Jaxon closed his office door and gave Bryce a man-hug. “Glad you’re here.”

“Wow, look at this place.” Bryce looked around his big modern office. “You’ve really made something of yourself, hey, bro?”

Jaxon chuckled. “With a lot of blood, sweat and tears. I hardly took any time off for the first five years, and I practically slept in the office—not this one, but a much smaller one. Then I got lucky in year six when the company won an award. The exposure we got from that was great. So really, the real growth has been in the last three years.”

“Very proud of you,” Bryce said with a hint of envy.

Jaxon sat down, eyeing Bryce. He’d decided it was time to tell his brother about his issues with their stepfather. It might just give Bryce the push to open up to him a little bit more. He simply needed something meatier than what he’d been getting. So much time had already passed, and he still didn’t know what Bryce was hiding from him.

“You know,” he said quietly, “I was set-up by Joseph not long after you left.”

Bryce frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I discovered that Mum tried to borrow money from another friend. I got so angry because it meant she’d lost everything our grandpa had left her. But I knew it was Joseph taking advantage of her, so I went to confront him. He told me to mind my own business, that he was entitled to do as he pleased with Mum’s money because he was her husband. He was so damned smug that I just saw red, and I punched him on the face.”

Bryce’s mouth dropped before he let out a delighted laugh.

“To my surprise, his reaction was to ask me to follow him to his home office. He opened the bottom drawer of his desk and told me to look inside. I did, and he had a gun in there. He said that he could kill me and be able to plead self-defence because he had evidence I was violent towards him. I couldn’t believe it.

“When he rushed towards the drawer, I was sure he was going to get the gun. Looking back, he was probably already trying to set me up. But I was stupid and impulsive back then, so I hurried to grab the gun before he could. He tried to wrestle it away from me, and it went off. He screamed and dropped to the floor. He could have planned that too. In fact, he probably did.”

Bryce’s brows rose high.

“The bullet only grazed his thigh. He took his shirt off to stop the bleeding. Then Mum burst into the room and caught me still holding the gun. Joseph yelled at her to call the police, saying I just tried to murder him. I tried to explain to Mum it was an accident and that I was confronting Joseph about her inheritance. She said I shouldn’t be worrying about that because she was simply using it to enjoy their lives. But I didn’t believe her. You know how Mum’s always covering up for the bastard.”

“Yeah.”

“Anyway, stupid me, I didn’t put the gun down first. I was still worried Joseph might make a go for it. I didn’t realise that he’d taken photos of me with his phone, waving the gun around as I spoke to Mum.”

“You’re kidding,” Bryce murmured.

He shook his head. “Joseph called Pat—his doctor friend—to come, and I was relieved it wasn’t the police he’d contacted. Anyway, Mum asked me to leave the room. A couple of minutes later, she told me to rejoin them. It was then that Joseph showed me the pictures he took of me with the gun in my hand, with Mum looking at me in horror and anger. He said he had all the evidence he needed to prove that I’d tried to murder him.”

“What a fucker,” Bryce seethed.

“I argued that the gun was his. He swore he didn’t even have a gun, and I realised it must have been unregistered. And Mum kept on looking at me angrily. She clearly believed his version of the story. I knew then I was in deep shit. Who’d believe me when a high-profile lawyer—who’s now a Supreme Court judge—claimed I just tried to kill him and had photos of me brandishing the gun that shot him?”

“So he pressed charges?”

“Mum profusely begged for him not to. So for Mum’s sake, he agreed to hold off on it, with the proviso that I butt out of their lives. I initially refused, but he threatened that if I didn’t leave them alone to enjoy a peaceful life, then he’d make sure I ended up in jail for attempted murder. Mum urged me to agree. She told me later she was scared I might disappear on her like you did. Anyway, Joseph’s threat is ongoing. He warned that this kind of crime isn’t covered by any statute of limitations, so if I so much as shake their lives in a way he’s not happy with, he’ll get me charged. It’s unfortunate he has those pictures, plus Mum will back him up because she believes his version of the story. Can’t say I blame her, though. You and I have always had big fights with Joseph. Mum knows we can’t stand him, so it wasn’t a big stretch for her to believe I tried to kill him. And she did see me holding the gun while Joseph was on the floor.”

