by Eden Summers
Neither one of them speak. Both remain silent while I compound their crimes.
“That’s how your scheme got fucked up, right? Robert got involved? You gave him information,” I sneer at my brother, all vicious teeth and seething hatred. “Tell me you gave him insight on Penny. Tell me and I’ll end this now.”
He doesn’t answer, and I don’t pause in my response. I nudge Layla out of the way with my shoulder and swing a fist, my knuckle pounding into Benji’s gut.
He hunches, coughing, spitting.
Layla wails, her ragged breaths pathetic when coupled with her corruption.
I lean close to my brother’s ear as he clasps his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. “Tell me.”
“Fuck you,” he chokes. “I didn’t tell him jack shit about her.”
“You’re a liar.” I see red. I feel it. There’s only heat and rage and mindlessness as I raise my fist again.
“Stop, Luca,” Layla cries. “Please. He didn’t give any information to Robert. It wasn’t him. I did it. I told Robert where they were.”
My brother pauses his recovery, the shock on his raising face seeming genuine as he looks at his wife. “No, you didn’t.” He shakes his head. “You wouldn’t.”
“I didn’t have a choice. He threatened to tell Cole everything. And you kept refusing to give him information. You thought you could handle it on your own. You were going to get yourself killed.”
“She’s lying.” Benji looks at me. “She had no idea where I was. Nobody did. But it’s true about that fucker threatening us. He’s going to tell everyone. That’s why I was late yesterday. I was trying to find him and fix this myself.”
I glance between them, having no clue which one is bluffing. “I swear to God, if I don’t get the full story, without contradictory bullshit, I’m going to lose my shit.”
“I already told you.” Layla’s tear-soaked eyes plead with me. “I had Benji’s location on my phone. I always do.”
“Like hell,” he spits. “I was using a burner.”
“Yes, but you had your main cell with you. In your bag or the car. I don’t know where exactly, but it was with you, Benji. I’m not lying.” The first tear escapes as her lips tremble. “I did this. I’m responsible for that woman’s death. And for the attack yesterday. It’s my fault.”
I stare at her. At the beautiful face that hid those sinister actions.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Benji collapses against the wall. “Why the fuck—”
“Because you wouldn’t have given him what he wanted. You were more likely to come clean to Cole,” she sobs. “I had no choice. I did it to protect Stella.”
“You did it to protect yourself,” I snap. “To protect your perfect fucking life in your perfect fucking house—”
Benji straightens, shoving from the wall to pull Layla into his side. “What’s it matter? The damage is done now. We need to move on. We can bury this.”
“Bury it?” My head fucking throbs. “And then what? Wait for Robert to come after Penny?”
He scoffs. “You barely know her.”
I gnash my teeth to the point of pain. Clench my fists until my knuckles burn. I could kill him. Right now. In this moment. I could retrieve the gun from my waistband and shoot him for his blatant disregard for her life.
“This is my family, Luc. My daughter.”
“If you tell her, it’s one more loose end,” Layla pleads. “If Cole finds out, he won’t hold me accountable. He’ll blame everything on Benji. He won’t care that it was my fault.”
“That’s because your husband is a grown-ass man who never should’ve done this in the first place. Now tell me what else you told that son of a bitch.”
The back door swings open and Hunt and Sarah step outside, their curiosity switching between the three of us.
“What are you doing here?” Hunt directs at me. “Aren’t you meant to be at Torian’s with the klepto?”
I ignore the taunt as they continue down the stairs, the door banging shut behind them.
“Who died?” Sarah asks.
“Nobody,” I sneer. “I’m just trying to have a conversation with my brother.”
“Must be a serious conversation.” She plasters her hands on her hips, all smug and superior. “I’m sensing a wealth of hostility.”
The door squeaks opens again, and I curse under my breath at the added audience. It isn’t until I glance up to see who it is that my world drops.
Penny.
