Lion was settled into one of the wicker chairs on Luna’s front porch. He sat regally, one leg crossed over the other, back ramrod straight like a king. His presence turned Luna’s house, something bright, cheerful and beautiful, into something nearly sinister.
Jack approached with caution, half expecting to be ambushed even though it wasn’t quite dark. Perhaps hit over the head again, like the last time he’d gone what he thought was one on one with Lion. What would they do to him this time? He sensed that waking up with a strange tattoo was the least of his worries.
Show no fear. No emotion. Don’t give him the foothold he wants and needs. Play it calm. Steady. That was a hell of a lot easier said than done. As Jack climbed the three steps up to the porch he barely restrained himself from throttling the smug man in front of him. He wanted to stride forward, wrap his large hands around Lion’s throat and squeeze until the guy divulged what he’d done with Luna.
Lion didn’t bother to stand. He crossed one thick leg over the other. The grey hairs that stood out at the temples of jet black hair and the wrinkles that lined his eyes, mouth and cheeks, smoke to a life hard lived reminded Jack that Lion was no longer a young man. He was at least a good eight years older than Jack, if not more.
“Took you long enough to show. I was beginning to think you didn’t really care about her after all.”
The hair on the back of Jack’s neck stood on end. His fist literally itched, begged to be slammed into that smug look. Again and again, until Lion was nothing more than a bloody pulp.
Jack froze a few steps away from Lion. How had he once called this man brother? Looked to him for guidance the way only a lost child could. “If you’ve done anything with Luna… harmed her at all- I swear I will kill you.”
Lion tipped back his head and laughed. The sadistic kind of chuckle that sent a shiver racing up and down Jack’s spine. He’d heard that laugh before. The laugh of a psycho, someone who didn’t feel anything for anyone, who had no regard for other people or the law.
“Smart of you, Jack. Not bothering to hide what you’re really thinking. I can always tell, you know. You might be able to hide in plain sight from everyone else but not from me. Nope. I know you too well, Jack. I can hear all those churning thoughts, all those words you never utter because you think they’re safer inside than out. I know you. I helped create you.”
Jack took another step forward. Though his shadow fell over Lion, the other man refused to be intimidated. Jack expected no less. Lion knew no fear. He never had. He’d lived on the streets for far too long. He made his own laws and waged his own wars. Which, if the guy hadn’t given himself the ridiculous moniker, was probably how he’d earned it.
“Why did you take her? She had nothing to do with you and me. You could have left her out of this.”
“You still don’t get it. After all this time. I told you that I wanted you, Jack. Your soul. You made us a promise. A vow, with your own blood. If you care for her, then she’s become a part of you. I own you and so I own her. I can do with her what I wish.”
Jack remained silent. What could you even say against logic like that? His hands balled into tight fists at his sides. The urge to bloody Lion grew even stronger. He had to deny it. Deny himself. It was the only way to find out what Lion had done with Luna.
Jack sighed and assumed a submissive stance that he did not feel. He let his shoulders sag, as though he was defeated. He forced his fingers to uncurl and remain straight, hanging down at his sides. He couldn’t look at Lion. The guy would know right away that his docile attitude was an act if Jack challenged him by holding eye contact. Kind of like the way you shouldn’t look a rabid dog in the eye.
“What do you want with me, Lion? I’ll come with you. I’ll do whatever it is you want, just please, let Luna go. We both know that a brotherhood doesn’t include women. Especially not ones who haven’t grown up tough like we did. She has no useful skills to you. Just let her go.” Jack finally looked up, in time to see Lion’s thin lips curl up into a blood curdling imitation of a bitter smile.
“We’ll see, Jack. What happens to your little girlfriend or fuck toy or whatever she is largely depends on you. You might be willing to come with me but are you willing to become my brother again?”
Jack’s lungs ached and he realized then that he was holding his breath, not daring to breathe. He couldn’t imagine going anywhere with Lion. That part of his life was over with. He wasn’t that man anymore, but he knew he would do whatever it took to make sure Luna was free and well. All of this, it only happened to her because of him. Because he’d been foolish enough to think she was safe with him. He should have known better. His touch turned everything good into something that was dead. He never should have gone near her.
Jack forced his head up and stared Lion down. He could only hope that the spark of integrity shining in the depths of his eyes was enough to make Lion believe him. “Yes. We were always brothers. I never forgot.”
A minute passed. Silence so thick it was actually tangible and oppressive. Slowly, so very slowly, Lion unfolded himself out of that chair. He stood, his worn black boots hitting the porch with a dull thud that seemed as load as any gunshot. He smiled and it was the closest thing Jack had ever seen to an honest, genuine expression on Lion’s sinister face.
With that smile, he knew he was back in. Back to a life he’d been foolish enough to ever think he could escape.