“That is just…” Bryce shook his head in disbelief.

“A few months after the event, Mum said she’s forgiven me and that she loves me no matter what I’ve done. I wanted to make sure she’s okay, so even though she still refused to believe me, I agreed to reconcile with her.”

Bryce’s chest heaved, but he remained silent.

“Bryce…” Jaxon hesitated. “I’ve always wondered if Joseph manipulated you as well somehow. That’s the only reason I can think of why you haven’t contacted me even once. He was determined to break up our family, and he succeeded.”

Bryce stared at him, his eyes moistening.

“What happened?” he asked softly.

Bryce rubbed his face with both hands. It was a good minute or two before he spoke. “One time, Joseph, Mum and a private investigator came to my apartment. They just barged in, and Joseph told me to hand Mum’s jewellery over. I didn’t know what the hell he was talking about. I was stunned that they were accusing me of theft—of Mum’s own stuff! Joseph said he didn’t want to call the cops on me, so he was letting the PI look around my apartment. He stayed with me in the living room while the PI—with Mum insisting she wanted to watch him—looked around for the items. To my complete shock, they found a box in my bedroom with all the jewellery plus several bags of drugs. I couldn’t believe it.

“Mum started crying, and all I could say was I didn’t know how that had gotten there. Then Joseph told me he won’t report me to the police if I left him and Mum alone.”

Jaxon nodded in encouragement.

“The next day, Joseph came back,” Bryce said, his tone more bitter. “He said he learnt that I was applying for a job at a company owned by a good friend of his and that he had no choice but to tell them about me being an untrustworthy thief and drug dealer. The bastard was sabotaging my employment opportunity and he knew I had no way of proving he was lying. Anyway, he said I had a choice. I could work for him and do everything he says or he’ll have to do the right thing and ensure I never get employed by anyone ever. I tried to fight back and said the truth will come out eventually. But he said that if Mum didn’t believe me, why should anyone else?”

“I wish you’d told me about this when it happened!”

“I was shit-scared of being charged as a drug dealer at only twenty-years-old, and I didn’t want to get you involved in any way. So I decided to disappear for all our sakes. Turns out he did something similar to you too.”

Jaxon put a hand on Bryce’s shoulder, sympathy for his brother swelling in his heart and anger at Joseph rising from his gut. “I’m so sorry, bro. I wish I could see a way to out Joseph. But right now, we’ll be the ones to lose if we take any action since he’s the one with evidence. One wrong move and he’ll pounce. He’d even insinuated that he wouldn’t be happy if I accepted the invitation to be a regular mentor on that show Biz Q & A.”

“What? Why was he butting into your business?”

“As you know, that show loves to emphasise the rags to riches story of some of the mentors. The advisers have to talk a lot about their personal history when giving advice to those newbie entrepreneurs. Joseph was probably scared I’d use the show to one-up him, so he reminded me in a very subtle way that I won’t want the repercussions of being—in his words—famous.”

Bryce shook his head. “I’d love to wring the bastard’s neck. But you’re right. We should probably leave things as they are. Joseph’s a fucking supreme court judge now.”

“I know you said you had friends who gave you a fake ID. Ever thought of…you know…getting revenge against Joseph?”

“Just in my head. Anyway, let’s call Mum now. See how she is. Put her on speaker.” Bryce indicated the office phone sitting on Jaxon’s desk.

Jaxon filled his lungs with air. There was that deflection again. He was glad to finally learn about Bryce’s reason for disappearing, but nothing that Bryce had said pointed to the kidnappers.

Maybe Bryce was not involved with them?

He started dialling their mother’s number. Admittedly, he was curious about what was going on with her too.

“Jax?” Tonia Bridge said.

“Hi, Mum, how are you?”

“I’m good. Why are you calling?”

Jaxon smirked. “Don’t you like hearing my voice?”

“Of course, I do. But you hardly ever call. I always call you.”