Her gaze treks over me, from my clenched fists and intimidating stance to the stupid asshole in front of me who bears the brunt of my anger.
It takes a brief second for her expression to change. From curiosity to horror, the color draining from her features.
“It was him,” she whispers, still holding the door as if unsure whether to flee back inside. “It was your brother.”
Benji’s gaze bores into the side of my face as her eyes beg for answers.
I don’t know what to say. I don’t know how to fix this.
My brother has dragged us into a mess I can’t even comprehend, and all I want to do is get her out of it.
“Shorty, I need you to go back inside for a few more…”
My words drift off as Torian comes up behind her, still wearing the mask of hospitable exuberance he always radiates at these functions. He shows no shock at the gathering. No surprise at all at his sister’s tears.
“Why did the party move to the parking lot?” He reaches over Penny’s shoulder, opening the door wide to get out.
Decker follows a few steps behind. “What the hell are you doing here, Pen?”
Nobody speaks. Nobody moves.
“Don’t look at me.” Hunt raises his hands. “Sarah and I came out here to fuck.”
Torian stops at my side. “Do I need to ask again? Why is my sister upset?
“It’s been a long week, Cole.” Layla sniffs. “I’m overemotional. That’s all.”
I fight the need to glare at her as Penny cautiously descends the stairs. Her approach is slow, but her head is high, her shoulders straight. She’s preparing for battle.
I start toward her, needing—more than anything—to get her out of here. “We came for a drive to see if we could catch a glimpse of Penny’s parents. We’re leaving now.”
“You’re not going anywhere until I have answers,” Torian’s tone is calm as he lashes out to grab my arm in a white-knuckle grip. “Tell me why my sister is crying.”
My pulse detonates.
His hand on me is enough to push my rage beyond my control.
My lip curls with the restriction. The hair on the back of my neck rises.
“Just drop it.” Layla wipes her nose with the side of her hand. “I had a fight with my husband. That’s all. It’s none of your business.”
Torian ignores her, and my brother, too. Instead, he pins me with his narrowed stare, wordlessly siphoning the truth.
“Get your fucking hand off me.” I yank my arm from his hold and reach into my pocket, retrieving my car fob. “Sarah, I need you to take Penny back to the house. I don’t want her parents seeing her before she’s—”
“No.” Penny shakes her head. “I’m not going anywhere.”
I walk to her, not stopping until we’re toe to toe. Chest to chest. I wrap my arms around her and pull her so damn close my mouth is a breath from her ear as I whisper, “I need you to do this for me. Trust me.”
She stiffens and draws back until those frantic eyes meet mine.
A myriad of thoughts dance in those dark depths. There are questions. Accusations. Fears. I can hear them all, the volume deafening.
“I’ll follow soon.” I mark the lie with a quick kiss.
God only knows if I’m going to get out of this to see her again. And from her gasped exhale, I think she knows it, too.
“I don’t have all fucking night,” Torian seethes. “We have guests to return to. Get her the hell out of here, Sarah.”
Penny’s eyes widen as she shakes her head. “Please, Luca.”
“Go. Everything will be okay.” It’s another lie. After weeks of priding myself on telling her the truth, I’m now tainting this thing we have between us. “Make sure the car on the side street follows you.”
“I’ll take care of it.” Sarah comes up behind her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders to lead her away.
Penny’s first step is fumbled, her feet stumbling before she sucks in a deep breath and continues on her own. Everything in her expression speaks of sorrow, the pain marrow deep, but I remain quiet, stiff, my focus returning to the group as the two women climb into my car and slam the doors.
“Someone better start talking,” Torian warns. “I want to know what the fuck is going on.”
“Color me curious, too,” Hunt drawls. “The suspense is killing me.”
Benji keeps his mouth shut as Sarah drives from the parking lot, the purr of the second car starting moments later.
It’s Layla who crumples as she turns to face her brother. “It was a misunderstanding. I thought he was cheating on me.”
