Page 19 of Rising Storm

“Yes and I don’t have time to explain because he’s due home any moment and one look at you and he’ll know we’re related.”

“You did grow up to look like me. But where did you get the bruises?”

Sayer frantically looked around. “Those don’t matter right now. You have to leave.”

“Sayer, Hayrick is dead.”

All the color left his brother’s face as he froze. “What?”

“You’re free of whatever he’s had you doing. Free to come with me.”

“Oh, I’m so far from free, it’s laughable. Look, I’ve put up with a lot to get what Hayrick wanted and now I suppose the payout will be mine instead.”

“What payout?”

“You’ve stumbled onto a hell of a problem here.”

“Are you really married?”

“Not only married, but watching him for years. All that time and I’m not about to walk away.”

“But with Hayrick dead—”

“The money is mine. Look, my husband embezzled from Hayrick for years and Hayrick wanted that money. If Hayrick is gone, it’s mine now and I can start over. I don’t have time to explain it now and I don’t want you ruining this for me. So, how about we meet tomorrow and I’ll explain everything?”

“Where did you get the bruises? Look I’m staying at this motel in the city.” He gave him the name of the place and his room number but Sayer cut him off.

“You’re not listening to me—” he broke off. “Oh shit, there he is! Go!” Sayer turned and hurried into the house, calling over his shoulder. “I’ll meet you tomorrow. Sandy’s Coffee Shop at three.”

And like that he was gone.

Helix cursed and stomped back to his car, sliding in just as a black Hummer pulled into the driveway of his brother’s house. A big, hulking guy got out. He never looked Helix’s way, so he couldn’t get a good look at him, but he knew it was Kavaugh.

His brother had winced when he’d hugged him. He was hurt. Leaving him here went against everything inside Helix, but he forced himself to drive away. He’d passed that coffee shop on the way here, so he knew where to go.

But his brother didn’t show up the next day. Helix waited for hours, then watched his house and there was no movement. He considered breaking in, but knew there was nothing to be learned that he wouldn’t hear from his brother’s mouth. He bought a bottle of Jack Daniels on his way back to the motel.

* * *

Gareth knockedon Helix’s door around eight that night. He’d been out with Carter and Liam all day and didn’t want Helix to think he was avoiding him. When the man didn’t answer after a few moments, he knocked again. Helix finally answered the door with a growl he could hear through the wood.

“What?” he slurred as he leaned in the open doorway. He wore only a pair of jeans, his tattoos stark against his golden brown skin.

“You’re shnockered.” Gareth pushed into the room, taking in the half bottle of Jack Daniels next to a red solo cup on the small table. Other than that, not a thing was out of place—even the bed was properly made with Helix’s bag perched on the end of it. “What’s going on?”

“Having some booze, why?”

“What’s going with you, Helix?” he repeated.

Helix sat in the chair and leaned his head into his hands before he ran them both through his hair, leaving it standing up. He blinked up at Gareth. “You might as well join me.” He pulled another cup from the bag next to the bottle and poured some whiskey into it. “Sit down.”

Gareth did, taking a sip of his drink as he watched Helix. Even wasted with his eyes at half-mast, the guy carried a sense of presence that filled the room.

Helix leaned back in his chair and stared at him, his hazel eyes still sharply focused as his gaze ran over Gareth’s shoulders and chest. He snorted suddenly. “Why you gotta be so good-looking?”

“You’re not so bad yourself.” He took another swallow of whiskey.

“You wanna have sex?”

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