Page 48 of Ruthless

Asher is standing next to him, watching it all unfold. Axel is leaning against the wall next to the door, mimicking Asher’s stance. None of them are aware that I’ve even entered the room, so I stay quiet and watch.

“Talk, Issac.” Zane slams him back up against the wall as every muscle in his body goes rigid. “Why the fuck did you trash the place?”

“It wasn’t me.” Isaac holds his hand up in surrender. “I came to ask you for help and found it like this.”

“Then why the fuck were you hiding in here like a little bitch?” Asher asks.

“I thought it was them coming back to finish the job.” Isaac’s dark eyes drift over at Asher.

“Bullshit.”

“It’s the fucking truth. I swear.” Isaac sags into the wall and hangs his head.

Zane stays stock still for a beat, but then he eases the gun away from Isaac’s temple and backs up a step. “Let’s say I believe you. It still doesn’t explain what you’re doing here?”

“They fucking killed her, man.” He runs a hand over his face, exposing more tattoos on top of his hand. “Left her there like she was trash.” His voice cracks as he speaks.

“Who’s they? And don’t bullshit me. I know when you’re lying,” Asher asks, with his arms crossed over his chest.

Isaac lifts his head and stares at Asher. His black eyes are glassy as he lets out a deep sigh and shakes his head. “I don’t know. That’s what I need your help with.”

I move to step closer in the room, and that’s when they finally register that I’m inside the apartment.

“Careful, Ken,” Axel says, coming up next to me and grabbing me by the elbow to usher me over to the only space on my mattress that isn’t sliced up and sitting me down in the only usable chair.

Tears fill my eyes as I glance around at what’s left of all of my belongings. Nausea fights its way to the back of my throat. “Who would do this?”

All three brothers share a look with Isaac before Zane brings his gaze back to me. “Not sure, but we’re going to find out.”

That’s all it takes to lose the battle I’ve been fighting all morning, and I throw up all over the floor next to Axel’s feet.

CHAPTERNINETEEN

Zane

Axel jumps out of the way, but not in time before Kennedy’s breakfast comes back up all over his shoes.

“Oh my god. I’m so sorry.” Kennedy covers her mouth with her hand and slumps her shoulders as her body sags deeper into the chair. Her eyes are glassy as she fights the urge to cry, and I glare at Axel, daring him to say anything that’ll upset her further. She already feels like shit with this nausea, and I’ll be damned if I let anyone else make her feel worse about it. Lucky for him, he makes the smart choice.

“It’s fine, Short Stack.” He holds on to the wall as he slips out of his shoes and socks. “I’m just going to rinse my feet off in the shower.” He jerks his thumb over his shoulder toward Kennedy’s tiny bathroom.

I offer him a chin tilt in appreciation and then turn my attention back to Isaac as I cross my arms over my chest. Water starts running, but I let it become background noise. The only thing of importance right now is finding out why the fuck Isaac is here. He says he didn’t do it, and everything in my gut believes him, but my past has taught me the hits usually come from where you least expect it. I’m reserving my judgment until I know more.

“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t string you up by your nuts for threatening my wife.” I cross the room and put my hand on Kennedy’s shoulder, letting her know without words it’s okay. Her muscles spasm but soon relaxes under the comfort of my touch.

Isaac’s black eyes swing from Kennedy to me as his forehead wrinkles. “I’ve already told you, Z, that wasn’t me.” The message is clear. He’s not saying who he suspects in front of Kennedy.

“Then who the fuck was it?” Asher asks.

“The same motherfuckers that hired you to seek me out and killed my woman.” Isaac tugs at the collar of his stained T-shirt as a muscle tics on the side of his jaw. The red haze has cleared, and now I’m taking in the rest of his appearance. He’s covered in dirt and grime and heavy bags under his eyes. Even his usually clean-shaven face is covered in at least a few days’ worth of hair growth. He also looks like he hasn’t had a good night’s sleep in days. I should know. I’m looking pretty much the same way at the moment.

“And the money in your account?” I ask as Kennedy attempts to get up from the chair to clean up the mess she made on the floor. “Leave it, Ken. I’ll take care of it.” Translation, Axel is going to do it. The fucker owes me one. Besides, none of us are bothered by the smell. We’ve trained under worse conditions. A little sour milk smell isn’t going to bother us.

“All legit.” Isaac leans his head back against the wall and holds my gaze out of the corner of his eyes.

“Bullshit.” Asher isn’t buying it. Then again, his cop instincts make it hard for him to believe that things like that just happen to people the legit way.

“I’ve made some investments, and they paid off.” He shrugs as his lips twitch. “You never did believe in investing in jack shit.” He shakes his head. “I told you to play the long game, and it’ll pay off.” He taps the end of his nose.

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