Page 28 of Broken Trust

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Imma Jean snorts. “How’s that different from any other day?”

Cabe looks offended. “I’m a growing boy.”

She pats his cheek. “Yes, you are.”

I laugh.

Then Cabe gestures toward his brothers. “Remember these two?”

“As if I could forget,” I say.

Royce’s eyes land on me. He blinks, and then his gaze sweeps over me. “Well, damn.”

I groan. “What?”

“Little Jojo. I wouldn’t have known it was you if you’d walked past me on the street.”

My cheeks warm. “Thanks?”

“No, really.” He smiles. “You’re as pretty as ever.”

Imma Jean laughs. “You ol’ flirt,” she muses.

Irene laughs.

Cabe groans.

Royce looks delighted with himself.

Axle simply watches the exchange.

Then he gives me a quiet smile and a small chin lift.

Nothing more.

Very Axle.

Always has been.

I swear, the man has spoken approximately twelve words to me since I’ve known him.

“Hi, Axle.”

“Jovie.”

That’s it.

One word.

Exactly as expected.

I smile. “You three look more alike every year,” I say.

Cabe scoffs. “Please. I’m way prettier than both of them.”

Royce immediately punches him in the shoulder. Hard. “You wish.”

Cabe rubs his arm. “I am undeniably the attractive one,” he quips.

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