Page 78 of Brother's Keeper

A few dozen feet away, the building waited. I was stalling. I knew it, and I wondered if Donovan did, too. His idea of a grand adventure was turning into a private viewing of his big brother’s anxiety. What I’d told Holland was proving true already. He was a liability, and he made me weak.

I shook out my hands and spoke over one shoulder to Donovan. “Stay close and quiet. Come on.”

As we walked toward the shambling brick structure, my mind raced. We had come to negotiate, but what did I have to offer the men and woman who wanted me dead? More than that, what was I doing here that was worth endangering my brother’s life?

Rescuing Ripley was secondary to my purpose. Admittedly, I owed him for sticking his neck out for me, and I didn’t want to be stuck with Maggie in the event of his death, but I would never choose him over Donovan. I was risking Donovan’s life for the sake of saving it. Jax had made clear he intended to kill all three of us, and I couldn’t allow someone that dangerous to live.

When we reached the dented metal door, I paused long enough to breathe before opening the one on the right. Light from inside, previously obscured by painted-over windows above, escaped in a wide, yellow beam.

Part of me expected the scene that had greeted me the last time I came to this side of town—Grimm and the other members of the Hex lounging about. Instead, we entered into a vacant room. It was expansive and bare save for wooden crates stacked nearly to the ceiling and lining the back wall. A hallway in the corner led to other parts of the building. Metal ladders provided access to a catwalk that ringed the perimeter of the second level, which was connected by a bridge across the middle of the space.

I looked around, finding ample shadows where Holland or Vesper and Tobin could hide, but I hesitated to search too hard without knowing who might be watching.

Donovan came alongside me to whisper, “Where is everybody?”

I shook my head, glancing at every corner and still somehow missing the black beast that came from above until it sprung into the air. It descended from the metal walkway to land effortlessly, and damn near noiselessly, on four padded paws. The panther approached us, his shoulders and haunches rolling through a sauntering stride.

My hands twitched with the instinct to attack, remembering how that same animal had thrown itself at me several days prior. The big cat’s lone eye glinted, and its lips peeled back from sharp, ivory teeth in what Ithought was a snarl until Jax’s voice rumbled up from the beast’s chest.

“Hard to say which of us is dumber, showing up like this.” He reared back on his hind legs in a smooth shift into human form. He looked as greasy as ever with black hair stringing past his shoulders and his clothes perpetually wrinkled. I considered myself lucky he didn’t shapeshift in the nude like werewolves on TV, so I didn’t have to stare at what was bound to be a singularly unimpressive cock.

As he came closer, I fought the urge to backpedal and struggled even harder to keep from barring my arm across Donovan’s chest and telegraphing my obvious weakness. I couldn’t decide what to do because focusing on the man rapidly encroaching stole from my awareness of the rest of the room and the inevitable arrival of the two other villains I suspected to be onsite.

“You said you wanted to negotiate,” Jax began, “and I wanna know what the hell you’ve got to offer that’s more lucrative than your lives. So, let’s chat. What’s your angle, Farrow? I don’t suspect you came here to die. Though, if you did, I’m happy to help you out.”

“Keep him talking.” Felix’s voice slipped into my ear, and I jumped.

It was a timely reminder of the earpiece and microphone capturing everything being said. A note to handle this conversation with care so as not to give the investigators any ideas or information I didn’t want them to have.

“Holland found your friend,” Felix continued. “But no sign of Jette Black and York Tompkins.”

“Is Rip okay?” Donovan squeaked before I mentally shut his mouth so hard his teeth clicked. His question was meant for the man in our ears, but Jax fielded it without so much as a blink.

“Your buddy’s in quite a state, I’m sorry to say.” Jax’s oily face showed anything but sorrow as he stabbed his finger at me. “Our hospitality wore out afteryoutried to get smart with my associates.” Humor grew into full-blown glee as he continued. “I heard Yorkie got you back good, though. Put a real scare in you.”

Donovan leaned into my peripheral with a puzzled look.

“Yeah.” I muttered. “Neat trick.”

Jax beamed. “Innit, though?”

Another survey of the room found the three of us alone in it. What were the investigators waiting for?

A heavy breath left me before I spoke again. “Here’s the deal, Jax. Not to yuck your yum, but the Bloody Hex isn’t exactly what it used to be. Grimm’s checked out, Vinton’s playing it straight for once, and Avery’s been MIA for weeks. As for the newbies, you can keep them, for all I care. I want away from the whole thing.”

Donovan pitched forward, almost falling over himself in a play for my attention. He couldn’t protest with his lips telekinetically sealed, but his wide eyes spoke volumes. I hadn’t gone over this with him, hadn’t even prepared it for myself, but I was going all in on honesty lately. Telling the truth took less brainpower, and I didn’t have much to spare these days.

“I’m supposed to believe that?” Jax asked. “You’ll just give it up? Wasn’t it you who said people die for thatshit?” He gestured to my tattooed hand. “You who said it was worth fighting over? Now, you’re just lying down?” He folded his arms across his chest and scoffed. “I was right about you all along. You’re all talk.”

His taunts in prison resurfaced, egging me into a fight I didn’t want. I swallowed my pride and kept my expression neutral. “I’m done with the Bloody Hex. So’s my brother, and I’d bet money Ripley feels the same. But we can’t leave the gang alive, and you can’t get in unless we’re dead, so let’s work together.”

The shapeshifter crept closer. “I’m listening.”

“You tried to take my hand before.” I flashed the Hex mark tattoo, and he purred at the sight of it. I pretended to marvel, as well, studying the inky black skull laced with thorn vines that nearly touched the first set of strings tattooed on my fingers.

“What say I let you?” I asked at last.

Jax swayed back, snorting. “I say that’s some real dumb shit.”

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