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PROLOGUE

Tires squealed as a sleek, silver Jaguar shot out onto the highway An unsuspecting car cruising along sla The four brothers sitting in the Jaguar didn’t give a da

This wasn’t unusual

They continued speeding along, trying to outrun the de over a hundredon, faster and faster

It wasn’t quick enough They kept on going until they hit the edge of town in Bay Harbor, Washington, where they found a dilapidated bar with a blinking neon sign that had some of the letters burned out

Cooper, as driving, jerked the steering wheel and ca “Good enough,” he said His fists clenched with the urge to hit so, or better yet, someone

“Yep,” his brother replied from the backseat

Getting out of the car, they er in their gait—a swagger that h young, the Ar brothers already had a reputation in their s up trouble

When they entered a roo back at theht and the last ones standing

They ealthy, and not above flashing their fat wallets, Rolex watches, and extravagant cars They were also arrogant and hot-tempered, a foursome to both be leery of and look at with awe Cooper was the oldest at twenty-four, each of his brothers one year, almost to the date, behind him: Nick at twenty-three, Maverick at twenty-two, and Ace, the baby, at twenty-one

On this night, though, they were looking for more than just the usual trouble They were out for blood, but the de them was relentless, and nothey couldn’t outrun

Their father was dying

Maybe it was the feeling of helplessness or est ones in a room Whatever it was, Cooper, Nick, Maverick, and Ace were scared, and because they wouldn’t admit that, they were trouble to anyone in their path

This band of brothers had always been revered as much as they’d been feared They were tall, lean, and had distinct green eyes that hid their innerhts but shone with a sparkle that most couldn’t resist

Walking indoors, Cooper sighed in anticipation Smoke filled the air as loud music echoed off the walls A few heads turned in their direction, and Cooper scoped the partner

The nervous energy rising off hiave hihtest reason would feel the wrath of his heartbreak, denial, and feeling of helplessness

As if the patrons knew this group was up to no good, they cast their eyes doard, particularly annoying Cooper in their weakness to accept the challenge radiating off his entire body

The boys ordered beers, then leaned against the bar, facing out as they scanned the crowd None of theht

Cooper was thinking they ive up on this place and find a new location when his gaze captured the angry look of a uy and practically saw stea his way toward them Cooper’s fists clenched with the need to punch

“You’re the Arht?”

The lazed-over eyes narrowed Cooper stood at full attention This just ht be the huckleberry he’d been in search of

“Yep,” Coop said, not altering his stance at all

“I hear your daddy’s on his deathbed” The lee

Maybe the , but instantly the four brothers stepped a bit closer to one another, their knuckles cracking, their collective breath hissing out

“Maybe you shouldn’t listen to gossip,” Maverick said in a lol

“Oh, I don’t think it’s gossip You see, your daddy has run over et to the top of thatthe early death he deserves”

Nick instantly stepped away from the bar, but Cooper shot his hand out and stopped hi at me, Nick,” he said, his tone deathly low

His brothers shot hi Cooper deal with his demons, and the drunken bastard before them, at the same time

“Dave, co her hand on his arm

“Get the hell off ofher away

Cooper’s fingers twitched in anticipation He wanted to deck this asshole even ht with a man, but to push a lady around was never acceptable

“Maybe you should lay off the lady,” Maverick said He wanted to push forward and take Cooper’s place Cooper looked at hi him to do so

“Maybe you should keep your damn mouth shut,” Dave said to Mav

“This is Cooper’s fight,” Nick rean to shake with the need to hit this piece of scum

Dave turned away froain on Cooper “Are you just like your daddy, boy? Do you like living off thetheir asses for your family in those crap factories?” GUE