Page 76 of Sins

“Brick, don’t let this fuckin’ nuthin’ twist you up. It’s all bullshit.” Trigger pulled out a joint then moved to the wall. I saw Minnie move a little closer to Brick.

“Kenna, will you fill them in on the rest?” Simon’s asked, his eyes desperate.

I grabbed Kenna’s arm when I felt her move. All eyes shifted to her.

“I believe him.” Kenna pulled her arm away. “His cellmate was a Poten. They helped him get out, and in exchange, he gave them information on my father.”

“I never asked to be a part of any of it,” Simon pleaded. “I’m just trying to get my life back. Now that Cameron’s dead, I thought I could, but here I am right in the middle of it again.”

“Did you have any intention of ever letting me know who you were?” Brick looked stricken.

“No.” Simon squeezed his eyes shut. “I’m sorry, Brick. I can see how this looks, but you’re connected to the one thing I want nothing to do with. The Devil’s Reach stole nearly a decade of my life. We’re so different. We grew up in two different worlds, and we want very different things. We’re better off being strangers.”

Brick looked at Trigger and chuckled. “Well, I guess we can agree on that.” He reached out his hand and offered it to Simon, who looked at it cautiously. Brick helped him to his feet. “I spentyears looking for you, years thinking I was missing something in my life, and now I see that was a huge mistake.” He pulled his arm back and punched Simon straight in the face. He flew back and hit the floor, out cold. Brick looked at Trigger. “Let him go.”

“You sure?” Morgan asked.

“It’s for me, not him.”

Brick reached for Minnie, wrapped his arms around her, and buried his face in her neck. I glanced at Kenna. I understood the need to hold something that would ground you. Her hand slipped back into mine and gave it a squeeze. She got me.

Trigger nodded. “Your choice.”

Rail stepped up and held out his hands. “What do we do with Dave?” Rail looked worried, and Morgan looked at him in shock. “I mean, the guy’s okay, even if he was used as a fake brother ploy. I’ve spent some time with him. He deserves more than to be dropped off in a Walmart parking lot. I know he can’t stay, but…”

“I’ll deal with him,” Trigger said. “I got a place in mind.”

Rail rubbed the back of his neck. “I want to be there when you do.” Trigger nodded and caught my eye. It wasn’t often Rail showed interest in anything except the female form, so Dave must have left his mark on him.

Brick whispered something to Minnie, then the two of them turned toward the door. Minnie looked excitedly at Kenna as they left.

“Morgan,” Trigger chin-pointed at Simon, “wake the bastard.” Morgan waved some chewing tobacco under his nose, and he jolted awake. “Simon,” Trigger loomed over him, and he pulled himself into a ball like the coward he was, “Brick mighta saved your fuckin’ life, but if you step out of line once, I’ll crush your fuckin’ bones, one-at-a-fucking-time.”

“Yes. Okay.” Simon’s head bobbed, and Trigger looked over at me with an annoyed expression.

“Yeah, I know, Trig. It’s a lot to process. Who could’ve ever imagined Cameron’s people had a direct connection to yours? You can’t make this shit up.”

“Ca-can I go?” Simon felt around for his glasses then seemed to second guess himself and deliberately tossed them aside as he blinked at us.

“Morgan,” Trigger looked toward the door, “get Simon back upstairs and out of our sight.”

“What are you gonna do with the fake brother?” Rail asked again.

“Guy I know has a ranch. He hires people with mental shit goin’ on, disabilities and the like. He’ll be taken care of.” Rail smiled and nodded, then suddenly looked excited.

“I’m going back up to find another of those fancy coconut drinks.” He grinned. “I mean, the party’s not over.” He rushed out the door.

When we returned, the fashion show was in full swing. Rail greeted us with a loud slurp as he pulled hard on his bendy straw.

I shook my head and looked at Kenna, who seemed to be in a trance.

“You good?”

“I’m suddenly very tired.” I could tell this news bothered her, and mix that with the pregnancy, she must be beat.

“I see Yen. I’ll let him know you’re not coming back.” I kissed her head. “Let’s go home.”

Sonny never did show his face.

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