He smiled cheerlessly. That was true. “Apparently, you heard from Bryce.”

There was a moment of silence. “How did you know? Did he call you too?”

Jaxon narrowed his eyes at his brother, who simply shrugged. “I’m surprised he didn’t tell you that we’ve already met.”

“Have you? That’s great! How does he look? We only spoke on the phone.”

Jaxon looked pointedly at Bryce.

“I look mighty fine, Mum,” Bryce said with a snicker.

Tonia gasped. “Where are you?”

“In Jaxon’s office. We want to talk to you about Joseph.”

“Oh, there’s nothing to talk about there,” Tonia said in a careful tone. “He’s still the same stubborn guy who won’t be happy to know that both my sons are talking to me again.”

“I bet,” Jaxon said, crossing his arms. “He probably doesn’t want anyone reminiscing about the times that he set me and Bryce up to make it look like we’ve committed a crime.”

Another long silence. “No. He won’t be happy with that,” Tonia said quietly. “So why don’t we agree not to talk about any of that?”

“Mum,” Bryce said. “The last time we spoke, you sounded like you believed what I said. Are you now changing your mind again? Are you still thinking that Jax and I could have done those things?”

Tonia sniffed. “I do believe you’re both telling the truth. And I ask you both to forgive me. I should have known you couldn’t have done those things. I’m so sorry.”

Jaxon glanced at Bryce, his breath shallow. Wow. He couldn’t believe this was happening after all these years.

“Why are you still with him?” Bryce asked.

“Because… because…” Tonia sighed. “It doesn’t matter if I believe you or not. He is still more powerful and influential than you. If we make him angry or suspicious, he might make public accusations against you. Heaven knows he’s threatened to do that often enough when I said I wanted to reconnect with you.”

Jaxon raked all fingers through his hair. “It’s just not right. We have to end this absurdity.”

“No,” Bryce said. “Mum just needs to leave the fucker.”

“No, my darlings,” Tonia said quietly. “I’m staying with him.”

“Because you think you have too, right?” Bryce prodded. “Why is that, Mum?”

“Things are fine as they are. Except not being able to meet with you freely, I’m…happy with him. I’d love to see the both of you more often, but please don’t ever ask me again to leave Joseph.”

Jaxon shook his head in frustration. “Is he hurting you? Whatever he does, we can fight him. But we’ll only win if we’re all together in this, so you have to be brave enough to speak out against him.”

“No,” Tonia said hurriedly.

“Is he hurting you?” Jaxon asked more insistently.

“No, he’s not.”

“We’re here for you, Mum,” Bryce said. “You don’t have to be afraid.”

“Yes,” Jaxon confirmed. “He doesn’t even have to know you’ve been talking to us. We can help you disappear.”

Bryce raised his eyebrows at him.

Jaxon hid a smile. Bryce had no idea what he could accomplish as part of the Indie Rebels team.

“No,” Tonia said in a stronger voice. “He’s not hurting me. I’m fine. There’s no reason to get him angry. It’s the two of you, not me, who’s gonna suffer.”

Jaxon sighed. “So how much of your money’s left?”

Tonia didn’t answer.

“Why don’t we get together?” Bryce said. “Just the three of us. In secret.”

“Okay. When?” Jaxon asked.

“I have the weekend off,” Bryce said.

“I don’t know,” Tonia said hesitantly. “We tend to meet with friends during the weekends.”

“Weekdays, then,” Jaxon said. “I’ll make time.”

“What about nighttime? I’m not as flexible during the day,” Bryce said.

“I’m sure we can all find some time during the day,” Jaxon said, not wanting to leave Holly at night. “You’re here right now. I’m sure you can meet us around this time again.”

Bryce shook his head. “I can’t guarantee that. Nighttimes work better for me.”

Jaxon squinted. “You’re not worried about your client being alone at night?”

One side of Bryce’s lips tugged up. “No. She’s got good security at home. And I’m sure she has family to call on.”

Jaxon kept a bland face. A couple of weeks ago, Bryce had acted so concerned about Holly being alone at Avalon that he’d gone to visit her. Now he didn’t care? Or was Bryce trying to get Jaxon out of his house again at night?

