Brianna shot her a glare. She wasn’t thrilled to have them there either, but at the same time, they were family. Their mother would roll over in her grave if she thought they were disrespecting their elders, particularly the Cartwells.
“I’m not going anywhere until I get my hands around that little bastard’s throat,” Kane announced, marching right to Peyton and smothering her lips with a saucy kiss. “Mornin’, gorgeous.”
Nory glanced at Brianna, stuck her finger in her mouth as if she were gagging, and turned back to the table. “Pass the toast, please.”
“I saw that, young lady,” Kane said, taking a seat and tossing his napkin in his lap. “And for that little ‘ew’ remark, you can try everything on the table. A little birdy told me you’ve lost thirty pounds in about three months.”
“Oh, honey,” Peyton said, concern marring her brow. “Have you been sick?”
Brianna took a deep breath. “I told you. She doesn’t eat. Ever.”
Gemma and Drina entered then. Peyton kept studying Nory and Brianna resented her expression, full of pity and worry.
“Morning, girls. Breakfast is served. Don’t get used to it. Peyton’s idea of cooking is slapping a few pastries in the toaster.”
A loud knock resounded and Coco turned to the back door. “It’s probably Brandon.”
“Who’s Brandon?” Kane asked.
Coco stalled, glared at him as if she were contemplating a snide reply and then stormed away to greet her guest.
“Was it something I said?” Kane asked.
Brianna exchanged glances with her sisters. She wondered what Kane would say if she just told the truth and said Brandon and his brothers were Coco’s friends with benefits.
“Apparently so,” Kane muttered, lifting his brows. This time, he and Peyton swapped stares.
A few seconds later, Coco reentered the kitchen. “Will you be around?”
“Yes,” Kane replied, dabbing the corners of his mouth. “I noticed you have some boards down in the lower field. I’m working down there today.”
Peyton patted Kane’s hand and then picked up her coffee cup with both hands. They never took their eyes off one another. The woman apparently thought her husband was something extraordinary. She looked at him as if she were positively lovesick. Then again, from what Brianna knew of her cousins, they all professed mad love for their significant others.
Brianna’s sadness was overwhelming then. She realized her chance of finding the kind of love Kane and Peyton shared was now slim to none. Only three men held the keys to Brianna’s heart. After what had happened to her, the Jackson brothers would probably never give her so much as a second glance. They’d think of her as damaged goods.
“I have classes until five o’clock today.”
“You’re in school?” Peyton asked. “How wonderful to hear.”
Coco rolled her eyes. “Yeah. How about that? The drug lord’s daughter is trying to rise above her upbringing and make something out of her life. Who would’ve thought, right?”
“I didn’t mean—”
“Peyton, don’t,” Kane said, standing. “I’ll walk you out, Coco.”
“You’ll have to wait and walk me back in at the end of the day,” Coco said, snatching her keys from the nearby counter. “I’m late for class.” She pointed at Nory. “She’s on spring break this week.”
“I could’ve told them,” Nory said, carefully spreading jam on her toast. Her little head bobbed one way or the other as she smoothed the knife over the bread.
The door slammed in Kane’s face and he turned to the room. “All right, ladies. We need to establish some ground rules right away. I’m not your father and Peyton isn’t here to try and fill that void your mother left behind so many years ago. We’re here to help. With the exception of Nory, you’re all adults. Adult or not, we’ll respect you if you respect us, but let me clear up one thing right away. I’m not going anywhere soon. Your father asked me to check in on you girls and that’s why I’m here.” He smiled that satisfied grin that meant stubborn as hell trouble. “And lucky for all of us I don’t have anywhere to be anytime soon.”
“Do you know where Dad is living now?” Gemma asked.
“No.”
“Would you tell us if you did?” Brianna asked, challenging him.
Kane studied her thoughtfully before answering. “If I knew where he was and it wouldn’t endanger you to know his whereabouts, I’d tell you.”