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"Why are you doing this?" His father yanked on his shirt with his big callused hand--a nervous habit that had endured the years

"Because his heart ry if he didn’t," Zethan supplied

His father didn’t react to Zethan’s coht-through-you expression that ca rambunctious boys "That’s not the entire reason"

"Let’s just say it will be beneficial for Ixia Despite the ru uard the interests of Ixia" And my family But Valek wouldn’t voice that aloud "Go on" He shooed the ti a bit dazed Needing to hts and eate He fed theroolowed

A door banged behind hi in the tannery’s entrance was Patxi, one of his corp The estured Patxi over

The tall eted under Valek’s scrutiny "Sorry, boss, but this was the best way to protect your family I’m with your father all day and sleep in the rooht here"

"And Milya?"

"She helps in the house and stays in the guest roo ago When you assign new agents, we just take over the jobs You can’t be too surprised, sir You had to get your canny intuition froo--nice tactic "Do you wish to be reassigned?"

"No I’ve a feeling your visit today is going to cause a bit of a probleet into any trouble"

"Is he a troublehter And stubborn Won’t back down ever I’ve taught hi co "Recruitment potential?"

"Yes And now he knows you’re his brother, it’s probably safer for hi"

"Okay Thanks"

Patxi nodded and returned to the tannery By the ti low in the sky Nohat? Having no desire to see what had changed inside the tannery, Valek looped around it

The three graves remained in the place that was scarred into his ranite headstones lined up in a row--Victor, Viliam and Vincent At the end sat another, smaller stone without a name Had his parents put that there to represent him? Perhaps it was better to believe that he was dead instead of an abomination

But his father’s words--welcome home, son--didn’t match that sentiment However, the knife in his rave Running his fingers over the cold stone, Valek envisioned Vincent’s face Grief surged through him Valek wondered for the millionth time how his life would have been different if his brothers had lived An idyllic scene with all of thee dining roo Histhe next generation how to tan and dye leather