Uh … I was putting my trust in my friend as I started to the back. When I got there, I relaxed. Slightly. “Brett.”

He was leaning against a tree with his hands stuffed inside his front pockets. As he stood, his goliath-sized body unfolded and grew again in front of me. If he hadn’t asked me out and if he hadn’t protected me from Budd, I would’ve been pissing my pants. All I did was wipe my hands off on my pants and give him a relieved grin.

He grinned back, but grimaced. “I’m sorry for not doing this earlier.”

Oh whoa. That wasn’t what I expected to hear. “Do what?”

“Come to apologize.”

“Apologize? For what?”

“For my brother and what he must’ve put you through. For me too.” He glanced down as his shoulders lifted when he took in a deep breath. “I should’ve stopped him a long time ago, but I didn’t. I never had incentive to, and I guess it was easier to let Shannon get in his ear. This all started because my sister told us Mason Kade used her for sex. I know what she did wasn’t right.”

“Shannon?”

“She lied all those years ago.”

Oh, whoa again. “You knew?”

“Not then, but I found out the truth a few months ago. I never told Budd.” He shrugged, reaching up to scratch his face. As he did, his arm doubled in size, and I gulped again. It was the size of a tree trunk. Then he added, “My brother doesn’t work like that. Once he hears something, it’s it in his mind. Your man knows that, too.”

I flushed at the memory. The image of Kate writhing on top of Mason had my stomach churning, but I shrugged it off. It was over and done. He had his revenge. She got her due. I helped her out in the end. My conscience was clear when it came to Kate.

I cleared my throat. “What do you want, Brett?”

“Just to extend an olive branch, I suppose.” His jaw hardened, and he glanced to the side. Lifting his arms, he folded them across his chest. If it was possible, it made him look even bigger. “And to let you know that the beef is over between my town and this one. As far as I’m concerned, we got no problem with Fallen Crest folk anymore.”

“Oh.”

“Is that right?”

I stiffened, but I couldn’t deny the relief that went through me. Mason came up behind me and stood next to me. He didn’t touch me or pull me against him. For some reason, I was thankful.

Brett stiffened too, but he jerked his head in a nod. “I was telling your woman that I consider the rivalry done. Budd’s in jail. Whoever set his truck on fire made that possible.”

“You make it sound like you wanted him in jail?”

He frowned at Mason, and the two engaged in some unspoken message between them before Brett slowly lifted his head up and down. “My brother was hurting a girl. He needs to take the punishment for it. That’s all I’m saying.”

Mason didn’t respond. The two continued to stare at each other.

I shifted next to him, unsure of what to do. The air had filled with tension when Mason spoke up, but I didn’t feel that it was nearing any violence. I hoped not. “So,” I gave each a forced smile, “Brett came to say that Budd’s in jail, and Shannon lied all those years ago. We’ve made progress, I think.”

Faint grins came over both of them, but disappeared instantly.

Mason spoke, “You know Shannon lied? That I never slept with your sister and used her?”

Brett jerked his head in a nod. “I do. Her best friend told me the truth. She came onto you and you rejected her.” His gaze lingered on me. “I know you could have your choice of women so it never felt right, my sister’s story, but she’s kin, so we did what we did.”

“If someone rejected my brother, I wouldn’t force her to date him.” Mason’s jaw had hardened. “It’s an extreme response.”

Brett lifted his head, and his shoulders rolled back. As his arms fell back to his side, my eyes widened. His hands turned back as if they were going to form into fists, but they didn’t. I let out a small puff of air, and then he replied, “We’re old fashioned. Big brothers look out for their little sisters.”

“Your sister’s a bitch.”

I closed my eyes in frustration. Logan had the worst timing. Ever.

He strolled to the group, his eyes narrowed and lethal as he added, “And she’s a viper. There’s no way in hell you have to look out for her.”

Brett’s head lifted even further, and I saw the storm brewing.

“Okay.” I stood between them and shooed Logan away. “Get out of here. You’re not helping.”

“Not going, Sam.”

“Go. I mean it.”

He ignored me. His gaze trailed past me to Brett, and he asked further, “What are you here for?”

I lifted my voice, “He came to make peace, so get out of here before you blow it.”

Logan’s narrowed eyes turned to me in disbelief.

My eyebrow arched high, and my hands found my hips. “I mean it. Go,” but I stopped as Mason’s hand curved around my waist, and he pulled me against him. His fingers slid under my shirt and pressed against me. I got the message. I shut up.

Logan stepped next to me now so that all three of us stood in a line. As he did, I understood Mason’s message. The three of us were together, no matter what. I’d forgotten the rule, and it felt good. It felt like home once again.

Brett skimmed over us and nodded to himself. It was a faint nod, but I caught it. He gave me a small grin before he moved back a step. “I came to see how Sam was doing, but to say what I already said. Budd’s in jail, and he ain’t getting out any time soon, so I run Roussou now. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no beef between us anymore.” He paused a beat. “And Fallen Crest is closer to our farm than Roussou, so I’m also warning you that I might be grabbing a bite to eat every now and then at Manny’s.”

Mason narrowed his eyes.

Logan raised his chin. “You put our buddy in the hospital. We never got even for that.”

“You had a hand in putting my brother in jail. I think that evens the field.”

Oh boy. That can did not need to be opened. I nodded. “That’s fine with me.”

The two glanced down at me as I stood between them. I ignored them. Heather would be fine with it. She’d be happy even. If Brett stopped by for a bite that meant the rest of Roussou could come, too, and that meant Channing’s friends. They had stayed away because of the rivalry. He’d been the only one to come around, and had started an odd friendship with Mason at the same time.