by L. A. Casey
Damien’s brows were drawn together. “My brothers, do they know what he is up to?”
“I’m confident that they do.” I swallowed. “Keep what I’m about to say between you and me, okay?”
Damien nodded.
“All of Ryder’s money—our money—is gone.”
Damien’s jaw dropped open. “I don’t understand. How?”
“I’ve no idea,” I said with frustration at my situation. “I asked about it, but Ryder threw up his wall and blocked me out so eventually I stopped askin’ and just started payin’ the bills and for food out of me own wages.”
Damien looked more confused than I felt.
“It gets more mind bogglin’,” I frowned.
“Jesus, how?”
I gnawed on my inner cheek.
“Dominic’s money is gone too, and so is Alec’s. Ryder told me about a bad investment they made with Brandon Daley. It’s why Dominic started to fight again, he needed money and he knew fightin’ got ‘im good money and that bein’ a personal trainer didn’t. He tried the ‘normal’ side of workin’ and it’s obvious he finds fightin’ is best suited for ‘im. I’m sure me sister is in the dark as to what happened to his money, too, she’d tell me otherwise.”
I hated not telling Bronagh the real reason I thought Dominic was back fighting, but I couldn’t do it. Not now. Not while she was pregnant for him.
I turned my attention from my thought back to Damien and noticed he was processing everything I told him, I could see the wheels turning in his mind as he thought.
“How could I not know any of this?” he whispered after a few moments of silence.
I frowned. “You’re the baby of the family. From the start, the deal was to keep you out of the life they were roped into, and I guess they’re still tryin’ to protect you.”
Damien growled. “I don’t need any fucking protection. I’m not a damn child, Dominic is only four minutes older than me!”
I sighed. “I know that, sweetie, it’s just that you’re precious to them. They risked everythin’ to see you safe, it’s a trait that’s instilled in them. You can’t blame them for wantin’ to keep you safe from harm, can you?”
“No,” he agreed, “but I’m not in danger anymore. Marco and Trent, they’re dead.”
“And thank God for that,” I said and blessed myself.
“I don’t see why they couldn’t fill me in on their problem. I’m a brother, too.”
“Of course you’re a brother, too. You’re my favourite Slater brother, if I’m being honest… don’t tell Alec that though.”
Damien managed a snort. “You say I’m a Slater brother, but since that day back in New York with Trent when he baited me into a fight about my dad, I’ve felt like nothing but an outsider to my own flesh and blood.”
“Damien,” I whispered.
He sighed. “I’m cool, it’s cool. Don’t worry about me, you’ve got enough going on.”
I wanted to argue that I’d always worry about him no matter what I had going on, but he didn’t give me a chance.
“You stay here in case Ryder comes back, I’m going to see Dominic. I’m bringing all this to him. He may be silent with you, but let’s see him give me the run around.”
I blinked. “You look a little scary right now, Dame.”
His lips quirked. “Well, hell, I might be a Slater after all.”
“Smartarse.”
He kissed the crown of my head then walked out of the kitchen, and a few steps later, out of the house, closing the front door behind him. I didn’t like the silence, so I got my phone and dialled my sister’s number. I put my phone to my ear and waited for her to answer.
“Hello?” a cheery male answered.
Dominic Slater.
“You word twistin’, weight liftin’, fight pickin’, cock suckin’, son of a bitch!”
My future brother-in-law gasped. “I have never, and will never, suck someone’s cock you misinformed wench!”
I gripped my phone tighter. “I’m goin’ to end you when I see you, Dominic.”
He was silent for a moment then he said, “Ryder spoke to you then?”
“Oh, Ryder spoke to me all right!” I snapped. “He came home and accused me of cheatin’ on ‘im, and he said he is goin’ to break one of Ash’s limbs and it’s all your fuckin’ fault!”
“What the hell is that screamin’ about?” I heard my sister’s voice. “Who are you talkin’ to, babe?”
“Bronagh!” I shouted.
“Is that Branna?”