Jesus.
Fuck.
Not this bullshit again.
I fight a telling reaction. I force myself not to close my eyes at the compounding lies. I use all my strength to hold back a sneer. But the weight of Decker’s gaze bores into me from the top of the steps. He’s reading me, his narrowed stare demanding the truth.
“I’ve set her straight.” Benji wraps an arm around his wife’s waist. “She was paranoid with me being away too long.”
“Is that right?” Torian straightens to his full height, all regal and superior. “Why do I have a feeling you’re lying?”
“I swear on my life, I’m not cheating on her.” Benji holds up a hand in surrender. “I never would.”
I mentally scoff. His life isn’t worth dick. Cheating or not.
“Layla,” Torian warns. “Tell me the truth.”
“I am.” Her throat works over a heavy swallow, her guilt clear for everyone to see. “He’s not cheating.”
“Shit. This is serious.” Hunt inches closer. “What’s going on? And why wasn’t I involved?”
“Stay out of this,” I warn. “The last thing this night needs is your commentary.”
“Touchy much?”
“Quit the shit.” Torian raises his voice. “You realize this neighborhood is being watched, right? I told you all I’d have men everywhere. Did you think about that when you were having your domestic argument out in the open air?”
He’s bluffing.
“Do you want to know the updates texted to me while I was inside trying to entertain our guests?” he continues. “Want me to show you?”
They’re lies.
We kept our voices down. The guard in the silver sedan would’ve only seen the fight. Nobody would’ve heard us. But fuck. I wouldn’t stake my life on it.
Everyone falls silent as I struggle to come up with a plan. I need to get Benji out of here. We only need a head start.
“You look tense, Luc.” Torian’s tone is threatening. “Want me to take a guess at why?”
“I fucked up.” Benji speaks before I get the chance. “Luca’s not involved.”
“Shut your mouth,” I warn.
“It’s true.” He straightens, raising his chin. “I need to take responsibility.”
“I said, shut the fuck up, Ben.” I glare at him.
“Please, Benji.” Layla grabs his wrist. “We’ll talk about this at home.”
“No, you’ll talk about it here.” Torian steps closer to my brother. “Now.”
“He stole money,” I mutter. “He stole money from me and I’m pissed. That’s all this is—a family matter. It’s nobody else’s business.”
“No, fuck that.” Benji holds Torian’s stare. “I betrayed you. I went behind your back and—”
Before the sentence is finished, Cole pulls a gun from his waistband and places the barrel to my brother’s forehead.
I don’t move, not an inch, as Layla screams, the piercing shriek slicing through my throbbing skull.
“Keep talking,” Torian sneers.
“I was a rat for your father.”
“No.” Layla falls to her knees, her manic sobs increasing. “It was me. I did this. I made this mess.”
Torian’s aim doesn’t waiver from Benji’s head as I take in my potential opponents—Hunter with his chest puffed out, his fingers twitching at his sides, and Decker whose face is emotionless, not a hint of anger.
“I need everyone to calm down.” I step closer to Benji only to have Hunter’s attention snap to me.
“Back off.” He points a finger at me in warning. “Stay out of this.”
“I can’t.” I shake my head. “He’s my brother—”
“He’s going to be your dead brother if he doesn’t start talking a lot faster.” Torian jabs the gun barrel into Benji. “Spill it all, you son of a bitch.”
“It was me.” Layla tugs on his trousers. “I caused this. I begged him to do it. Dad made me believe—”
“Don’t worry. I already assumed Luther convinced you I was worthless,” Torian snarls. “You had no faith in me.”
“It was a long time ago.” She slowly drags herself to her feet, tentatively reaching for the gun, only to be shoved away.
“Get inside. I’ll deal with you later.”
“Cole, please listen.”
“So help me God, Layla, if you don’t walk back into that restaurant and pretend this never happened, I will make you regret bringing a daughter into this world.”
