Page 46 of Between Brothers

I hadn’t intended on painting anything, but the truth was, I didn’t know how to explain a sudden absence any more than I knew how to point my pistol at him and pull the goddamn trigger.

I’d been to every birthday party he had as a child and he’d never missed one of mine. I’d hugged him at his mother’s funeral and told him I’d be there for him, and I fucking meant it.

We did two rooms, before I pulled my phone out and glanced at the screen like someone had texted.

“Be right back, I need to move my bike so King can park the van,” I lied.

Rigs was in the bathroom, and nearly took herself out trying to get the door open.

“King is here?” she excitedly asked, but I ignored her.

I hurried outside and fired up the bike. It would be dark soon and I knew he wouldn’t wait much past dusk. He wasn’t one for pussy footing about much of anything.

Thankfully, there weren’t many people on the road, and I didn’t have far to go. I parked my bike at the base of the cemetery and began to march across the cemetery lawn, opting to surprise him if I could.

My heart dropped to my ass, when he topped the ridge without her and I watched him head toward the driver’s seat.

If he was driving, she was gone. No way in hell would she let him take the wheel.

The numbness that embraced me in that moment made me see him in a different light. He wasn’t just prone to recklessness, he was a cold-hearted killer. And suddenly, I didn’t question any of it.

He’d done it. He’d fucking meant it.

She came scrambling after him and I nearly cried out, drawing King’s attention to my presence at last. He squinted, watching me run toward them like a madman from the driver’s seat.

She was so focused on catching up to him and tugging on the passenger door that she didn’t see me. She ripped it open finally and climbed in like she thought he was going to take off without her.

“Get out!” she roared.

King didn’t respond, he just kept staring as I approached.

I couldn’t speak, not until those intense, green eyes landed on me, silently imploring me to do something with him.

“What the fuck is going on?” I threw my voice, “Get the fuck out of her car, King. What the hell?”

I wasn’t sure what to do, so I just started playing a role and spouting off.

My brother looked as confused as I felt. He stood up, not immediately stepping out of the space of the car door.

“I couldn’t,” I whispered.

Pure disgust crept into Kingston’s eyes.

“Fine. Do her,” he growled, shoulder checking me on the way past.

“What the fuck do you mean do me?” Kennedy exploded. “I’m not some fucking rag to be passed around–”

My brother tore off toward my bike, and I jumped into the driver’s seat of her car, causing her to abruptly stop speaking.

“Get out,” she hissed.

“If I get out, he’s going to kill you,” I whispered.

Her eyes widened and her fingers curled into a fist.

“Get out!” she roared.

“Kennedy, I’m not being dramatic. I’m not talking big. My brother means to put a bullet in you. So, sit back and let me do what I have to.”