“Yes, but—no, give that back to me now!”
“What’s goin’ on?” Bronagh asked me.
Her voice was clear now, a sign she took her phone from Dominic without much of a fight.
“Dominic told Ryder I was cheatin’ on ‘im!” I stated to my sister. “I told the lyin’ prick that Ash was me friend when he mistook us jokin’ around for somethin’ more than friendship, but he still called Ryder and told ‘im his views. Ryder thinks I’m cheatin’ on ‘im, Bronagh.”
“This has to be a joke,” my sister said. “It’s a joke, right?”
“No,” I growled. “And if that bastard you call a fiancé comes near me house again, I’ll gut ‘im!”
“Tell me she is lyin’!” I heard Bronagh growl.
“This dude had his hands on her hips—” I heard Dominic’s voice in the background.
“Did you tell Ryder you thought she was cheatin’ on ‘im?” Bronagh snapped, cutting Dominic off.
“I told him what I saw, and what it looked like to me, but he came to his own conclusions.”
“You didn’t tell ‘im that Branna told you he was harmless?” she pressed.
“No, I didn’t because—”
“Get out!” She snapped. “Get the hell out of this bedroom. You have no idea the trouble you have just caused them!”
“Pretty girl—”
“No, Dominic!” Bronagh spat. “Get. Out. Go find Ryder and make this right or I swear to God I’ll make you miserable!”
Things were silent for a moment then Dominic said, “How miserable?”
He was such an arsehole!
“Very miserable!” My sister warned. “You think you have blue balls now? You have no idea of the term, but unless you fix this you will. I promise you!”
I think I heard a door slam then came my sister’s tired sigh.
“I’m so sorry, Branna,” she said, and I heard the sincerity in her voice. “I can’t believe Dominic would do somethin’ like this. I don’t know why he didn’t believe you when you set him straight.”
My lower lip wobbled. “Me either.”
“Don’t cry,” my sister pleaded. “Not over that prick I call me other half, he isn’t worth it.”
I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand. “Ryder said he was goin’ to hurt Ash, do you think he will?”
Bronagh was silent for a second then she said, “I don’t know, Bran. Maybe you should call Kane and Alec, they could help find ‘im? He’d listen to them quicker than the twins.”
I nodded. “That’s a good idea, I’ll do that now.”
“I’m goin’ to get showered and dressed then I’ll come over to see you, okay?”
“Okay,” I said to my sister. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
When the phone line went dead I opened up my messenger app, and sent a message to both Kane and Alec to come to my house as soon as they could because I needed to speak to them about Ryder. I added to the message that he was okay just so they wouldn’t worry. Thirty-seconds after I sent the message I got two messages back saying they were on their way to my house.
I didn’t know how long I was sitting at my kitchen table, staring at the floor, but I snapped out of it when I heard the sound of a key in a lock. The noise of the front door opening sounded and my heart jumped up to my throat.
“Branna?” Alec called out.
My stomach churned on the diminished hope of it being Ryder com
ing home.
“In the kitchen,” I called out as I quickly grabbed the sweeping brush and began to sweep up the mess I made earlier.
Alec and Kane entered the kitchen, and they both greeted me with a kiss on the cheek, and tight hug. When he stepped back, Kane frowned at my cleaning bits of potato off the cupboards.
“What happened?” he asked.
“Me and Ryder, we had a big fight.” I sighed. “I lost me temper and smashed a plate so be careful you don’t step on any bits I may have missed when sweepin’.”
Alec whistled. “Did you hit him with the plate?”
I shook my head. “I threw it at the cupboard when he stormed out mid-argument. His poxy phone beeped, and as usual, he left the house to do God knows what or God knows who.”
Alec’s gaze hardened. “Ryder isn’t cheating on you Branna.”
“How am I supposed to know that?” I snapped. “How am I supposed to know anythin’ anymore? He leaves the house for hours on end every day, he is gone every night and he never tells me where he is goin’ or who he is goin’ with. I can’t take the lies and secrets anymore. I can’t fuckin’ do it!”
