“Your brother is a fucking idiot,” Jude barked.
He scrubbed one hand over his face and started toward the kitchen. Might as well start a pot of coffee. “I know you didn’t call me at six o’clock in the morning to tell me old news.”
“He texted his buddy yesterday, bragging about hiding the stolen drugs in Jane’s purse. Said with her out of the way, he’d finally be able to get to you. He’s done, but I wanted to let you know I called in a wellness check on your parents.”
His blood ran cold. “Why?”
“He’s unhinged. If he’s willing to kill his brother for a small portion of a life insurance policy, why not take your parents and sisters out of the equation and take all of it?”
He shook his head and stopped in the middle of the kitchen beside the center island. “The life insurance is only paid out if I die during active duty.”
“He doesn’t know that.” Jude’s words made his adrenaline spike.
“I’m hanging up to call them,” he said with renewed urgency.
“Stay vigilant.”
Sully gripped the edge of the cold granite countertop and pulled up his mother’s number. With each unanswered ring, his chest grew tighter.
“Hello?” When his mom’s voice filled the line, his muscles went weak.
He let out a huge breath and bowed his head. “Mom, do me a favor. If Bentley comes by, don’t answer the door.”
“What? But, honey, he’s already here. He never came back after you and Jane left the night before last, but yesterday he showed up and asked to stay in the spare room.”
His heartbeat began to race. “Are you in your bedroom?”
“Yes, it’s barely past six. Sullivan, you’re scaring the crap out of me. What’s going on?” He could hear his father’s voice in the background.
“Give the phone to Dad.” There was some shuffling and a few mumbled words.
“Son, what’s happening?” his father demanded.
There was a light touch on his shoulder, and he turned to find Jane behind him. He wasn’t surprised she’d woken up with the noise he was making.
“Jude has new information about Bentley. He might be dangerous. I want you to lock the bedroom door and stay put until I get there.”
“The day I lock myself in a room, hiding from my own child, is the day I want you to put me in the ground.”
“If you won’t do it for me, do it for Mom.” He gripped the counter more tightly, his knuckles going white.
“I can protect what’s mine,” his father grumbled harshly. He heard the open and close of a drawer followed by click of a number lock. His father was going for his weapon.
Knowing he wasn’t going to get through to his dad, he hung up the phone and turned to Jane. “Bentley set you up. Jude uncovered text messages that he sent to a friend. Your name’s going to be cleared.”
She leaned in and kissed him briefly then stepped back. “Go to your parents. Make sure they’re safe.” Her voice was calm and unwavering. Again, he marveled at this woman’s strength.
“You’ll be okay here?” He glanced toward the front door, then back and Jane, indecision grinding through his nerves.
“Yes, I’ll set the alarm and lock the doors. Go.”
He gripped her arms and pressed a hard kiss to her lips. “Don’t open the door for anyone.”
Jane nodded. “Be safe,” she demanded.
“Always.” He grabbed his cell phone, weapon, and keys and bolted out the door. His feet pounded across the pavement. With his eyes trained on his truck, he didn’t see the empty water bottle on the ground and crunched over it. Something about the sound made him freeze. The world narrowed around him and his pulse roared in his ears.
The sounds of footsteps. An uneasy feeling spiraling through his gut. “Look how the Golden Boy has finally fallen.” Bentley’s snicker. “Damn, you look fucked up. You should have seen how Mom and Dad scrambled to get a flight out. How panicked they were that their perfect son was laid up in the hospital. It was pathetic, really. But do you think they made a fuss six months ago when I sprained my ankle? Nope. They called and sent me a fucking fruit basket. Not that I’m surprised. It’s always been about you.” His brother’s voice shaking with rage. The crackle of a plastic bottle being opened. “You know what? You look a little thirsty there, too. Lips are all cracked and shit.” His chin being forced open. Water dripping down his throat. Wheezing. Choking. Machines beeping. Dying.
