Page 64 of Barrett

“Except my brother.”

“You can still go to work. I’ll send a guard with you.”

“I’m not sure they’ll allow me to have a shadow.”

“I know the owner of the company. I’ll make a call.”

I rolled my eyes. “Of course you do.”

“I’m trying to meet you both in the middle,” Jordan growled. “I don't need to do any of this. Instead of fucking appreciating what I’m offering, you’re giving me shit. How about saying thank you, Jordan?”

Now I was getting pissed. All I wanted was to be with my brother and for him to be safe. I did appreciate what Jordan was doing for Marshall, but my mouth went in the opposite direction when it opened.

“You want me to thank you?” I asked. “Fine. Thank you for wanting to help my brother while pulling him away from me. Thank you for doing everything in your power to keep me out of your building where my brother will stay. Thank you for making me feel like the shittiest person alive for knowing I need to keep my brother safe, but obviously not being able to do it myself.” Wasn’t that what it came down to? Me not being able to protect the one person I swore I always would? I wasn’t good enough.

“Bear,” Reghan whispered.

“Don’t,” I bit out and pulled my hand from his. “Mars, you should go with Jordan. He has the ability and the manpower to keep you safe.”

“No,” he said with a defiant set to his chin. “I’m an adult and can make my own decisions.”

“I’m not trying to rule your life. I want to keep you safe.” If anything else were to happen to him, I didn't know what I’d do. I absently rubbed my chest as pain bloomed at the thought.

“And what about you?” he asked.

“What about me?”

“If he comes back?—”

“I’ll kill him.” It shouldn’t have been so easy for me to say, given my job was to protect the city while also following the law. I’d broken it too many times for Jordan. What would be another one? I’d have no remorse. It would feel damn good.

“I know you’ll do anything for me, but I don’t want you to murder someone. He could be locked up instead.” My brother wasn't naïve. I also hadn’t told him a lot about the reality of working where I did. That was on me.

“Depending on who he is, how much money he has, and his connections, he might not do much time.” There was no way to know until he was caught. I’d rather go to sleep every night with the knowledge he wouldn’t do this ever again.

Marshall hugged me hard. “I don’t want you killing for me.”

I pulled him tight against me. “And I’d die inside if you weren’t alive. You got lucky when you were able to get away. There are still men missing. I need you safe, Mars, so I can focus on my job and put an end to this.”

“Even if it means we won't see each other every day?” How many years had it been just the two of us? No one to rule our lives.

“We will when this is done.”

He sighed. “You trust Jordan?”

“Not fully, but I do Reghan.” I was acutely aware of how Jordan had heard every word I said. I wasn’t trying to be quiet. It was still fucked up that he was standing here, but he had come when I called Reghan. That counted for a hell of a lot. “Just do what they say, and hopefully, this will be over soon, and you’ll be home.”

Leaning back, Marshall gave me a nod and left to go to his room.

I didn’t wait longer than it took for him to be out of sight before I whirled around and grabbed Jordan by his suit jacket. Reghan was immediately at my back, attempting to pull me away, but I had a hell of a grip on Jordan.

“If anything happens to him, I’ll fucking come for you,” I warned Jordan. My hold on him didn’t last long before he moved quickly and had me against the wall with his forearm pressed to my throat.

“Touch me like that again, and it will be the last thing you do.” Then he shoved me hard, making my head hit the wall and my teeth chatter. He straightened his coat. “You’re lucky I don’t fucking kill you for that.”

Reghan stood behind Jordan, a myriad of emotions on his face. I’d just threatened his boss, and he did the same to me. Reghan was stuck in the middle. He could tell me he cared about me, but the truth was, his priority would always be Jordan.

The three of us stood staring at one another while we waited for my brother to emerge with a bag. He wasn’t done. If I had to guess, that one held his clothes. He still had art supplies to pack.

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