“Well, I prefer nighttime too,” Tonia said. “Joseph often asks me to do errands for him during the day, but I’m usually by myself at nights, and he doesn’t come home until very late, usually eleven. He prefers to stay in the office to study his cases.”

Jaxon hesitated. But even if Bryce was indeed trying to get him out of his Avalon house on a nighttime, he still needed to help his mother.

“Okay,” he said. “When exactly do we meet?”

“Tomorrow night?” Tonia asked. “I know for sure Joseph’s coming home late tomorrow.”

“Okay. How about we meet at your city pad, Jax?” Bryce asked. “That’s a lot closer to Mum’s.”

“Mum hasn’t seen your place yet,” he countered. This might be his chance to hide bugs in Bryce’s apartment.

“If it’s closer to me,” Tonia said, “then I’d rather meet at your place, Jax. We’ll have more time to talk.”

Damn it! “Okay. Let’s meet there at six tomorrow,” he conceded. “In my city apartment, okay? That’s closer to Mum.”

“I can’t wait to see the both of you together,” Tonia said tremulously. “It’s been so long.”

“Yeah, it’ll be good,” Bryce said.

“See you, Mum,” Jaxon said.

“Bye,” Tonia said with a sob before hanging up.

Jaxon sat back, placing his hands on his head.

“Holly should be fine alone at Avalon tomorrow tonight,” Bryce stated.

“I know,” he said with confidence he didn’t feel.

“Or she could stay over at her brother’s, although she’s not crazy about that idea.”

Jaxon nodded. How much had Holly revealed to Bryce regarding her security plans? All of it, he guessed.

“You like her,” Bryce said with a smirk.

He snorted. “Who doesn’t? She’s Holly Stirling.”

“You never answered my question about whether you want to make a move on her.”

“I don’t think you ever asked.”

“I believe I raised the subject.”

Jaxon shrugged, his mind whirling. Just how obvious had he been? “I’ve got a crush on her, but she’s not interested. I think she sees me more like a big brother because I’m very close to Xavier. Anyway, that’s probably a good thing. Can’t say I’m that interested dating a superstar. Just look at all the hassles and complications.”

“That’s true.”

“You seem to be very interested in Holly’s dating life.”

Bryce laughed. “She’s very attractive. But I agree with you. Dating superstars like her will be more trouble than they’re worth. And I don’t want to get sacked from my job.”

“Yeah, not a good idea, especially for you,” Jaxon said lightly. “Anyway, I can’t wait for us to talk to Mum.”

Bryce’s expression turned serious. “We have to do our best to encourage her to leave Joseph.”

“Yes.” He stared at his brother. “I have to say I’m surprised that you’re this concerned when you hadn’t talked to her in ten years.”

Bryce pressed his lips together. “Call it guilt.”

Jaxon let out a breath. He hoped Bryce didn’t have anything else to feel guilty about.

“I better go,” Bryce said, getting up.

“No time for coffee?”

“No. Holly’s finishing soon and she wants to go to the shops to get something before heading home.”

“With her disguise, I presume?”

“Always with her disguise,” Bryce said with a chuckle, waving goodbye.

“See you, bro.”

When Bryce had gone, Jaxon hid his face behind his hands. This whole thing was driving him crazy. Unfortunately, he had no choice but to go with the flow for now. He wouldn’t be able to get the answers he needed by forcing anything.

He grabbed his phone to text Holly.

He laughed at Holly’s apparent enthusiasm.

He inhaled deeply. Xavier would indeed be shocked. But he had to tell his friend about him and Holly anyway. They were both Indie Rebels needing to keep Holly safe.

Holly sent him a kiss emoji, and he decided to respond in kind.

And, just because he was feeling good from their short texting, he sent two more kisses.

He’d never thought he’d be one to enjoy text messaging instead of actually speaking with each other. But he loved it with Holly.

Well, he was loving anything with Holly.

In fact, he was already more than halfway in love with Holly.

So Bryce better not do anything to her.

Because no matter the circumstances, he loved his brother too.