Big Country knew he’d taken things too far when Stormy popped him upside the head for claiming he’d begged her to stay and all he’d gotten for his efforts was her derision before she’d stomped away.
After everyone ate, Big Country called them all into the family-room.
“All right y’all, two items need to be dealt with before this celebration continues. First, I’m enacting Brood Law.”
Mama began to protest and a few of the Brood mates looked distinctly uncomfortable. Everybody not Brood simply seemed confused by the shift in energy so Big Country explained.
“When a Brood mate betrays another, the offended is awarded the right to exact whatever punishment he sees fit. Then it’s settled.”
Big Country crossed his arms over his chest, was silent for a good long time as he contemplated Lynx, then shrugged.
“Sorry cousin, a betrayal’s a betrayal,” he said, and Lynx grimaced and nodded as he stood. Mama began to intervene, but Terry pulled her back.
“Law is law.” Lynx nodded, and that was all it took for Mama to settle down. None of the others would interfere.
“Dude,” Lynx shrugged. “You gotta admit, it all worked out for you in the end, right?”
“I got no concern forin the end,brother, because the end result ain’t what this is about, what this is about is you and me. This is about trusting the integrity of our relationship—as brothers.” He hung his head. “What has put you above every other man in my life is knowing I could trust you above all others to have my back, that I could take you at your damn word above all others. But you went and threw your lot in with Mama, building one lie on top of another because you thought you knew what was best for me.
“I trusted you with all of me, brother. Everything. And my heart is fair to breaking because I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to trust you the same way again.” Big Country looked toward the ceiling, unable to blink for fear that the moisture gathered would spill out.
Lynx could barely look him in the eye, his shame evident.
“You’re right, brother,” Lynx said, as his whole demeanor became resolute. “I believed Stormy was the perfect woman for you. That didn’t mean I’m free to leverage your trust to get you to see it. Not trusting you to work it out without my interference, that’s a betrayal. I apologize, man, I’ll do whatever I have to do to atone.”
Unfolding his arms, Big Country brought his fists up to chest level, clenching and unclenching his hands as if building power within them.
“You got to take a couple of licks to the face, brother, just as a reminder that ifeveryou take a notion to meddling around in my life like that, there’ll be harsh consequences.”
Lynx took a deep breath and nodded once, standing firm, a man willing to take whatever was coming to him to prove he was worthy of Big Country’s trust.
“If it’s not too much to ask,” Lynx said. “Could you avoid the pre-existing injuries?”
It was then that the non-Brood members of the group understood that there was going to be a physical price to be paid for Lynx colluding with Mama and manipulating Big Country to get him together with Stormy.
When they realized that, Stormy and Mrs. Redmond had to be physically restrained to stop from interfering.
Big Country rolled his shoulders and shook out his arms like a boxer about to step in the ring to wage war. “Sorry brother, though I don’t like to see you in pain, this is how it’s got to go to make things right between us.”
Big Country stepped to within striking distance of Lynx’s rigid six feet one frame, knowing his friend would take his punishment. He was Brood.
Big Country lunged forward, gripped each side of Lynx’s head and pressed his lips against Lynx’s cheek, giving him the biggest, wettest, cheek-sucking kiss before stepping back and grinning. “I love you brother, you gave me the chance to free my soul, the chance to fall in love, and for that, I’ll never be able to repay you—”
Lynx stared at him, golden brown eyes wide, mouth agape in horror, his hand trembling less than an inch from his slobber-drenched cheek. “What did you…” His lips turned down in disgust and his nostrils flared.
“—but I promise, I will make it my life’s work to return the favor.” Big Country grinned. “That I guarantee.”
Lynx touched his hand to his face and gagged as he pulled it back and saw the coating of saliva on his palm. Then he screamed, sending everybody into fits of laughter. Big Country jumped back just as Lynx kicked out at him.
Mama and Mrs. Redmond weren’t laughing, they glared at him, fairly accusing him of murder.
“What?” Big Country said innocently, motioning toward Lynx holding his slobbered-down cheek pathetically. “I was just thanking him is all.”
Next Big Country walked over to Stormy, reached for her hand, and motioned for Mr. Redmond who returned the envelope Big Country had given him and his family to review.
“Now, it’s not that I don’t trust you, Stormy, but I have to be sure you understand what you’re choosing if you choose to be with me. I can’t leave the Brood because they’re family and the work we do is needed. I’ll cut back if that puts you at ease, but I’ll do this job ’til I can’t do it anymore.”
She started to say something, but he held up his hand. “By the same token, the work you do is important, and I’m living proof that you’re damn good at it; But darlin’, I’m not gonna lie, you stay with me and you may very well lose that license you’ve worked so hard for.” He took a deep breath. “And that part of me that rages, it’s still in there, darlin’, but I swear I will never harm you—”
