"We're not done," I said, even as I knew that we were—that we'd been done long before I'd walked into this cafe.
"Bradley should be here soon,” my mother stated. “He has something important to discuss with you."
The mention of my brother sent a chill through me. If my parents had been willing to sell me, what role had Bradley playedin all of this? I'd always known he was their golden child, but I'd never imagined he'd be complicit in something so horrific.
As if summoned by my thoughts, a familiar figure appeared at the cafe entrance, scanning the room until his eyes locked on our table.
My brother had arrived, and with him, the next chapter in this nightmare.
I turned to leave, desperate to escape the suffocating presence of the parents who had treated me like a commodity rather than a son, but my exit path was suddenly blocked.
My brother Brad stood there, his tall frame deliberately positioned to prevent my departure. The predatory smile that spread across his face sent a chill down my spine.
In that moment, I knew with absolute certainty that he wasn't just aware of what our parents had planned for me—he was an active participant.
"Going somewhere, little brother?" Brad's voice carried that familiar condescending tone he'd used my entire life, only now it was laced with something darker. "Mom and Dad aren't done talking to you."
I straightened my shoulders, trying to project a confidence I didn't entirely feel. "They've said enough. Move."
Brad chuckled, the sound devoid of any actual humor. "Always so dramatic, Connor. Just like when we were kids." His eyes, so similar to our mother's, assessed me like I was merchandise being evaluated for damage. "You're looking well. Better than expected after your... adventure."
"Let me pass, Brad." I attempted to sidestep him, but he moved with me, maintaining the blockade.
In one swift motion, his hand shot out and grabbed my arm, fingers digging painfully into my bicep with enough force that I knew there would be bruises. I winced, trying unsuccessfully to pull away.
"Harris is still very interested," Brad said, his voice dropping to ensure only our family could hear. "Paid extra after your little disappearing act. Seems you've become something of a challenge, and he likes challenges."
The casual way he spoke about selling me made my blood run cold. There wasn't even a pretense of familial concern—just the cold calculation of a business transaction.
"You knew," I said, the words barely audible. "You knew what they were planning."
Brad's grip tightened, his smile widening. "Knew? Connor, it was my idea. Harris is my poker buddy." He leaned closer, his breath hot against my ear. "When he mentioned his... collection, I thought of you immediately. Always the spare in the family, weren't you? Might as well be useful for once."
I fought against the wave of nausea that threatened to overwhelm me. My own brother had suggested selling me like property. Had sat at poker games and negotiated my worth with a predator.
"Let. Me. Go." Each word was forced through clenched teeth as I tried again to wrench my arm free.
"No can do, little brother. You're coming home with us." Brad twisted my arm behind my back in one practiced motion, the pain shooting up to my shoulder. "We've got a buyer waiting, and this family doesn't welch on deals."
I struggled against his hold, panic rising as I realized his intention was to physically force me out of the cafe. My father finally stood, looking uncomfortable, but making no move to stop Brad. My mother simply gathered her purse as if we were leaving after a pleasant family meal.
"Stop—" I started to say, but Brad increased the pressure on my arm, nearly bending it to the breaking point.
And then suddenly, the painful grip was gone. There was a blur of movement beside me, a sound like rushing wind, andBrad was on the ground, his arm bent at an angle arms definitely shouldn't bend. His face contorted in shock and pain as he looked up at the figure now standing between us.
It was the Thai man from the nearby table, his long black hair falling forward slightly as he looked down at my brother with an expression of mild interest, as if he was observing an insect rather than a man he'd just taken down in seconds.
"I believe he asked you to let go," the man said, his voice carrying a slight accent but perfectly understandable.
My mother's shocked gasp cut through the sudden silence that had fallen over the cafe. "Who the hell are you?" she demanded, fury replacing her usual calculated control.
The man straightened, turning to face my mother with an easy confidence that suggested he was completely unbothered by the situation. His grin flashed white against his olive skin, surprisingly friendly given what he'd just done to my brother.
"Kyue Panich Kincaid," he introduced himself with a slight bow that somehow managed to be both respectful and mocking. "Friend of Julian's." He turned to me, his expression warming. "Your husband sent me to make sure you're safe."
Husband. The word hung in the air between us, drawing another shocked gasp from my mother and a pained groan from Brad, who was still on the floor clutching his arm.
"Montgomery?" my mother whispered, connecting the dots. "You actually married Julian Montgomery?"
