"If she insists on keeping that animal, the least she can do is behave respectfully and stop shacking up with this limping has-been." A.J. gasped and watched as Devlin, who had been silent, closed the distance between himself and Peter. Her step-brother's response was priceless. He looked like someone who'd stepped into the path of an avalanche. "I'm going to do you a favor," Devlin growled, "and forget you ever said that." Turning to A.J. and her father, he continued with a disarming softness. "I think this argument is best left between family members. However astounding it is to witness the collective wisdom of the Sutherlands, I'd rather do something more constructive. Like watch paint dry." He turned and began walking away. A.J. immediately went after him, reaching out and taking his arm. "I'm sorry he's such a--" Devlin carefully removed her hand. "I think you better settle this with your family first. Then we can deal with what's going on between you and me." After he'd dissolved into the crowd, A.J. wheeled on her stepbrother. "If I didn't think he'd give you a shiner that would clash with your Day-Glo tie, I'd demand you go and apologize."