Kane and Alec’s mouths were agape when I finished shouting, and it did nothing to settle my burning temper.
“I know you both know what he is up to, but don’t worry, I won’t pester you both with questions because Ryder should be the one to tell me what he is fuckin’ around with. I deserve to know.”
Alec scratched his neck. “Things are very complicated, Branna.”
“Me life is complicated, Alec, and it’s why I’m settin’ out to uncomplicate it.”
Kane stepped forward. “What does that mean?”
“It means,” I said with my head held high, “that I’m breakin’ up with Ryder. I’ve been plannin’ on doin’ it but haven’t found the right time. I’m realisin’ now that there is no right time, so the next time I see ‘im, I’m just doin’ it.”
“Are… are you serious, Bran?” Alec asked, his eyes wide.
I nodded. “I’m sad, Alec. I’ve been sad for months. We either fight or ignore one another, there is no in-between and I refuse to live like this anymore. I don’t love this version of Ryder. I love the man he used to be, but I am through waitin’ around for him to reappear. I deserve to be happy, and Ryder, as he is now, doesn’t make me happy.”
Kane scrubbed his face with his hands. “This will change…”
“Everythin’.” I finished for him. “Yeah, it will change everythin’, and that’s the point. I can’t live like this anymore so I’m gettin’ out.”
“Have you talked to the girls about this?” Alec asked. “Keela hasn’t mentioned anything about you wanting to leave Ryder to me.”
“Neither has Aideen.” Kane chimed in.
“Aideen is busy with Jax, Keela is busy with her writin’, Bronagh is pregnant, and Alannah is swamped with work. They’re all under enough stress as it is. I didn’t want to burden them with problems that don’t concern them so I kept this to meself.”
“Nothing about you is a burden, Bran,” Alec frowned.
I managed a small smile. “Thanks Alec, I appreciate you sayin’ so.”
“It’s the damn truth,” Kane firmly stated. “You’re family, and family isn’t a burden. Understand?”
I nodded, and my mind wondered if they would still consider me family after I broke up with their big brother.
“When you find Ryder, please, don’t tell ‘im any of this. I have to talk to him about this meself, okay?”
Both of the brothers glumly nodded.
“What set him off anyway?” Alec asked a moment later. “What was the big fight about?”
I filled them in on what went down with Ash at work earlier in the day, and what Dominic said to Ryder about it.
“I’ll kill him!” Kane growled, talking about his younger brother.
Alec grunted. “Not if I get my hands on him first.”
I chewed on my nails. “You don’t think Ryder would hurt Ash, do you? He really is me friend, and I’d never forgive Ryder if he hurt him.”
Kane and Alec shared at look.
“What does that look mean?” I questioned.
Alec sighed and looked at me. “I’m not going to lie to you, Bran. Ryder, when he is pissed and pushed to the edge… he can be, well, terrifying. He hasn’t been that angry in a long time, I honestly don’t think you’ve ever seen him lose it before, and I don’t want you to either. We’ll find him and bring him home to you.”
I swallowed down bile. “Thank you.”
They both nodded and stood. “Let us know if he comes home in the meantime.”
“I will.”
When they left I was on my own with just my thoughts for company, and that didn’t bode well for me because, like earlier in the day, my mind drifted to happier times with Ryder. It was like I was hurting myself on purpose by remembering how incredible things were with us, but I couldn’t help it.
Ryder, the way he used to be, was my addiction, and like any addict I had to have him in any way possible, even if that way was just a memory.
Five years ago…
“Just sit her down and tell her about Ryder.” Aideen demanded. “She won’t go crazy like you think she will.”
“But she will.” I groaned and adjusted my phone against my ear. “Bee doesn’t like people, and she especially doesn’t like me bein’ with people. Men in particular.”
Aideen clicked her tongue. “She’s goin’ to have to take the stick out of her arse and get over it. She can’t stay closed off forever, and she can’t expect you never to have a relationship. You’ve been datin’ Ryder over eleven weeks now, Branna, the longer you leave it the worse it will be when you do eventually tell her. You love ‘im so it’s time to introduce them.”
