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Gesturing grandly, Arin"

Cannon nodded to Rissy, who still hovered near the hallway "Rissy, youaround This could take a while"

Ar Fine, whatever

But why did it have to involve Rissy?

He didn’t want her anywhere near his sad excuse for a parent But again, if that’s what Cannon wanted

Relenting, he turned to her and held out a hand "Looks like the party is in here, Stretch, and apparently you’re invited"

"I REMEMBER YOU," Mac said "You and Armie were thick as thieves back in the day You liked to play his guardian angel, didn’t you? Always digging hi now as you were back then Not that I expected you to change" Cannon wished he could somehow make this easier on Armie, but with a father like his, that wasn’t possible

"Yeah," Mac murmured, "that’s how you always told it"

It all had to be connected: threats against Arainst his sister, and now, after so enerate dad suddenly knocked on his door

"Let’s go to the kitchen," Cannon said, doing what he could to keep things civil "Rissy, is that coffee I smell?"

"Yes, and there’s soo first, then Armie, then Mac No way in hell would he trust Armie’s dad at his back

Unfortunately, Macit up and then laughing "Yours?" he asked Ar, Rissy snatched it away from him "It’s mine"

Mac looked at Ar Are usually included profanities, Cannon told Mac, "You’ll watch your mouth in front of my sister"

"Sister?"

With a deadly stare that held clear warning, Cannon nodded "That’s right"

"Da that itch a little close to home, aren’t you?"

Armie made a move, and Cannon clasped his shoulder "This is onthat, Arht "Insult her again and I’ll take you apart and there’s not a godda Cannon will do about it"

Mac held up both hands "Jesus, boy It was just an observation" He stepped back, and then took a seat, his gaze darting everywhere "Don’t suppose I could get a cup of that coffee, too?"

Rissy refilled her and Ar one before Mac She took the seat across from him, and Armie stood at her side--which meant Cannon had to stand, too, because he didn’t trust Armie’s mood He looked ready to launch at Mac with any provocation at all

"Why are you here?" Cannon asked after everyone had tasted their coffee

"If I say that’s between my boy and me, would it matter?"

Armie and Cannon said, "No," at al forward, Mac put his folded arms on the table and took another shifty look around the rooured we could help each other"

"No"

Exasperated, Cannon asked Ar about?"

Armie didn’t look like he wanted to, but he held silent