Page 81 of Starting Over

Looking at my brother, I conceded, “We can talk in my office.” Turning to Tyran, I pointed my finger at him and hissed, “You stay.”

“I’m not a fucking dog.”

“You sure about that?”

Tyran took a step forward. The deep-set lines on his face told me he wanted to hurt me. He couldn’t kill me, though. At least, not in front of Sal.

Sal swung his arm up, halting Tyran’s pursuit, and sighed. “Enough.”

Sal knew Tyran and I hated each other. What he didn’t know was why. Thirty-eight years apart had only made the divide between his best friend and his little brother grow to the size of the Grand Canyon.

“Tyran, stay here.”

“But—”

“He’s my little brother, and the fucking sheriff. What the hell do you think he’s gonna do in his goddamn station?”

Tyran wasn’t afraid of what I might do. No. He was afraid of what I might say. I grinned at him, letting him know that even after all these years apart, I knew I still had more pull with Sal than he did.

And I always would.

Family first.

Always.

“Martha, please get the men some coffee while they wait.”

“Sure, Sheriff.”

Leading Sal to my office, I held the door as he walked through, making sure it was closed before I sat at my desk.

“Why are you really here?”

“I told you, it’s time I met our baby brother.”

I studied his face. His eyes never left mine. Most people when they lie, couldn’t hold eye contact, but I knew given who Sal was, he had perfected his poker face years ago.

“Why now?”

He sighed heavily and shrugged out of his coat. “Maureen is here. I want to know why.”

“What does it matter?”

He tipped his head and glared at me.

When he stayed quiet, I added, “You can’t have her.”

“And why is that?”

“Because she doesn’t want you. That’s why she left.”

“And she somehow just happened to settle down in the same town as my brothers?”

I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest. It was a sign of defense. I was guarding myself. At fifty years old, I found it hard not to open up and tell my brother everything, all the secrets, all the lies. How was it possible, knowing everything I did, that I still loved the bastard? That I still missed him.

“I would think you would be more concerned with her settling down in the town with her best friend’s orphaned son.”

“So he finally told you, huh?” He grinned.

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