Michael strides towards the crumbling church remains with confidence. He’s alone, as requested, and I can’t see his ride. My eyes narrow, and I wait until he’s close enough to ask, “Where’s your ride?”
“Will dropped me at the end of the road. He’s getting us a room in town,” he says.
Right, okay, that makes sense. He stops three feet from me, and I extend my hand in greeting. “Thanks for meeting me,” I say as we shake hands.
“Yeah, well, I can’t have you fucking this up,” he grunts. “Where is she?”
“Safe,” I tell him. “What’s Daddy think you’re up to?”
Michael lifts a shoulder. “Fucked if I know, or care. He doesn’t trust me anymore. He’s got my brother Daniel looking for her.”
That doesn’t surprise me. “You tell him we’ve talked?”
“Yeah, arsehole, I told the fucker trying to make me kill my own fucking sister that I’m going to see her to keep her the hell away from him,” he shoots back sarcastically. “What do you think?”
“Sorry, but I have to know where you stand right now,” I explain, even though that’s perfectly obvious.
“I haven’t spoken to him since just after you came to the estate. I asked if you were full of shit or if my mother really was this Gina. He denied everything, like I knew he would. It’s not like he’d admit to making me fuck with my sister’s head. Anyway, I played along, did my part in making him think I believed him. He’s going to want me to prove myself before he lets me in on anymore of his plans,” he says sliding his hands into his pockets.
Grazing my palm against the scruff of my jaw, I contemplate what Bradshaw’s next move will be. We need an insider. He’s unstable, making him too unpredictable to anticipate.
“So, what’s your big plan to keep Kalista safe?” Michael says, his gaze locked on me.
My chest deflates. “I was hoping you could give us a little more to go on, give us an idea of where Bradshaw’s at. But if he’s cut you out…” I shake my head in frustration, running my hand through my hair, “we’re fucked, unless you have something to bring to the table.”
Michael’s top lips lifts in a sneer. “I fucking knew it. You’ve got nothin.’ And you think you can protect her.” He turns his back to me, his hands lock behind his neck as he yells, “Fuck,” into the sky.
He twists back to face me, thunder in his eyes, and I know what’s coming. He stalks towards me. “You said you could protect her. How the fuck do you plan on doing that when you don’t know what the fuck he’s planning?”
My fists clench by my sides, my body rigid, ready to attack. But I hold myself in check. Flying off the handle right now isn’t going to solve anything. Breathing hard through my nose, I tell him, “Back the fuck up. I’m every bit as pissed as you but beating the shit out of each other isn’t going to help get her out of this fucked up situation,” I hiss.
Cautiously, he takes a step back, eyeing me. “Why are you so invested in this? The senator paying you extra to put your life on the line for her?”
I laugh. It erupts from my chest and I can’t stop. He clearly knows nothing about Lissa’s father or her life. His puzzled expression only adds to the humour of the situation. “You have no fucking clue, do you? Her father is a piece of shit, just like yours. If you think he gives one shit about her outside of what she can help him achieve politically, you’re wrong.”
He raises an eyebrow. “No shit.”
It takes a minute for my laughter to die down, then I cut to the chase. “She’s been shown no more love than you have. Except she was alone in her misery; you have your brothers.”
Shaking his head, he grips his hip with one hand. “I didn’t know.”
I shrug. “How could you? You don’t know her. I had the same preconceived notion of her as you before I realised who she is. Who she really is outside the spotlight and camera flashes at the high profile events she attends. And yeah, I am more invested in her than I would be any other client. She’s mine, and I protect what’s mine.”
Understanding dawns on him. “Oh, you’re bangin’ my sister. Is that what you’re sayin’?”
“No, fuckstain. Well, yeah, but it’s not like that. I love her.” The words roll off my tongue before I can stop them. My hands clench into fists, I’m outraged that he could think she’s nothing more than a good time to me.
A grin pulls at the corner of his mouth, and he looks a little uncomfortable. “Yeah, right okay, whatever.”
“Back to the point. What’s your big plan to look after her?” I ask, changing the topic. I am not discussing my sex life with Kalista’s brother. That shit is just wrong.
Wiping the tip of his nose with his thumb, he clears his throat. “I know where he has contacts. I was going to take her somewhere he doesn’t have anyone in his pocket. We’d need to keep moving. Wouldn’t be able to stay in one place for too long. He’s not going to stop. I saw it in his eyes that day. This is something he’s not going to let go of.”
“Yeah, that’s not going to work for us. She doesn’t want to live a life on the run, constantly looking over her shoulder, waiting to be found. And I know you don’t want that life for her either.”
Dropping his head back, again looking to the sky, he answers, “No, that’s not the life anyone wants, but it’s what will keep her safe. And most importantly …” He lowers his gaze to hold mine, “alive.”
