When the chaos finally slows, I crack one eye open.
Master Brax stands at the front door, gun pressed to the older man’s head. Lord Grayson is free but staggering, clutching his throat and coughing.
Behind me, Killian and Liam hover, tense.
“Grayson owes me money!” barks the man. “So does Killian!”
“I don’t give two fucks.” Brax’s voice grumbles. “Not in my house. Not threatening my family.”
A crack of gunfire as Brax shoots the painted muggle through the arm.
Blood splatters across the carpet.
I stare in awe. My brother! More powerful than Snape himself!
The fat henchman and the painted one drag their bleeding comrade toward the door. The older man follows, his arm dripping red.
I did that,I think, wonderstruck.I cut him.
Master Brax waits, gun steady, until their battered Suburbanspeeds away.
Only then does he turn and say, “Somebody explain why slimy Bobby Morris was in my house.”
Charlotte huddles in a throw blanket, her legs shaking. “I thought he was Grayson’s brother.” She sniffles. “He said he just got out of prison and needed a ride. I thought… I thought it’d be a nice surprise.”
Brax’s mouth tightens. His knuckles whiten on the gun. “Prison,” he spits. “How can you be so fucking dumb?”
“Not everyone who’s been in prison is bad!” Sister Charlotte protests.
“Name one.”
She blinks. “Mom.”
Silence.
Brax glares, but it’s a different kind of anger. He’s bitter and sad.
“If she was good, she wouldn’t have left me stuck with two retards. One who fights with swords...” He throws a hand toward Charlotte. “...and you, practically begging to be raped.”
Their arguing blurs, the words crumbling like ash around me. I stare at the blood on the carpet.
“Aye, Atticus,” Liam says gently, touching my shoulder. “You alright, man?”
I nod. “I’m fine.”
He helps me up.
“You did good, man,” Liam says. He claps my back. “You saved your sister.”
I flush hot, my cheeks burning.
I saved her.
Iama hero!
Chapter 15
Grayson
