the chance to utter another word. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I lost myself in momentary bliss. I hadn’t even noticed he’d landed on my injured toe until he shifted, causing me to flinch in pain.

“Sorry.” He grimaced.

“Happy birthday, Jett. Love you.”

“I love you too, Jade.”

A wave of sorrow whirled through my mind while I lounged on the couch, where Koen deposited me with strict instructions to rest. We’d missed this, Jett and me. This sense of belonging, which only came with being a part of something greater than ourselves. A family brought together by happenstance rather than biology, since we’d discovered the hard way blood was not always thicker than water. Even the three years we had with Gran—while wonderful—didn’t hold a candle to the bond we’d formed in such a short time with this amazing group of people.

They were our tribe.

“When are the kiddos going to bed? I need some alcohol to soak up all these carbs.” Henley leaned forward, dunking another piece of bread into the dill dip, then popped it into her mouth.

“Let’s not make excuses. We need alcohol because it’s alcohol.”

“Who said we had to wait? Koen,” Lanie hollered. “Your wife and her besties are in need of adult beverages.”

“Beer or wine, Angel?”

“Wine, please.”

He and Keaton had been taking turns with Jett and Phoebe for the last hour or so, playing air drums on the VR headset while the girls and I watched the image cast on the TV screen. It was hysterical to watch, especially before we figured out they had to give each other a wide berth during the game. I couldn’t tell you how many times the controller went flying across the room, or one of them got whacked with it when they got too close to whoever was playing.

“You’re incorrigible, Alaina Biggs.” I elbowed her in the side.

“Unapologetically.” She grinned.

Moscato flowed fast and free until every last drop of the three bottles Lanie brought were consumed. Despite the way my day started, it was rounding out to be one of the most memorable; in all the good ways.

Jett thanked everyone for a second time, then he and Pheebs darted up the stairs, whispering excitedly about all the new shows they’d be able to binge-watch with his new streaming subscription.

“We had a great time,” Henley slurred, clinging to Keaton’s arm.

“The best,” Lanie agreed.

“Let’s hit the road, ladies. I want to get home and check your sugar levels before bed, baby.” He escorted them down the sidewalk with a quick wave over his shoulder .

Henley’s diabetes, quite frankly, scared the shit out of me. Yes, she had it under control with diet and medication, still, it was always something I’d worry about. Witnessing the level of Keaton’s love and the attentiveness he gave to her disease did go a long way to ease my troubled mind.

“I’m just gonna grab my bag out of the car. Be right back.” Koen kissed my cheek on his way past while I stood on the porch with my mouth hanging open.

What just happened? Grab his bag?

He returned less than a minute later with a black duffel bag slung on his shoulder, ushering me back through the door, and flipping the locks in place. Finally, the wine haze wore off long enough for me to form words.

“Um…Koen? What the hell?”

Okay, so they weren’t the greatest words I’d ever spoken, but they got my point across. At least I hoped they did.

“I’ll take the couch. Can you grab me a blanket and a pillow?”

“No.” I shook my head.

“No, you don’t have a blanket, or no to the extra pillow?” The bastard had the audacity to look amused.

“No, you can’t sleep on the couch.”

“I thought it was a little forward of me to suggest sharing your bed, but if you insist.”

“Koen.” I stomped my good foot like a petulant child. “You’re not spending the night.”

“I am.”

With two steps, he eradicated any hope I had of maintaining a modicum of space between us. He was so close; the citrus and spice of his aftershave filled my nose. I couldn’t help but inhale it.

Dammit. Why’d he have to smell so good?

“Did you just sniff me?” The jerk raised a brow.

“No,” I lied.

“You seem awfully attached to that word tonight.” He dragged his thumb along my bottom lip. “I bet I could convince you to say yes.”

“Kissing me into submission isn’t the way to go, Koen.”

“How about cold hard facts?” He sobered, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. Grasping my hand in his, he pulled me over to the stairs, where he sat, then pulled me down onto his lap sideways. “Your parents are a bigger threat than I first imagined. Showing up here like they did tells me they’re desperate, and desperate people are dangerous.”

There was true fear in his voice. To be honest, I’d been thinking the same thing since I opened the door to them earlier. The few times they’d approached in the past, Jett was never home. It made me wonder what had changed?

“You and Jett mean more to me than you’re ready for me to admit at this point. Just know I’d burn this city to the ground if something were to happen to either one of you.”

“Koen,” I breathed his name.

“Please give me this, Angel. I have to know you’re protected.”

“Okay.”

Honestly, him staying the night would relieve a great deal of anxiety already consuming me at the thought of Jett and I being alone. It was one of the reasons I agreed so easily, just not the main one. He’d slowly but surely worked his way past my defenses, earning him my gratitude and my heart. For someone who wasn’t used to having anyone they could count on, it was an adjustment for me for certain .

“Oh, and I’m having a security system installed.”

“Of course you are.”

He was lucky I knew he was worth the effort.