Page 112 of Dallas Rivals

“I remember you begging us to sleep outside,” Silas says quietly. “And after that night, you changed.”

“Yeah,” Luca adds. “You weren’t the same kid. It was like the sickness had taken your light when really…”

“It was him,” I finish.

“Fuck, Oliver…” Luca’s voice cracks. “Why didn’t you ask for help?”

The same question I’ve asked myself every damn day since.

“I was ashamed,” I admit. “Still am.”

“No,” Kill says, voice firm. “Not shame, not you. You’re the bravest man I know.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, eyes dropping again to the necklace. I can’t meet their eyes after that.

“Does Cala know?” Silas asks.

“She does. Has for a while. She’s the one who convinced me to do this—for me, and for the other kids he might hurt.”

Silas nods. “She’s a wise woman.”

“I know,” I say softly. “I’m damn lucky.”

Killian moves first, crossing the room. Without warning, he pulls me into a hug—tight, grounding. I let him.

Let myself be held.

Then Luca and Silas join in.

“We’re here for you,” Luca says when he finally let’s go. “Whatever you need.”

“I’ll probably have to warn the marketing team about some incoming bad press…” I start.

“Screw the company, Oliver,” Silas cuts in, his eyes fierce. “Don’t even think about that. None of us give a damn about the business right now. All that matters is you.”

I nod, my throat too tight to speak.

“Thank you,” I manage at last.

And for the first time in years, I don’t feel like that scared kid anymore. I feel like their brother again.

My brothers left this morning.

After last night’s talk, the three of them stayed for dinner—home-cooked—and we ended up talking past midnight. About life, about the things we want but never say out loud.

We’d never had a conversation so open, so honest. I learned more about them in a few hours than in all the years before. I heard their real fears—like when Luca admitted he worries about his little girl’s heart because she’s the gentlest, kindest soul he knows. Or when Silas confessed he’s thinking about retiring but doesn’t know if Julian will want to take over the company or chase a different dream.

Listening to them made me feel… less alone. Safe. Like part of a family again. For the first time in years, I felt a net under me—strong, unbreakable, and real.

“You ready?” Cala asks, gathering her things off the kitchen island.

We’re about to head to the town where I grew up—the same town where that boy was hurt by that man.

“Yeah,” I answer with a tight smile. “My parents are meeting us there.”

“Did you tell them anything yet?”

“No. I want to see their faces.” My tone comes out darker than I meant it. I guess, deep down, part of me still blames them most of all.