Page 28 of Marked for Danger

“I came by because I learned my brother was in town, and I wanted to see him,” she finally answered him. Izzy paused before she whispered a low, “I’ve missed you, Olly. More than I can ever say.”

“I’ve missed you, too.” His throat worked a hard swallow. “A lot.”

The admission caused her damaged heart to swell and tears to form in her eyes. “Really?”

“You’re my sister, Iz. I know I’ve been a shitty brother, but—”

“No, you haven’t.” She moved closer to him. “You just had a lot handed to you at a very young age.”

“I wasn’t the only one. Yet here you are, a successful psychiatrist working with the heads of law enforcement.”

It was a conversation they’d debated ad nauseum, and Izzy sensed this wasn’t the time to rehash unwinnable arguments. So instead, she went with, “I wish you would’ve called when you first got back into town.”

An uncomfortable silence blanketed them before she heard a soft and surprising, “Figured it was best if I didn’t.”

“What?” She frowned. “Why on earth would you think that?”

He shrugged again. “Didn’t want my shit falling into your world, I guess.”

“Oh, Olly. You’re mybrother. My worldisyour world. At least, it could be if you’d let it.”

“I know you believe that, but—”

“It’s true.”

A few seconds passed before she picked up a small pad of paper and pen from the scratched and dented end table positioned between the couch and chair. Scribbling her number and address, she ripped the top sheet off and held it out for him.

“That’s the address to the precinct. I’ll be there at eight in the morning, along with Sergeant Riedell and SAC Hunt. If you decide you want to listen to what they have to say, come. If not, my address and phone number are below it. Those haven’t changed since you were here last.” When he didn’t take the offering, she added, “Help the FBI or don’t. The choice is one hundred percent yours. Either way, I’d really like it if we could stay in touch. If you want, that is.”

Her brother stared at the paper in her hand, and still he made no move to accept it.

Come on, Ol. Let’s use what time we have left to be a family again. Please, just take the paper.

He didn’t take it.

Accepting of the fact that he might just need some time to work through everything she’d intrusively dropped in his lap, Izzy carefully set it on the coffee table beside her. Returning the the pad and pen to their rightful place on the end table, she went back to him and sighed.

She’d told him it was his choice to help the authorities, and it was. Just like it was up to him to want to repair what had been broken between them so long ago.

Not wanting to push too much too quickly, Izzy stood directly in front of him. After a few trepidatious starts, she wrapped her arms around her brother and held him close.

He didn’t hug her back right away, but the moment he did…

“I love you, Olly.”

His hold tightened, and she felt a sweet kiss on the top of her head followed by a soft, “Love you, too, Sis.”

Twin tears fell from her closed lids, but she didn’t even care. She and her brother still had a lot to work through, but this was as close to a start as they’d been since he was sent off to prison.

“Not to sound like a dick, but you really do need to get out of here.” He pulled away far too soon. “It’s getting late, and nothing good happens after dark in this neighborhood.”

“Walk me to my car?”

“Let me grab my jacket.”

Feeling lighter than she had in forever, Izzy started for the door when it swung open with a bang. Standing in the door was was a man who radiated danger. Tall and meaty, his cold eyes roamed over her, his gaze settling on Olly with a sense of ownership.

“What the hell, man?” Olly slid his arms through his jacket sleeves as he marched toward the uninvited guest. “I told your ass last time, you need to knock.”

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