Page 7 of The MC's Little Brother

“Why?” I demanded. Tank didn’t just accept facts without proof, and if he knew something, I wanted to hear it. Something to make all this make sense.

“Because he looks just like you. I remember you at that age. He’s your carbon copy. If you weren’t brothers, I’d think you had a kid as a teen and didn’t tell anyone.”

Shit. It was hard to argue with that. But I needed to meet him myself, to be sure. Maybe then I could figure out how the hell he found me. Jorge didn’t even have my number. Once I left, we went no contact, and he never tried to change that.

“Listen, can you watch him? I’m gonna head out there as soon as I talk to Prez. I’ll figure things out once I get there.”

“That’s not a problem,” Tank replied easily. But then he hesitated. “Wraith… bring Mel with you. He’s… He’s been hurt. I think he needs to see a medical professional.”

Horror and fury stacked on top of the growing list of emotions slamming into me left and right. The likelihood of this kid being related to me just skyrocketed. That was me once. Getting concerned looks from Tank and a few other neighbors when Jorge was dumb enough or drunk enough not to avoid my face. The cops never stepped in to stop him. If this kid was running like I expected, I assumed it was the same situation. And no way in hell would I let him get sent back there.

“I’ll grab her and text you when I’m on my way.”

After I hung up, I stood there for a moment, my mind running a thousand miles a minute as I tried to figure out my next steps. If it was true and there was a kid out there who was part of my family, I had to protect him. I knew what it was like to grow up under Jorge Ruiz’s thumb. I wasn’t going to let slip through the cracks of the justice system and be forgotten. I needed to help him. I just didn't have the first clue how.

Tank’s reminder that the kid needed medical help spurred me into motion. I headed back into the bar and made a beeline toward Melissa. She made a face, ready to start a fight the minute I approached her, but I grabbed her elbow and leaned in close to not be overheard by my brothers.

“I need your help. Come with me.”

She looked surprised and confused at the seriousness of my tone, but thankfully, she didn’t argue. She dipped her chin once, giving Circus some cash to cover her drink. I got a few questioning looks from him and Axel, but I wasn’t going to explain things right now. I didn’t even fully know what was going on.

Melissa followed me outside, jogging to keep up with me. We had to duck through crowds to get to my bike, but when we arrived, she finally stopped me long enough to ask, “What’s going on?”

“Not now. We need to talk to Prez.”

She crossed her arms, scowling at me. “If this is some pathetic attempt to get me to go back to the hotel early–”

“It’s not. I–” I grimaced. I didn't want to explain this twice. I needed to talk to Prez and get back home. I needed to figure out what was happening. And I needed not to have to argue every step of the way.

Melissa must’ve noticed the open conflict on my face. It wasn’t like me. I kept my emotions under wraps. But the idea of having a little brother who was hurt was freaking me out. I couldn’t keep my cool like I normally did. She relented and dropped her defensive stance.

“Alright. I can see this is important. Let’s just go.”

She climbed onto the back of my bike without protest, and I offered her my helmet. I didn’t have a spare like Prez or Butch did. If we rode back together, I’d need to borrow one.

We had to crawl through the rally to get to the road, but after that, the trip was short to the hotel. I parked out front since I wouldn’t be there long.Only long enough to get my things and explain what was happening to Prez. I ignored anyone and everyone as I tore through the hotel, heading straight for Prez’s room. I knocked heavily on the door, looking at my phone while I waited for him to answer in case I got another message from Tank. Nothing. That was either a good thing or he was busy chasing the kid. How the hell would I know if he trusted Tank enough to stay with him or not?

When Prez finally opened the door, I was about ready to crawl out of my skin. He took one look at me and his expression hardened.

“What happened?”

“Come with me.”

Unlike his sister, Prez didn’t argue. He did shoot Mel a questioning look since she stood right behind me, but she just shrugged. He ducked back into his room long enough to pull on some real clothes and tell Maggie he’d be back before following me and Mel to my room. Once I was there, I grabbed my stuff, shoving my laptop into the saddle bag I used while going to rallies.

“Wraith?” Prez prompted. I almost forgot he was there. I was in a spiral, and I just needed to get the hell back to town.

“I’ve got a little brother. Apparently.” I bit back a scoff. It wasn’t like Jorge had a way of contacting me. But a part of me was pissed I didn’t know before now. I should’ve kept an eye on him. If I had, I would’ve been able to step in sooner. I didn't even know how old this kid was, but no kid should be forced to grow up with that bastard. “I need to go back home. He’s there and–”

“Woah. Hold on. Start from the beginning,” Prez said, putting his hands up in a calming gesture. “How did you find out about this?”

I shook my head stupidly for a moment before finding the words. “Tank called. I don’t know the whole story. I didn’t want to stand around on the phone to figure things out. But he says the kid looks just like me.” I glanced at Prez, my expression pained. “If he’s right…”

“If he’s right, we’ll handle it. I take it you’re going back tonight? Is he safe for now?”

I nodded. “I asked Tank to watch him until I got there. I need to check to make sure the kid agreed, but I need to get moving.” The rally was hours from home and it was already late. I’d be lucky if I could get there before the sun came up.

“What do you need from me?” Mel asked. She looked just as stricken asPrez and I did. She knew all about what kind of man Jorge was and even though we tried to keep it from her, I was sure she knew at least a little of what I went through.

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