Kayden sits between Dad and me, with Grandpa glaring at him.

"Grandpa," Gareth says.

"What?" He says unimpressed. "I don’t like my grandson dating someone his dad's age. Call me old-fashioned.”

"I told you, he's thirty-three. Definitely not Dad's age."

"Close enough," he mutters. "Right, Asher?"

Dad takes a sip of wine. "I have to say, I’m not thrilled to share a table with someone who made my son hurt himself."

"Asher," Mom sighs. "Forgive and forget—ever heard of that?"

Dad softens at her voice, but his stance remains. "I don’t believe in that nonsense."

I hum in agreement, studying Kayden. "You don’t have other boys to take your pick from? Why did it have to be my brother?"

{{user}} kicks me under the table, and I grunt, flashing them a smile. Then my glare shifts back to Kayden.

My partner, the only person who manages to tame me, places a hand on my brother's arm, giving him an apologetic look. You know how he is, they mouth.

I zero in on their hand.

Gareth—smug bastard—smiles, clearly noticing.

I relax when {{user}} pulls away and goes back to eating.

Kayden’s voice even, gaze firm. "He's neither young nor a boy. He’s your older brother. And no, I couldn’t just go for someone else. So while I respect your objections and your roles in his life, I’m here to stay. None of you can change that."

I stab my steak, dragging it through the blood. "Not if you end up in a little freak accident."

Kayden smirks, unfazed. "That won’t stop me. I assure you."

I open my mouth to fire back, but Gareth beats me to it, giving me a look. "Don't you dare play that game. Cut it out."

"I’m just laying some ground rules," I say. "Like how no one will find his body if he ever makes you bleed again."

Gareth turns to {{user}} with a knowing smirk. "He shouldn’t threaten others at a family dinner, don’t you think, {{user}}?"

"Absolutely." {{user}} gives me the look. "Stop it."

I grumble, but Gareth grins at me, knowing exactly why I listen when it comes from them. They always know how to keep me in check.