Page 70 of What Lies Within

“It’ll take time,” I whisper. “For this to pass. But you know what?” I smooth the cap of her T-shirt over her shoulder. “You’re strong enough to do this, babe. You’re the toughest, most badass woman I know. If anyone can beat this, you can.”

Her left hand crosses her body, seeking out mine, and my chest clenches tight as Maddie slides her fingers between mine. She anchors herself with my hand, tucking them against her ribs. She might not have spoken a word, but there isn’t a thing to be said that would be more meaningful than this.

Than my best friend relaxing, body slack as she leans against me to fall asleep.

I may not be able to love myself in the moment, but at least I can love her.

28

TYKE

"What's the rundown?" I rock back on my bike, arms folded, and study the property across the road.

Hammer leans his ass against his ride; head ducked as he lights a cigarette. "Ronan's not with him." He pauses so the flame can catch the bobbing tip. "Connor's left to distract Terry from what's happenin', but I think either the guy doesn't know or doesn't give a shit if he's left Fox without his watchdog." He shrugs. "Don't have a head count on who's inside, but." The snap of his Zippo punctuates the facts.

“Whose property is this?”

“Rental.” Minion stands between us, arms folded high on his chest and feet wide. “It ain’t in his name, but the intel I’ve got is that he’s here on the regular.”

I frown at the nondescript single-level dwelling. The old man left each of us a parcel of land when he passed, and, as the oldest, Fox's came with an old two-bedroom farmhouse. Rundown, sure, but perfect for using as a bachelor pad. A little TLC and the place would have fixed up just fine. Shit, I would have liked it, considering it had a purpose-built barn out the back equipped with a bike hoist and a workshop.

"Is that car the only one here?" I nod toward a beaten-up turquoise sedan that looks as though it hasn't moved in weeks, considering the grass that tufts around the wheels.

“As far as we can see.”

Kane rises from where he’s seated beside his brother on the curb, shoulders rolling back to pop his spine before he strolls my way. "We doing this, or what?" My oldest pulls to a stop in front of Minion, ignoring the broad fucker's stare, eyeing me where I sit.

"Got a plan, have you?" I narrow my gaze on my boy and challenge him to speak his piece.

Yeah, I’m ready to do this. But I know I hesitate because no matter what he’s done, Fox is still the big brother who let me shadow him as a child. He was the smart-mouthed kid who led the way, protecting me from the assholes that served our father, and guided me until I grew old enough to stand my ground alone.

To fight my own battles.

Our relationship has changed over the years, but I can't forget where we came from.

The guy who's still in there. Still inside this bitter old man that he's become.

"He knows we're here," Kane snipes. "At this point, we may as well knock on the fuckin' front door."

I ignore his bitching and turn my focus to Minion. “You make that call for me?”

He nods. “Still the same as last time you checked. No change.”

Kane’s eyes narrow. “What is?”

“None of your fuckin’ business, that’s what.” Hammer flicks his cigarette, staring at the ground.

I smirk at the snarl that curls Kane’s lip. It brings me some comfort to know that shit could go south and I could dietomorrow, but these assholes around me would be there to keep my boy in line.

“You think he could be useful?” Minion asks.

I shake my head, studying each window in the house in turn. “Nah. Just don’t want him tied up in this.”

"You're talking about Logan, aren't you." Recognition fires in Kane's eyes, and his shoulders sag.

I nod.

Fox's only child is bright. Left Red River as soon as he could, got himself a proper education, and started a civil construction business—one that I hold a silent share in. Logan would never have accepted help directly from me on premise, so I jumped when I heard he'd put feelers out for business partners to help fund equipment acquisition.

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