“Shhhh!” I hissed. “Don’t say that out loud!”
Aideen laughed. “No one can hear me, you freak.”
I relaxed. “Just don’t say it out loud, I’m still overwhelmed that I have feelin’s like that for ‘im. We’ve only been together a few months.”
“You’re spendin’ a shit load of time with ‘im on the sly, what did you expect to feel for ‘im?”
I frowned. “I don’t know, but love definitely wasn’t it.”
“Well, you love ‘im,” Aideen said firmly, “and that’s not just goin’ to go away because you’re scared. It will only grow and develop into an even deeper lover the longer you’re with him.”
“I know,” I groaned. “I know that it’s time for Bee to meet ‘im but just don’t know if now is the right time. That Nico kid in school has been a huge bother for her, then she was jumped by that girl a couple of weeks ago and I just don’t know if I should throw this curve ball at her. She is stressed as it is, Ado.”
“Bring her to Darkness to cheer ‘er up,” Aideen suggested. “She’s eighteen now. Bring her out for her first official drink and have some fun. Slip Ryder being your boyfriend into the conversation somewhere after her fifth or sixth drink. She’ll take the news much easier then.”
I blinked. “That’s actually a good idea.”
“I’ve been known to have them,” she grinned.
I smirked. “They’re few and far between.”
“You’re such a bitch,” Aideen quipped and laughed.
“But of course,” I teased then sobered. “What time will you be at the club?”
“Sorry, babe, I can’t make it tonight,” Aideen grumbled. “I’m in work at seven tomorrow mornin’ which means I’ll have to be up at six to shower. Me class is going on an outin’ and we leave at eight.”
I groaned. “You mentioned that, but I didn’t think it was this week. Shite.”
How can I do this without my partner in crime?
“I’ll be there in spirit,” Aideen quickly said. “Don’t back out of it.”
“I won’t,” I sighed, “but I’ll be more nervous without you there.”
“You got this, Bran.”
&nbs
p; I bloody well hoped so.
After I got off the phone with Aideen, I ventured out of my room and went down the hall to Bronagh’s. I knocked on her door and entered her space when she shouted out for me to do so. I was glad to find she wasn’t watching television, but was reading a book on her Kindle instead.
“What are you readin’?” I asked as I approached her.
“Life Interrupted by Yessi Smith,” she replied, not glancing away from the screen.
I smiled at how engrossed she was. “Is it good?”
Bronagh nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah, but I really want to physically harm this one character, he defines the word psychopath.”
I chuckled. “Sounds intense.”
“It is,” she agreed, “but I like intense.”
I stood idle by her bed for a few moments and it made my sister smile as she switched her attention to me.
“Ask whatever it is you want to ask me,” she said, her eyes laughing at me.
I licked my lips. “Do you want to come out with me tonight?”
Bronagh blinked. “Like, to the cinema?”
I shook my head. “Clubbin’.”
She widened her eyes. “You want to bring me clubbin’?”
“Yep,” I chirped. “You’re eighteen now, you’re legal. I want to have some fun with you. I want to cheer you up to after all that’s happened with that Nico shite and the fight you were in.”
“Thanks, but I’m not exactly a social person, sis, do you think a club is the best place for me?”
“You’ve gotta start somewhere, kid.”
Bronagh mulled it over and I saw in her eyes that she wanted to reject my invitation, but she took one look at me and sighed in defeat. “Fine.”
Thank you, Jesus.
I whooped. “Atta girl.”
“What will I wear?” she asked and pushed her bed covers from her body.
“Go and get showered,” I encouraged. “I’ll go and to pick out somethin’ for us to wear, okay?”
My sister reluctantly nodded before she left the room and headed for the bathroom. When I heard the door closed, I snuck down the hallway and re-entered my room and grabbed my phone. I dialled Ryder’s number and pressed the phone to my ear.
