“Shoot the dumbass,” country boy growls.
Atticus lunges forward with his eyes snapped shut and chops his sword downward, slicing Bobby’s arm.
Just then, Liam and Killian rush through the patio door, guns aimed. Brax storms through the front, his own gun raised, barrel pointed square at the back of Bobby’s skull.
They must’ve seen the Suburban, scoped it through the window, and planned a sneak attack.
“Nobody fucking move.” Brax’s voice is calm but sharp.
Bobby stiffens. Brax presses the barrel harder against his head.
“Let go of Grayson or Bobby dies.”
The wire around my neck whips free. I crumple, coughing, hacking, dragging air into my burning lungs.
“Now,” Brax says, voice hard as iron, “the four of you fucks get out of my house.”
Bobby raises his hands slowly. “Grayson and Killian owe me money.”
“You came to the wrong fuckin’ house to collect,” Brax growls. “Handle your shit somewhere else.”
And then —crack!
Brax fires.
Tattooed douche screams as the bullet rips through his bicep, blood splattering the wall.
Brax jerks the gun back to Bobby. “Next one goes in your head.”
Now theyreallymove fast with their hands up.
At the door, Bobby turns, locking eyes with me. “This ain’t over, Grayson. That girl? She told me where you work.” He flashes those big, ugly teeth. “Expect a visit. And you better have my money. If not... we all like peaches for a snack.”
My stomach drops. I know what he means.
Charlotte.
I should tell Brax. I should tell him he just threatened his sister. But he might kill Bobby. I can’t be involved in a homicide. Not with my record.
I’ll fix this.
The front door slams. The Suburban peels down the street. Brax doesn’t move until they’re long gone. Only then does he look at Killian and me. I’m still doubled over, clutching my throat, trying to breathe normally.
“Take care of that,” he says, flat. “You two. Don’t come back here until you do.”
Fair.
His family was in danger because of me.
“And why the fuck was Bobby here?” he adds.
I want that question answered, too.
Charlotte’s covered with a throw blanket. She stands quick and blurts, “I answered Grayson’s phone that he left on the coffee table. I thought it was an emergency. That guy, Bobby... he needed a ride. Said he was released from Cutter today and was Grayson’s brother. I wanted to surprise him.”
“You fuckin’ idiot!” Brax explodes. “How can you be so retarded?”
“I... uh... not all people in prison are bad!”
