Page 65 of Barrett

There was a loud buzz, letting me know someone was at my door. Reghan was closer and pressed the button. “What?” he quietly seethed. Oh, he wasn’t happy at all. Well, he could join the fucking club. I was barely holding it together.

“It’s me,” Raiden said.

Reghan hit the button to let him in and leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. He wasn’t looking at Jordan or me now. His eyes were trained on the painting over the couch that Marshall did. It was one of my favorites. That was why it hung there.

I remembered the day our aunt and uncle took us to a beach in New Jersey. We played in the ocean, then went to the boardwalk where there were games. We got to experience various rides and ate so much junk food, I was surprised we didn’t throw up.

A couple of years ago, Marshall painted a scene from that day. It was from the perspective of being on the beach, looking toward the boardwalk. Most would want to watch the ocean, endless as it disappeared into the horizon. Not my brother. His eyes were on the boardwalk as soon as we got there. The moment he decided he was done experiencing the ocean, they were on the boardwalk again.

He captured it through a child’s eyes with the brushstrokes and experience of an adult artist. It was captivating. Even now, when I glanced at it, I got lost in my memories of that day.

The door opened, and Raiden walked in. Was there anyone who worked for Jordan who didn’t know my exact location?

“Whoa,” Raiden said. “I don’t think I want to know.”

“You don’t,” Jordan bit out, but his eyes met mine. “Help Marshall so we can get the fuck out of here.” I’d crossed a line with him, one I couldn’t walk back from. The thing was, I didn’t care. When it came to Marshall, it didn’t matter who I had to go up against to ensure his safety.

Raiden left the room to walk up the hall. I didn’t bother following him with my gaze. I kept it on Jordan.

There were words I needed to say, ones that would burn like a motherfucker.

“Thank you,” I finally said.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Reghan’s arms uncross, some of the tension he held released.

Jordan didn’t respond, not that I expected him to.

28

REGHAN

Two things happened at the same time that made it hard to breathe. One was watching Marshall hug and walk away from Barrett. They were both grown men, but their bond was solid. It would be the same as me leaving Raiden. No way could I do it. I worked with him, even if we were on rotating shifts most of the time. We lived next door to each other. We were in each other’s pockets all the time. Except since I started seeing Barrett.

But Barrett and Marshall had been through a lot during their lives. Now they were being pulled apart by some asshole who shouldn’t still be walking the streets. It was mind-boggling how no one had caught him yet.

The second thing was me walking away from Barrett. Every part of me screamed to stay with him and gather him in my arms. To reassure him that everything would work out. All it took was a glare from Jordan and my feet were moving. My body went one way while my heart tried to stay in Barrett’s apartment.

Raiden and I moved with precision as we stepped into the night air. Not only did we have to protect Jordan, but Marshall as well.

“Raiden, with me,” Jordan barked. Albert was back. If he had found something, we would have known.

My brother tossed me the keys to the Navigator. He’d found a spot across the street and down the block. I couldn’t help but watch as Marshall’s gaze bounced around.

“He won’t come for you right now,” I said.

“How do you know?”

“Because I’d put a fucking bullet in his head.” I winced after I said it. Marshall wasn’t used to this life. Now he was going to be immersed in it. Granted, he wouldn’t know what Jordan did or his day-to-day dealings, but Marshall was bound to get an idea once he stepped into Jordan’s building and saw men with guns everywhere. “Sorry,” I muttered and hit the button to unlock the SUV.

Marshall put his belongings on the back seat before climbing into the passenger seat as the Maserati drove past us.

I sat behind the steering wheel and pulled the door closed. I needed to follow Jordan, just in case. It was always just in case. He could handle himself but if I wasn’t there when I could have been, I’d hate myself.

“You don’t have to do that,” Marshall said once we were on the road.

“What?”

“Watch what you say in front of me. Barrett does, and I understand why, but I hate it. He acts like I’m a kid.”

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