Page 12 of Love in the Wild

The fire in Gage’s blood was dying. He could hear his own thoughts again, and the red around his vision was clearing. “You brought her here?”

“There were two paramedics there for the wedding. They took care of her until the ambulance arrived. Then I rode here with her. I’m not leaving her. They’ll come back to finish what they started.”

“They went after her because she defended you back then. Mom and I convinced her to leave. She promised she’d never come back, and as far as I know, this is the first time she’s broken that promise.”

Brett’s eyes widened. “She defended me? Of course she would! We were together. She knew me back then, and it shouldn’t have been a question, but I wish she hadn’t said anything.”

“I overheard you.”

“You didn’t overhear me confessing. Yes, I always hated how your dad treated Thea and her mom, but I didn’t pull the trigger or help in any way.”

“Your fingerprints were all over the gun, man.”

Brett threw his hand in the air. “I picked it up before Mark took it. I tried to hide it from him, but he found it. I’m fairly certain he hoped to pin it on me with that piece of evidence. I sent my own uncle to prison. Got him life without parole.”

“You could have been saving your own skin,” Gage pointed out.

“Whose side are you on?” Brett shouted.

“I don’t know!”

Well, that truth just slipped out. Brett most likely hadn’t done this to Thea, but he was the reason both families hated her. He could have walked away when he had the chance and kept her safe.

Brett chuckled. Gage tried to hide his own grin by rubbing a hand over his mouth.

“Are we on the same side?” Brett asked.

Gage shook his head. “I plead the fifth.”

“You know what they did to Thea is inexcusable.”

“That we can agree on. Trust me, they won’t get away with it.” Gage would have to bide his time, but someone would pay, even if it was his own kin.

Brett extended a hand, giving Gage a stare down. “I’m not saying this is a truce, but if anyone tries to hurt Thea again, they’ll have to go through me first.”

Gage pressed his lips together and stared at the offered hand. Taking up with Brett almost got Thea killed, and Gage was trying to save her, not get her into any more hot water. “I’ll do anything for Thea. I’m not sure I want to partner up with you though.”

Brett laughed. “I’m your only choice. I’m so caught up in this, I’ll never get out.”

Great, so Gage wouldn’t be getting rid of Brett the easy way. “I’m also not sure I can trust you.”

“Same.”

Gage studied the hand still hanging in the air between them. “Maybe we can make a deal.”

Brett pulled his hand back and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m listening.”

Gage studied every movement Brett made, searching for any deception. It was a risk to even give him this chance, but how else would he get Thea the protection she needed? “You keep her safe, and I’ll make sure they pay for what they did to her. Sound like a plan?”

Brett was silent for too long. This meeting needed to wrap up before anyone saw them together.

Gage extended his hand, forcing Brett to commit. “I’ll do anything for Thea. What about you?”

“Deal.” Brett clasped Gage’s hand and gave it a threatening squeeze.

Good. Gage needed to know he wasn’t trusting his sister’s life to a pansy who couldn’t shake hands like a man.

Gage glanced back toward Thea’s room, scratching the scruff on his jaw. “They might come here. They’ll claim they want to see her ‘cause they’re family.”

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