Page 9 of Barrett

“If my fist meets his face, he deserves it.”

His voice softened. “I don’t mean only in the physical sense, although I have a feeling the emotional damage is already done.”

We weren’t the kind of siblings who didn’t talk. My brother and I were freakishly close. Given how loving and supportive our parents were, we didn’t keep much inside. Like he normally was able to do, my brother got right to the heart of shit. The physical damage was nothing compared to how Barrett tore me up inside.

“What do you expect me to do? I turned away tonight, and he ran after me.”

“Walk me through what happened.”

So, I did. From the time I entered the café to immediately spotting Barrett, to the way my heart fractured when I saw a tear run down his cheek.

“He was crying?”

I nodded. “I sat down, asked him what happened, and he closed himself off. Dickhead Bear showed up next. I got pissed and left.”

“Then he ran down the sidewalk after you.”

“And here we are. I’m pissed, you’re worried, and fuck knows what Bear is.”

“He’s got his reasons for closing off. Look at who we work for. Has Jordan ever come across as open and loving? No, but he finally cracked with the right people by his side.”

Turning in the seat, I let the anger wash over me. I wouldn’t take it out on my brother. He didn’t deserve that. But I also couldn’t keep it bottled up. “I was right in front of him, and he acted like he wanted to be anywhere else.”

“There could be multiple reasons for it. Our boss, Barrett’s job, secrets he’s hiding. There’s also the problem of him knowing absolutely nothing about you. I’m sure the East Dremest PD has files on us, but what does ours show? Where we live, our parents, and our jobs? There’s nothing in them to convict us. We aren’t on social media. Our footprints are small, so Barrett knows next to nothing.”

“What are you trying to get at? I’m still pissed, and shit isn’t registering like it should.” I could feel the headache coming, the throbbing at my temples from clenching my jaw.

“Did you take your meds?” Of course, he immediately knew what I was getting at.

“Shot was due yesterday, and I took it. I haven’t needed the abortives in a while.” They were a medication that could kick the migraines out, or at least bring them down to a level where they weren’t affecting me much.

“Let’s go upstairs.” He got out of the Jeep before I could protest. I knew my migraines well enough by now. This one would throb, but I had plenty of time to take something before it had the chance to knock me on my ass.

I didn't get a lot of migraines anymore. When I did, I had the medications I needed to combat them. Jordan ensured Alton, his doctor, helped us with whatever we needed. I had to be in top shape when I guarded Jordan and his family. Now, they were mostly triggered by stress. By me clenching my fucking jaw.

I wore a night guard when I could for that reason. I also took a low-dose muscle relaxer before bed when my stress was high. It helped my jaw relax at night, so I didn’t wake up with that pain on the sides of my head. It wasn't a drug that knocked me out cold. It took the edge off.

I followed Raiden to the elevator and rode up with him. He didn’t stop on our floor, instead going to the top to take his spot from Oleander, who was only there until Raiden returned.

Jordan sent us on an errand tonight. Actually, it was an errand for Ava. Either way, Raiden went to pick up what she needed while I said I’d grab coffee. Except I didn’t. At least Raiden had the craft supplies Ava wanted already in the Jeep by the time he had to separate Barrett and me.

Usually, Julia, Ava’s guard, would have done it for her, but Julia was home for the night since Ava was secure in Jordan's building. If Jordan and his family were here, they were safe. Raiden and I wouldn’t have stepped away if we were outside of here.

“Thank you!” Ava called as she ran over to get the bag. “Now I can finish the project. I’m trying to keep my grades up so I can make the Junior Honor Society.” The girl was smart and loved to learn. Once she settled here after her mom passed, things became easier for her. The pain of losing the person she loved most was still present though. I saw it in the moments when a memory would hit her, and her eyes would well with tears.

“Do you need anything from me, sir?” I asked Jordan.

“You can go. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Yes, sir,” I gave a stiff nod and turned.

“Wait,” Jordan called. I quickly faced him, keeping my spine straight. I never knew what he was about to throw at me. His eyes narrowed. “What happened while you were out?” He also didn’t miss a thing.

My lips pressed into a thin line. I really didn’t want to tell him I ran into Barrett and got into it with him.

When I didn’t answer, his gaze swung to my brother.

Raiden sighed. “We saw Barrett.”

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