Page 49 of Rising Storm

“As long as you’re willing to try.”

“Yeah, Gareth, I’m willing to try.”

Chapter 20

Helix grabbed his room key card and opened the door, laughing at something Sayer was saying. The smile left his lips when he saw the big man standing just outside his door. He recognized him immediately and turned to keep Sayer in the room. But the guy slammed into him and he hit the open door hard, all the air knocked out of his body.

“Think you can sleep with my husband?”

Sayer yelled, “No Barnette, it’s not what you think. He’s my brother!”

But Barnette wasn’t listening as he slammed his fist into Helix’s stomach before Helix could gather his feet. Two more punches hit him. Sayer jumped onto Barnette’s back. Worried about his brother, Helix reached out to pull his brother off, but Barnette threw him. Motherfucking threw him!

Sayer hit one of the chairs hard then slammed into the floor.

Helix growled and flew at Barnette, crunching his fist into the man’s nose. Blood splattered as his head snapped back and Helix went for him again, this time aiming his punch into the man’s stomach. Barnette made a wheezing sound and bent over before he yelled and came at Helix, slamming him into the wall. He gathered his shirt in one fist and brought the other back. Helix ducked and Barnette’s fist went into the wall.

The man cursed and pulled back his bloody fist. Helix got in two more blows before he could recover and Barnette flew back into the bed, falling over it. Helix scrambled to follow, planning to beat the man to death, but someone grabbed his arms.

“Looks like he’s down,” Gareth said into his ear. “I heard the fighting and ran in here. Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” Helix breathed as he pulled away from Gareth and knelt to check on his brother. Sayer had sat up and was holding his arm that looked to be at an awkward angle. “That fucker broke his arm.” Helix got up just as Kavaugh stood on the other side of the bed. They stared at each other, both breathing hard. Kavaugh suddenly frowned as he stared at Helix.

“Yeah, you asshole. I look like him, don’t I?”

“I didn’t know Sayer had a brother,” Kavaugh snarled. He narrowed gaze on Sayer.

“Well, he does and why don’t you come over here and try to hurt him again?”

“I didn’t mean to break his arm.” Kavaugh’s entire expression sort of caved. “Sayer, you do understand that, don’t you, baby?”

Helix growled and took a step toward him. “Like you didn’t mean to break his ribs? You’re a fucking loser, picking on someone half your size.”

“What I do with my husband is none of your damn business.”

“Oh, but it is. You need to leave. Sayer is done with you.”

“He’ll never be done with me.” Kavaugh came around the bed and before he could approach Sayer, Gareth was stepping in front of him. “Who the fuck are you?”

“The brother’s boyfriend so I suggest you just stay back.”

He finally seemed to clue in that it was three to one and Gareth was just as big as he was, because Kavaugh’s lips grew thinner. “Come on, Sayer. It’s time you came home.”

“No,” Sayer said as he got to his feet, holding his broken arm with the other. “I’m never going home with you again.”

“Yes, you are. You’re still my husband.”

“No, I want a divorce. I’ve put up with your temper long enough.”

“The Hell you’re getting a divorce. You forget what I have on you.”

Sayer’s shoulders slumped and he took a step toward his husband.

“What?” Helix asked. “What does he have on you?”

Sayer shook his head, his expression so sad it cut into Helix. “You don’t want to know. Whether it was an accident or not makes no difference.”

He knew exactly what Sayer was talking about and the last thing he wanted was Gareth hearing this, so he just nodded. But he curled his hands into fists. “You’re not going with him. I won’t let you.”

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