She gasps, her tear-streaked face losing color. “What does that—”
“Now.”
“Do what he says.” Benji jerks his chin at her. “Go.”
“No.” She shakes her head, frenzied. “This was my fault. My decision. I did this, Cole. Not him.”
“Either get inside or watch your husband die.”
Fuck.
I reach for my gun, prepared to aim at Torian, when Hunter makes the same move. I turn my attention to him instead, both of us staring down the barrel of the other.
“Fucking hell.” Decker jumps down the stairs. “Why don’t we all take a breath and get the story straight before we start turning on each other?”
Torian ignores him. “On your knees,” he demands of Benji.
“I said, get the story straight first.” Decker pulls out his gun, placing it to the back of Torian’s head.
Holy fucking shit. It’s a Mexican standoff.
No winners. All losers.
Layla stumbles backward, shaking, sobbing, her hand raising to cover her mouth.
“What the hell are you doing, Deck?” Hunt snaps. “Lower your fucking gun.”
“I can’t.” He shrugs. “Cole’s protecting his family, and I’m protecting mine.”
“How the fuck do you figure that?”
“If Benji dies, Luca could be next by association. And unfortunately, my sister has caught feelings for that asshole, which means he’s as good as family to me. I can’t stand by and let this happen. Not until the full story is heard.”
30
Penny
I stare into the distance, my body heavy as I struggle not to throw up.
I know what I saw back there.
Luca had been blindsided. By his brother.
I feel it in my gut; Benji is Dodge. I just can’t bring myself to believe it. That truth would have major consequences and I don’t want to contemplate any of them.
“Want to talk about it?” Sarah gives me a sympathetic look from behind the wheel as we turn and head down a street I’m unfamiliar with.
“No.” I glance over my shoulder, checking to make sure the silver sedan is behind us.
“Don’t worry; he’s following. He won’t leave us.” Sarah gives another one of those pitying looks. “I’m just taking a more populated route home instead of the fastest.”
I nod and settle into my seat, not seeing a
nything but the scene back in the parking lot as we pass block after block.
I can’t get Luca’s stricken face out of my head. The anger. The agony. I want to be there with him. By his side. Learning the truth.
“Your parents are nice,” Sarah murmurs. “Quiet, but doting. They seemed to have had a great time driving around the country in their RV.”
I don’t answer. Not only because the inane chitchat is life-draining, but because I can’t add thoughts of my parents to the washing machine of turmoil building inside me.
I want her to take me to Luca. I need to know what’s going on.
I’m about to ask her to turn around when a car horn blares behind us, the flashing lights of high beams illuminating the interior.
I rise in my seat, blinded by the car behind us as a white truck speeds past on the wrong side of the road. I panic, bracing for an attack when it turns down the next street, practically on two tires.
“It’s okay.” Sarah gives me a half-hearted smile. “Just another asshole who doesn’t know how to drive.”
No, it’s an omen. A stark sign I’m heading in the wrong direction.
“I have to go back.” I clear my throat as we approach an intersection, still able to hear the screeching truck in the distance. “I need to talk to Luca.”
“Take my phone.” She grabs her cell from her jeans pocket and hands it over. “Call him.”
“I don’t want to call him. I need to see him.”
She ignores me, pulling to a stop at a red light. The longer she remains silent, the more I hear the taunting sounds of that truck, the squeak of rubber, the rev of the engine.
The noise adds to my urgency, pushing me to hurry up and get to Luca. “Please, Sarah. Turn us around.”
The light changes to green and she accelerates.
“Sarah, I want—”
Tires shriek.
A horn blasts behind us.
We reach the middle of the juncture, my focus moving from Sarah to the beaming lights barreling toward us from her side window. “Sarah,” I scream. “The truck.”
I brace for impact, my hands white-knuckling the seat. But it’s not enough to stop the force slamming through me.
My airbag deploys, knocking the oxygen from my lungs, belting me in the face.