Page 7 of Revenge

“Big brother telling you how awesome I was last night?” Axel leans against the doorjamb and crosses his arms over his chest.

“Hooking up with her friend wasn’t part of the deal.” I narrow my eyes, letting him see just how pissed I am that he went to Orphic without telling me. “Not to mention she’s the governor’s fucking daughter.”

“Relax. You needed a way in. I’m happy to take one for the team and I didn’t even give her my real name.” His eyes light up like he did me a solid. He’s such a cocky little shit.

“By getting your dick wet.” I exhale a cloud of smoke in his face and stare him down with the same one I used to use on my cellmates to keep them out of my shit. Of course, he ignores it for the warning it is and keeps on talking.

“Have you seen her friend? Legs for days, face of an angel, and a sassy as fuck redhead to boot. She’s the perfect package.” He groans at the memory.

“Is that why you got jumpy and knocked over the library book last night?” I cock my head to the side, daring him to argue my point.

His face turns serious as he shrugs. “That was an accident. Things worked out fine. She didn’t see me.”

“You’re lucky you move quick or else she would have.” I shouldn’t be so hard on him, but he needs to understand what’s at stake here if he doesn’t take more precautions. We’re not untouchable like he wants to think. The thought of either of my brothers rotting in prison because of me is like a knife to my chest.

“Why are you on my ass anyway? You could have just taken her last night. She was alone and vulnerable. I don’t understand what you’re waiting for?” A muscle in his cheek jumps as he throws all this shit in my face.

“It wasn’t the right time.” My hand slams down against my desk, causing the computer to rattle. His words hit too close to home. I could have taken her last night, but a weird feeling—one I can’t explain—stopped me. I’ll be damned if I have to explain myself to him. I don’t like being second-guessed by anyone. He keeps this shit up and I’m burning his ass with the cherry of my cigarette.

Zane senses the tension building and steps in before anything can escalate. “If you’re thinking of changing the game, we have your back. We just need to know the new rules.”

“I’m not. We’re still doing it. Things just have to be in place is all. I’ve worked too hard to fuck this up by jumping the gun.” I rub at the short hairs on the top of my head to soothe my rising temper.

“I don’t know. Sometimes jumping the gun can be fun.” The gleam in my brother’s eyes gives away the direction of his thoughts.

“Ax…” He’s being a serious pain in my ass.

“Whatever. I’m outta here. Got a hot date with a certain redhead.” He flashes me a Cheshire Cat grin.

“You sure it’s smart for him to get close to the friend?” Zane jerks his head in Axel’s direction.

“No,” I deadpan.

“You two worry too much.” Axel shakes off my attitude like it’s no big deal, but I can see in his eyes that it’s beginning to wear on him.

“We have reason to.” I pinch my cigarette between my fingers and stare him down.

“Name one.” Axel keeps pushing the issue and I can’t control how far I take this.

“Mary Stevens.” That gets my point across but leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

All the color drains from Axel’s face and his whole body hardens. “That’s a low blow, even for you.”

He’s right. It was and I feel like shit for even saying it.

“Ax.” I open my mouth to do something I haven’t done in years, but it’s my brother and he doesn’t deserve my wrath. “I’m sor—”

“Don’t wait up,” he cuts me off. All I get is a hard stare as he walks out the door without another word, leaving me to feel like a complete fucking asshole.

“He’ll be fine.” Zane squeezes my shoulder, but it does nothing to ease the sinking feeling in my chest.

“I hope you’re right.” I run my hand over my face and let out a heavy sigh.

“Trust him. He’s not the same little kid you remember. Believe it or not, we did grow up while you were away, big brother.”

“How? He still thinks with his dick like a damn kid.”

“Don’t we all?” He shoots me a knowing look and walks off.

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