Page 145 of Slaughter

He sighs heavily. “Avery, I don’t know what you’re doing, but it’s not your fucking job.”

I stand from my seat and walk over to the desk and place my fisted knuckles on the cool surface. “What I’m doing does not concern you.”

“That’s the problem!” he snaps. “Tristan, is Presleigh fogging his mind? You had a chance at Damon, and you passed on it. Does she need …?”

“Don’t fucking say it!” I roar, interrupting him. “I’ll do whatever needs to be fucking done when I’m ready to do it.” I pick up the phone and slam it down, terminating the conversation. Then I begin to pace the room.

Tristan’s chair squeaks when he leans back in it. “He has a point. We’ve gotten off target.”

“We’re just fine.”

“Just as you gave Preston a deadline, we’ve been on one too. And we’re months over it.”

“I’m aware …”

“It’s not about the money. But you know it needs to be done.”

“I know!”

“Then what do you propose we do?”

I come to a stop and stare at my younger brother. He sits in his seat, his arms crossed over his chest. He has a black button-down on with black slacks. His dark hair is slicked back, and his blue eyes on mine. He’s nothing like me. He hides his emotions well. Growing up, Victor always knew I was angry and resented him. Even though Tristan felt the same way, he never showed it. He always did his own thing, and it drove Victor mad. He hated that he couldn’t control him. He didn’t have anything to hold over his head because Tristan just didn’t give a fuck. Victor tried to break him so many times—he has the physical scars to prove it—but he never did. I looked up to my younger brother. Where I tried to play my part before it came time to leave, my brother would spit in our father’s face while he whipped him.

“Avery?” he snaps.

I blink. “What?”

He frowns up at me. “Go get some sleep. We can discuss it tomorrow.”

“No. I’m fine.” I shake my head and sit back down. “What were we talking about?”

“A plan? You were about to tell me what we are gonna do?”

I sigh and undo the top two buttons of my shirt. “I’m not sure.”

“Look …” He pauses, and I know I’m not gonna like what he is about to say. “Maybe he was right. If you need to step back …”

“I’m fine.”

“Avery, I understand you are worried about Presleigh. Hell, I’m worried about Chloe, and she isn’t even involved. But I can handle this if you need to take time off …”

“Absolutely not!”

He sets his mouth in a hard line. A knock comes on the door, and he calls out, “Come in.”

Kayn enters, shutting the door behind him. He just stands there. “What do you need?” I growl.

“I called him in here,” Tristan announces.

“Why?” I ask.

“Because you need …”

“If you tell me I need to step back, I will knock your fucking head off,” I warn.

He throws his hands up. “I don’t know what to fucking do,” my brother snaps. “I’m trying to fucking help you.”

“I don’t want …”

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