Page 34 of Magnetic God

“Is it?” His eyebrow lifts. “It’s been two weeks since anyone has heard from you.”

I snort. That can’t be true.

“Check your calendar, Brooks.”

He’s got to be shitting me, but I glance at my lock screen on my phone. And then I curse.

“I’m assuming you’ve done nothing but drink during that time.”

“Oh, what makes you think that?”

“First, it reeks like booze in here. Second, there are bottles everywhere. Third, I know you, Brooks. This is how you handle the hard shit.”

I glare, but he’s right. I reek. There are bottles strung about my living room. And this is how I’ve always handled the hard shit.

“I never asked for this.” I run my hand over my face. “Jesus. Haven’t I given them enough?”

Ace lets me vent for a bit. Finally, he says, “I know it’s not what you want to hear, but it makes sense. You’re the Face of the Brotherhood.”

I scoff, but he’s not done.

“Marrying Smith’s widow makes sense, too. It shows that we take care of our own. It also keeps her money at the disposal of the Brotherhood.”

“And I’m the only person she’ll consider?”

At his nod, I let out a string of curses that would make a sailor blush.

“Feel better?”

“Fuck no. I need another drink.” I think. “Fuck it. I want the entire bottle.”

“Easy, Brooks. Let’s think this through before you end up on TV for drunk and disorderly conduct.”

The again is unspoken.

“Listen to you, Mr. Elite Member, being all diplomatic and shit. I can vividly remember a time when you would have fought something like this tooth and nail.”

His jaw tics. “I’d like to point out that you, too, are now an Elite Member, which is why this makes sense. Marry Jacqueline. Uphold your duty to the Brotherhood and then go on with your life.”

“Funny, you didn’t have the same motto when the Brotherhood wanted Isa to marry Russo.”

A dark look flashes across his face, but he knows I’m right.

“Listen, I didn’t put up a fight when they insisted that I got married when I was in my twenties and had no business settling down. I did as they ordered when my dearest estranged wife claimed she was pregnant and got back with her, even though it was against my better judgement.” My throat is tight as I force out the next part. “I hurt an innocent woman who deserved better than what I gave her. And now this? When is enough enough?”

“That’s what this is about, isn’t it? It’s about?—”

“Don’t you dare say her fucking name.” My voice is hoarse with emotion.

Ace’s gaze is sympathetic. “Brooks, you know I understand better than anyone what it’s like to lose the girl.”

“But you got yours back. Not only that, but the Brotherhood didn’t bat an eye because Isa brought something to the table. I’m stuck marrying an icy bitch while the one I love is out there, somewhere, thinking the worst of me.”

Ace is silent. I reach for the bottle on the coffee table and finish it.

Finally, he asks, “Have you tried to find her? Get some closure?”

A tortured laugh leaves my lips. “Yes, I’ve tried to find her. It’s like she fell off the face of the earth after…” After I broke her heart. “She doesn’t want to be found; it seems.”

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