Sesto was setting himself up to hold his ground.
But he wouldn't try anything because he knew I was right. Ratting to the cops about things we'd done, things we were going to do. . .
That was like tying a noose around his own neck. All he needed was a chair to jump off of.
“Hear me out.” His voice rang in submission, like a dog giving in to its pack leader.
Sesto knew I was in charge, he knew he couldn't come in here and just expect me to roll over and listen to what he had to say.
He already said enough.
My muscles burst through the skin, firming and rolling into rock. Lunging forward, I slammed my fist into his face.
And it felt good—great actually.I'd wanted to do that for so long since all that shit went down. From the moment my father called to tell me that Seston had turned on us, to watching his smug fucking face on the news as the police hauled him in; I've wanted to draw blood.
But he didn't go down like Vince and I wouldn't expect him to.
Sesto was raised just like me, he could take a hit. He wouldn't cower and beg for mercy, he'd take his punishment and never say a fucking a word about it.
But he wouldn't just stand there like stagnant water either. We were both raised as fighters, so that's what he did, he fought back.
Charging me like a bull, Sesto threw his arms around my waist, knocking the wind from my lungs, and landing us both on the floor.
Ivy let out a gasp, followed by a soft scream. From the corner of my eye, I could see her inching back, getting out of the way.
This wasn't a fight she wanted any part of. This was between us.
Brother against brother.
Trying to put his weight on my chest, Sesto leaned in hard, his growl a perfect match to mine. “Just fucking listen me to, Dante!”
“No.” The word came out as the air found its way back in. Using my size, I was able to lift him enough to get out from under him. Twisting around, I was on his back, yanking one of his arms up between his shoulder blades. “You're leaving now and you're not going to come back to this house,ever!Do you understand me?” Bracing my knee in between his legs, I got some leverage and lifted us both to our feet.
Ivy had curled into a ball in the corner, watching us like a statue frozen in time. Her eyes bugged from her head, her knees were pulled up to her chest, and she looked so small.
There was a nervous flicker in her eyes. I wasn't sure if she expected both of us to draw our guns and start shooting up the place.
Did she worry that there was the chance she'd get trapped in the crossfire and lose her life before she ever had the opportunity to gain it back?
She didn't have to worry, I'd take the bullet for her. But not before I knew she was safe.
Sesto would have his day, just like Remo. But he was a small fly in the game of big fish.
Holding him in an arm-bar, I shoved him out the door and walked us both downstairs. Kicking his feet, Sesto tried to break free. But I had always been bigger and stronger than him. Ever since we were kids, everyone always thought I was the oldest.
Sesto unfortunately got his height from my mother's side. But that didn't stop him from being one of the most feared men in the city. He was a small dog, but he had a big bite.
If we weren't brothers and I didn't know who the hell he was, I might even feel a little intimidated by him. His eyes were as black as my father's, his mouth always held this gritty curl, giving the impression he was always pissed.
And between us, some of the shit he'd done would make you think twice about not locking your door at night.
But all of that was just a mask, it was learned, not lived. Sesto had always been fair, he'd always listened before he acted, and he took a lot of shit into consideration before he jumped.
Now. . .
Now he was another fucking street rat whose word meant nothing. I was done with him.
“I don't care where you go, I don't care what you do. . .” Taking in a large gulp of air, I shoved him out the front door, still open wide from me barreling through. “But whatever happens, you don't come back here ever again.”
Sesto stumbled forward, regaining his balance and turning around just in time to see me close the door in his face.
He had some set of balls showing up here.
And even bigger balls for staying when he knew I'd be coming back.
Fuck my brother.