Page 49 of Dangerous Lies

“I needed Oliver to understand that I was the only one who loved him.” He jabbed at his chest. “We were brothers. Oliver and me. I would do anything for him.”

“But when he found out what you did, he was scared. You tussled. Chased him through the woods, gave his car a flat tire so he couldn’t escape.”

Douglas’s eyes widened, wild with barely controlled emotion. “I just wanted him to listen! If he had just given me the chance to explain, then everything would have been fine.” His expression darkened, fury tightening his features. “But Megan showed up. She should’ve stayed out of it.”

Douglas had run them off the road to stop Oliver from telling Megan what he knew. And instead of taking responsibility for his actions, he’d spent the last ten years blaming her.

Jax edged closer. “Megan didn’t know anything. That’s why you didn’t kill her right after the accident.”

The birds above their heads rustled. Rain beat against the roof.

“She left town in disgrace. I thought it was enough.” Douglas sucked in a deep breath and leveled his gaze at Jax. “But when she came back…”

Jax’s stomach twisted. He understood. He hated that he did, but he understood.

“It reopened the wound,” he said quietly.

“Megan’s the one who should've died that day. Instead, she went on with her life. Went to college, made friends, and spent time with her grandparents. She got ten Christmases, ten birthdays, ten YEARS that didn’t belong to her. They were Oliver’s. He should be here now, not her.” His expression contorted with rage. “I’m going to make her pay for what she’s done.”

“This isn’t the way.”

“No, it’s not your way.” His grip on the gun tightened. “Enough talking. I’m going to count to three, and if Megan doesn’t come out, I’ll put a bullet in Cody’s head.”

The older man started hyperventilating, struggling against his bonds in a fruitless attempt to save himself. Jax did his best to ignore the horror scene and focused on trying to get a clean shot. The distance was still too great, the chance slim that he’d be able to take Douglas out. His heart hammered against his rib cage.

“One!” Douglas shouted. “Two!”

A shadow shifted behind Douglas. Jax’s heart stopped as Megan lifted the crowbar over her head. His feet began moving just as she slammed the metal rod down on Douglas’s head.

He roared in pain, stumbling forward.

Jax’s world narrowed to the woman he loved and the man trying to kill her. He increased his speed as Megan swung the crowbar again. The metal bounced off the body armor, ineffective. Douglas leveled his gun.

No! Megan!

Jax lunged.

A gunshot shattered the air.

TWENTY-SEVEN

One week later

Jax adjusted the sling supporting his injured arm, wincing as the stitches in his shoulder pulled. He’d stopped taking painkillers after leaving the hospital a few days ago. The doctors had warned him it would take weeks to heal and that physical therapy would follow.

But he was alive. God had seen him through.

Across the living room, his parents sat close on the sofa, hands clasped together. His mom’s eyes were red-rimmed but dry. His dad’s expression was drawn, grief etched deep in the lines of his face. Wesley, quiet and still, had wedged himself into an armchair, his massive frame too big for the seat. None of this would be easy for them to hear, but they had asked for the details.

Jax began. “Oliver wanted out from underneath Zeke’s thumb, and I suppose he thought the best way to achieve that was to shut down the entire operation. He was working as an informant for the sheriff’s department, turning over evidence to prove that Bodybuilders—the gym owned by Zeke and Cody—was a front for an illegal fighting ring and drug business.”

“He was trying to do the right thing.” Wesley’s voice was hollow. He met Jax’s gaze. “I didn’t know. He didn’t tell me.”

“He didn’t confide in any of us. Maybe Oliver was afraid that he wouldn’t be successful. There were drugs in his system when he died, but it gives me some measure of comfort to know he was moving in the right direction.”

Valentina nodded. “What happened next?”

Jax’s gaze flickered to his father. Greg’s jaw was clenched tight, but he gave a stiff nod, signaling Jax to continue.

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