Page 1 of Brake's Intent

CHAPTERONE

LAWSON

Finding out Faye has been taken has my blood pumping and my anger boiling to the surface. I want nothing more than to go find her and bring her back. Bring her back not just for me, but for Brake.

Bring her back to us, where she belongs.

The three of us might be seeing things differently right now, but I know why the other two keep fighting. We’re it for each other. All three of us. It’s why I decided to open a second Double Trouble out here instead of in Florida, which was the reason for me being there when I met up with Brake and Faye.

My eyes find Brake while we wait to find out answers. Fury and rage swirls around him in waves. No one can miss it and I keep a wide berth from him. When he leaves, I notice his twin brother, Tyres, follows after him. I also follow suit, but I keep my distance for the time being. When it comes to Brake, it’s best to handle him with care. He might be a badass and rough as they come, but I know there’s more to him, and right now, he’s hurting.

“Brother, you okay?” I hear Tyres ask and stop just in the shadows to listen.

“I’m fine,” Brake says, and you can tell he’s gritting his teeth. It’s one of his telltale signs of frustration.

“Bullshit,” Tyres says and grips Brake’s shoulder, spinning him. “What’s going on with you? Something’s not right and you ain’t saying shit to me. We’re brothers, Jax.”

Brake has told me how he’s close with his brother. That them being twins has nothing on the fact that they went through hell growing up. He’d talked about it while we were in Florida. The three of us. Him, Faye, and me. Just us with no issues and drama to come between us.

Florida was a good time, and the only time we were all together. In a short amount of time, it became more. It might not be ideal, but I knew if we wanted to, we could make it work.

* * *

Stepping into the bar, I spot her sitting by herself in the corner twirling a straw around in the glass looking bored out of her mind. The idea of going and joining her hits me hard and I almost do it, but first I’ve got a meeting to attend. One that I hope will end with me not wanting to bash heads in. I don’t mind getting bloody, but I also want to get laid.

I move to the bar and motion for the bartender to get me a beer. I usually drink bourbon, but I’m not feeling it today. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice the woman I want to sink into. She perks up and smiles as someone joins her. I take in her guest and almost choke on my beer when I recognize the patch on his back.

I know there’s an Inferno’s Clutch MC charter out here, but I didn’t think I’d run into any of them. When the guy turns slightly, I realize who he is, and damn if it doesn’t make tonight all the more interesting. It’s Brake. I haven’t seen him in a while but here he is, and he’s talking to the woman for the night. A grin falls into place as an idea hits me. It could work or it couldn’t, but I’ve got a gut feeling that it will.

To hell with the meeting, I have my eyes set on something else. Something much better.

* * *

I shake away the memory of our time in Florida and focus on the now. I can’t do anything right now about Faye, but there is something I can do about Brake. He’s tense and if I don’t do something soon, he’s going to snap. When he does that, he’ll do something he’ll regret.

“What do you want me to say? Tell you I’m all happy rainbows and unicorns? Shit’s been non-stop and I’m sick of it,” Brake snaps and shrugs his brother’s hand off him. “You know I’m happy for you, and I’d do anything for anyone here. I’m just sick of the drama.”

I don’t miss the pain that flashes in Brake’s eyes, and I can’t blame him. Lately, it seems it’s one thing after another with the bullshit. Most recently, it’s been due to a sick bitch trying to hurt Lyrica. The way she went about it was not something I expected. It was more Lifetime movie style, and I’d swear that’s where she got the idea.

Then there’s what happened with Faith and the stalker bitch who claimed she had Axel’s baby. The whole thing was nothing but a shitstorm. Think the only positive thing to happen lately is Lyrica’s babies were born and they’ll be okay. This ties with the fact they were surprised with another baby they didn’t even know about, and that’s a whole other shitstorm that threatens to do my head in. It would do that to anyone. No one should have to go through what they’ve been dealing with.

“I get that. We all are. But that’s not what’s got you in a mood. Come on, Brake, tell me what’s going on,” Tyres demands, crossing his arms. You could tell he was not gonna give in and drop the subject.

I know Brake hasn’t told his brother about Florida. It was easy to figure out when I first got to the clubhouse to visit.

“Why don’t you just drop it? We’ve got shit to do.” The way Brake’s nostrils flare means it’s time for me to step in.

“No, because I want to know what the hell is going on with my brother, and you need to tell me.”

“Yes, please, tell him,” I say smugly, stepping from the shadows. They’re not the only ones that have things to do. I’ve got to make sure Brake’s good so we can find Faye, and I can’t do that with him fighting with his brother.

Brake’s head whips around in my direction and he levels a glare on me that if I were anyone else might make me shiver in my shoes, but it doesn’t. And in all honesty, I’m done with him fighting me, which is what he’s done since I got to town. He won’t listen to me, but it’s time he does. It’s not just his woman missing—it’s mine too. She’s the glue that keeps us together, whether either of them wants to admit it or not.

Florida wasn’t a fluke, and it’s time they both figure that out.

“Go the hell away, Lawson,” Tyres commands, thinking he can scare me away. “This is between brothers and you ain’t one.”

“You’re right.” I smirk and ignore him as I step even closer, moving in Brake’s direction, eyes glued to him. “I’m not a brother, but I am a lover. Isn’t that right, Jax?”

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