Be My Brayshaw (Brayshaw High #4)(52)

As we step around the large pergola and into the grass, Zoey’s animated voice reaches us, and Royce swings a grin my way. “Thank fuck she’s feelin’ a little better, and it’s cool enough out.”

I nod. “She was sweating pretty bad this morning, so I’m hoping tonight won’t be a repeat. Not sure I can handle that.”

“Yeah, brother. You can.” He nudges me with his shoulder. “But I sure as fuck hope you don’t have to.”

As we get to the curve of the yard, my family comes into view, and I quickly throw my arm out to stop Royce’s advance.

His head snaps my way with a frown, but then he looks out and a light nod leaves him.

Maddoc sits in the grass with his legs bent, feet planted on the ground while Zoey sits on her knees between them.

She has something in her hand and slowly opens it.

Maddoc darts his out, attempting to take whatever it is, but she quickly yanks it into her chest.

She laughs loudly, her little head tipping back. She falls to her butt when Maddoc reaches out to tickle her. After a moment, she pushes the little loose curls from her face and smiles at him.

Her mouth is moving, but I can’t hear what she says.

I look to my brother, watching as a smile grows, one I’ve never seen. It’s soft and gentle, but there’s a strain at the edge of his eyes.

Raven stands, having spotted me, and tiptoes behind him, so we move forward until we reach her.

She spins, leaning into me as she pulls the sleeves of her hoodie to her mouth.

She watches Maddoc through tender eyes. “Last night...” She shakes her head. “I’ve never seen him act that way. He was terrified, fully. Completely.” She glances between us, and I’d swear her eyes gloss over, but it’s hard to tell, they’re already so light. “I think, for the first time, he realized there’s gonna be situations where he’ll be completely powerless.”

She looks back to Maddoc, who lays his hands in Zoey’s as she places her palms out for him, not taking his eyes off his niece for a second.

“He hadn’t spoken a word all day. Not one.” Her lips twitch and she meets my gaze. “Not until she came charging into the kitchen, blew past me and Rolland, and walked right up to him, asking if he wanted to go play.”

I blow out a long, heavy breath, a light chuckle following.

“It’s like she knew what he needed,” Raven mimics my thoughts exactly.

She’s intuitive.

Zoey latches her thumb around the edge of Maddoc’s hands and stands, only to let them go so she can grab his face between her hands.

She smiles as she leans in, rubbing the tip of her nose to his.

Eskimo kisses...

A glare takes over and I look away, officially brought back to the issue at hand.

Victoria.

“Daddy!” My head snaps forward again, Maddoc’s having now jerked our way, but he doesn’t move. Doesn’t tense or draw away from her.

In fact, when she climbs over his legs, he looks about ready to reach for her.

That has me smiling again.

“Daddy!” Zoey bounds forward. “Uncle D says I’m a wolf!”

I laugh, bending down to pick her up. Her eyes are a little tired, but she’s got some color back. I kiss her cheek, checking her head as I say, “You tell Uncle D you’re no wolf, you’re a raven.”

She gasps, smiling and kicks her feet to be let down, running right back to Maddoc. “Daddy said I’m a raven!”

In time, Zoey will grow to understand what that means.

The raven will lead her wolves.

Maddoc chuckles and waits for Zoey to run back to him, but she spots our dad coming around the opposite side and darts passed.

“Papa, I’m a raven!” she yells as she goes.

Royce chuckles beside me, wrapping an arm around Raven and kissing her temple only to let go and move toward Maddoc.

He doesn’t bother standing, so we lower beside him, Raven gripping his bicep as she drops into the grass, only to be moved onto his lap.

Maddoc looks from Royce to me and the switch is flipped. “What is it?”

“The videos from last night.”

Maddoc’s frown mirrors Raven’s.

“It was her, she recorded them.”

“What the fuck?” Raven snaps.

“You’re sure?” he asks.

I nod, looking between them, explaining how I figured it out, and they jump up, ready to watch the video for themselves, so I nod at my dad across the yard and he lifts his hand, letting me know he’s got Zoey.

We make our way to my room and I play it back for them.

They sit there, glaring at the screen.

“That’s the one and only mistake I was able to find on all hundred plus videos,” I tell them when they finally focus on me.

Raven’s brows jump. “Hundred plus?”

I nod.

“How far back do these go, Cap?” Maddoc asks, his tone dark and low.

“Sophomore year,” I tell them.

Maddoc and Royce jump up.

“Hold on, back the fuck up.” Royce lifts his hands, shaking his head. “Sophomore year.” He dips his head forward slightly. “Sophomore fucking year?”

“Zoey was a newborn...” Raven trails off.

I pull my lips in, looking to my brothers.