Page 117 of Covenant

26

WYATT

We don’t bring it up again.

Matthias leaves twice more over the next week, despite having told Wylder he was off the schedule.

Whatever the fuck that means.

What schedule? Why is it so important? And is he killing people?

My suspicion that he’s an assassin grows with each day that passes.

Because every time, he leaves with weapons I wasn’t aware he knew how to use.

Each time he returns with someone else’s blood covering him.

Just like the first time, I force him to strip, watching his clothes burn while he showers. We don’t discuss it. It’s like we’re both pretending if we don’t acknowledge it, it doesn’t exist.

The distance between us is greater than ever. We’re still fucking, but that’s all it is.

Fucking.

There are no tender kisses. No cuddling through the night. No whispers in the darkness.

It’s a means to an end for us both. And the worst part?

I’m not even sure which of us is driving this. We’re heading for a crash that will wreck us, and I don’t even know who is behind the wheel.

But I don’t want that to happen. Not yet. He promised me until March. I’m going to cling on to him until then, damnit. I can’t let him go yet. I just can’t.

I’m not thinking about that today. There’s something more important happening—a distraction landing at the perfect time.

Jackson is coming home.

I’ve spent all week preparing his room. I did ask Matthias if he wanted us to get our own place but the frosty silence and angry frotting session that followed answered that question for me.

Everything is ready now. Jackson is being placed in a room on the opposite side of the house from ours because neither Matthias nor I are used to keeping the noise down at night—and since I saw him covered in blood, sex has gotten even louder.

I look around the room. Egyptian cotton sheets are on the king-size bed. A brand new game system sits alongside a flat-screen TV. I’ve even splurged on a high-end laptop in the hope he might be able to get his education back on track.

The car that Matthias sent for him rounds the top of the drive, and I can almost feel my heart beating out of my chest. Tears fill my eyes as I take in my little brother’s beaming grin. He’s back.

Finally.

As soon as the car comes to a halt, he’s tumbling out of it and straight into my arms. I cling to him, both of us holding tight.

“Wait,” I gasp as the realization hits me, pulling back slightly. “You’re standing? Walking?” I can’t contain the elation and shock in my voice.

Fuck, I can’t believe how much everything has changed.

“Surprise,” he chuckles. “They fitted me with a state-of-the-art prosthetic and I’ve been working with the physio to build my strength. Pretty soon I’ll be back playing baseball.” His gaze goes over my shoulder and he gives a slight nod. “Thanks for keeping my secret.”

I glance over to see Matthias hovering, his fingers tapping against his thighs, unsure, confused. “What does that mean?” I ask.

“Matthias paid for the prosthetic,” Jackson explains. “Came to visit me weeks ago and explained he wanted me to have the very best. I agreed so long as he promised not to tell you. So I could surprise you. Isn’t that great?”

Jackson’s enthusiasm allows a smile to form on my face. I can’t even be mad right now. I can be nothing but grateful that Jackson, the only family I have left, is doing well. And yet those secrets, the ones that Matthias and I have buried so deep are staring up at me. I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing anymore.

---