He has a point, but so do I. A loud rumble comes from my stomach. I rub it, soothing the rabid beast inside trying to eat itself. Fuck this. “You hungry?” I ask. “I’m fuckin’ starving. I can’t think straight on an empty stomach.”
Michael nods, and I start for my car, parked around the side. “Come on, let’s eat. We can figure this shit out over some food and coffee,” I tell him as I walk and he catches up, keeping pace beside me.
Once in the car I dial Axel’s number, the call going through the Bluetooth system. His answer echoes through the car as I turn it around and head back out to the road. “S’up, fuckface?”
Michael snorts. I glare at him and answer my brother, “We’re heading to your place; he’s on the level. Start cookin.’ I’m fuckin’ starved.”
I don’t wait for his response before ending the call.
When I’m done, Michael speaks up, “I’m calling Will. What’s the address? He’s already in town.”
I side-eye him. “If he’s not alone, they will shoot him,” I tell him flatly. I told the boys that he would more than likely have his youngest brother with him, so they know to possibly expect him to show up.
Michael’s muscles lock, and he swallows. “He’s alone. Who the fuck is they?”
“My brothers, and a couple of other guys,” I say, not giving him too much information. Not yet at least. “As long as he’s alone they won’t give him any trouble.”
He nods, pulls his phone from his pocket and dials his brother. He speaks quietly into the speaker, then holds the phone towards me for the address. I tell the kid where to go, and Michael hangs up, returning his phone to his pocket.
A plan begins to form in the back of my mind as I drive. It’s a solid plan, if Michael agrees to it.
Twenty-five minutes later, we pull into a park outside Axel’s log cabin. Will has beat us here and he’s still sitting in the car, awaiting our arrival. Michael nods to him. Only then does he exit. Smart kid, I note, as I lead them up to the house.
Alec and Axel are waiting for us by the front door. We exchange nods when I reach them, then I turn and do the introductions.
“You’ve met Alec,” I tell Michael and he nods, extending his hand. Alec takes it, shakes it once, then releases him. I tilt my head over to the far left. “And this is our brother, Axel.”
Again, Michael shakes hands, then steps back.
“Boys,” I say to my brothers, “Michael and William Bradshaw.”
Axel steps down and offers Will a hand. Will glances at Michael before accepting it.
“And how do you fit into all this?” Axel asks him.
The kid swallows. “I’m Michael’s brother. Where he goes, I go.”
I’m impressed he kept his voice steady, even though he looks like he’s so nervous he wants to puke.
Michael claps him on the back. “Can we eat now?” he says to me.
We enter the foyer and Kalista flies out of the sitting room, throwing her arms around me, holding me tight. “How did it go? Will he help me?” she asks, her sole focus on me, she doesn’t even notice the extra men into the foyer with us.
Michael clears his throat.
Kalista snaps her neck in his direction instantly. Her eyes widen momentarily, but she doesn’t cower. Straightening her spine, she pulls away from me ever-so-slightly.
“Hello,” she says, before she notices Will. She looks to me, then Michael again, before staring at Will. “Who’s that?”
“He’s my brother,” Michael says without hesitation.
Kalista nods, her eyes raking over both of them. “I can see it,” she murmurs. “He has the same sharp features as you. Your hair and nose too.”
Will beams. “You think?”
She nods. “Definitely.”
Michael rolls his eyes at his younger brother, and that’s when Lissa’s focus hones in on his eyes. Examining them, stepping towards him, she tilts her head back to keep him in her sights. “Your eyes,” she whispers.
He looks down into hers, seeing her as his sister for the first time since laying eyes on her. I can’t fathom how they must be feeling right now.
“Let’s give them a minute,” I say quietly, and everyone else filters out of the room except for me and Will. We do retreat some though, to give them space, but I don’t leave her alone.
I’m not sure what he says, but tears spill from her eyes and she wraps her arms around him and presses her tear-streaked face into his chest. At first, he stiffens, then slowly brings his arms up and wraps them around her shoulders. I look away, this moment far too personal for onlookers. Even me.
The smell of bacon has me glancing back to them over my shoulder, making sure she’s alright before stepping farther away from her, and closer to the food. Will’s stomach rumbles. “Get some food, Kid.”
He looks conflicted, “But—”
“I think they’re good now, yeah?”
A minute passes, then two. Will stays by my side watching Michael and Lissa but gradually edging closer to the kitchen at the back of the house. I have a clear line of sight on Kalista as she embraces her brother.
Michael’s head rest atop Kalista’s, his eyes are closed as he holds her, he looks at peace. They both do. My heart pounds in my chest feeling the raw emotion emanating from them all the way down here.
Bringing Michael here was undoubtedly the right thing to do.