Page 5 of Brutal Lies

But when his blood warms my fingertips, I snap out of my daze and answer my brother honestly. “I don’t know. But I’m going to try and save him.”

I reluctantly glance toward Bren’s pale face, his lips parted, and his eyes closed. He appears peaceful, but I know better. Dead or alive, my brother will be kicking and fighting, determined to come back to us.

Come back to Sky and his boys.

And I will do everything in my power to make that happen.

His face merges with that of my younger brother Keenan’s. When I discovered my wife named our son after him, I was angry but for all the wrong reasons. Now, I couldn’t be prouder, he gets to live on through my son. My best friend.

I spent too many years wallowing in self-pity, the guilt of losing my brother due to my own negligence. It nearly cost me everything I treasure. I refuse to let this cost me a damn thing.

“He’s with you, Con. And he’s proud of you.” Oscar’s voice is emotional—unlike him. And I know it comes from a place of guilt, that I’m here right now and not him. He likes to protect us. All of us. It’s what he does best, so when he tells me Keenan is by my side, I know he tells me what I need to hear, but part of me thinks he believes it too.

Emotion clogs in my throat, making it difficult for me to construct words, but when I do, I say them with confidence.

“You’re not dying on me, Bren. I refuse to lose another brother!” I scream at him as my emotions overpower me, then tears spill down my face, and I welcome them as I press thematerial of his pants into the gunshot wounds on his chest. My eyes lock onto his babies’ names, and I choke on the turmoil as memories of my brother with his kids assaults my mind. I squeeze my eyes closed when Keenan’s face flashes in front of me, and how he would try to football tackle Bren to the ground. Always the strength in our family, always the protector.

“You understand me, you big ass motherfucker!” I press down harder, but my arms shake with devastation. “Come on, Bren. We fucking need you. I need you!” I admit. “Sky needs you, your babies need you!” The thought of the boys and Sky has pure determination kicking in. I refuse to fucking lose him. My teeth grind.

I refuse to give up on another brother.

Blood seeps through to my fingertips, and I bite into my lip, and my jaw sets as my eyes bore down on the continuous flow of blood coating my wrists.

“I refuse to lose you.” A tear falls down my cheek, and I ignore the sob screaming to be released. I will not break down. No, I will remain strong.

“Don’t do this to me, Bren,” I plead as my tears mingle with his blood.

“Don’t do it to them,” I grit out.

I’m going to fucking save him.

Like they saved me.

I will save him for his girl and babies.

I will save him for myself.

Chapter

Four

TIA

My vision becomes hazy, and my hands loosen on the steering wheel as I veer off the road, then just as quickly right myself. “Tia! Do you need hospitalization?”

The guy—Oscar—barks through the SUV speaker system, making me jolt and bringing me back to my senses.

My lip wobbles, and I can’t help the sniffle that escapes me. “I just want to go home.”

“I have a doctor waiting for you at the safehouse, along with your loved ones.” His voice doesn’t give away a hint of sympathy, but his words speak volumes.

“Thank you.” I sob through tears.

He clears his throat. “Just continue to follow the directions. I’m tracking you, and you’re not in any danger.” He speaks very monotone, with no emotion, and I wonder if he always works in rescue missions.

Glancing at the satnav and seeing I have twenty-seven minutes left to travel, has me pressing down on the accelerator, and as I do so, I think about the man I left behind.

The one who gave his life to save mine.

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