Roman
I wrap my arms around myself to ward off the intense shivering currently coursing through my body. Watching Zayn getting hauled out of here in cuffs was bad enough before Kaiden and Maverick showed up. I recognized them instantly from my Google search last year. It’s freaky how much we all look alike.
“You don’t need to worry,” Maverick says, softening his tone and features. “We’re going to take care of everything.”
“You’re not alone anymore,” Kaiden says as they both approach like hunters stalking their prey. “We’re your brothers. I’m Kaiden, and this is Maverick.”
“I know who you are, and I’ve never been alone. I have Zayn.”
“He’s protective of you,” Maverick says. “It’s the Anderson way.”
“It’s the Becker way,” I retaliate, fighting panic as they close in on me. I move my hand to the back of my jeans and take a step back. “Stop. I’ve got a gun, and I know how to use it.” That’s not a lie. Zayn got both of us guns when we escaped Wakefield, and we regularly attend the shooting range. What is a lie is theinsinuation I have my gun on me because it’s actually tucked in a drawer in my bedroom.
Maverick holds up both hands. “I know you’re probably in shock, but we’re not here to hurt you. Let us help, Spencer.”
“That isn’t my name, and you heard my brother. You need to leave.” I puff out my chest, trying to impersonate Zayn’s confidence.
“Whatever you think you know, I promise there is much more to it.” Kaiden drags a hand through his dark hair.
“I know you murdered our guardian!” I blurt, taking another step back. “I know you’re elite and you’re all sick bastards and cold-blooded killers!”
“I thought Zayn was your guardian,” Maverick says.
“I’m talking about Denton.”
Maverick and Kaiden share a chilling look, and bile swims up my throat.
“Let me handle this,” Kaiden says to Maverick. “Call Hunt and get a lawyer to the precinct ASAP.”
Maverick pulls out his cell and punches a few buttons as Kaiden walks toward me with no hesitation.
“I’ll shoot you!” I bluff, keeping my arm behind my back.
“We don’t know one another, but I can sense you’d never do that. We just want to talk to you, Roman. We’ve spent years trying to find you and Zayn, and I swear whatever you’ve been told is not the truth. Just give us a chance to explain. If you still want us to go after hearing what we have to say, we’ll go.”
I know Zayn won’t like this, but I want to hear what they have to say. I know they’re dangerous men, but I don’t think they mean me any harm. It can’t hurt to listen. I’ve spent countless hours thinking about our family in Rydeville since learning of their existence last year, and now they’re here, it seems stupid to turn them away without finding out why they came.
“Okay, but I do have a gun in my bedroom,” I say, tucking both hands in the front of my jeans.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Kaiden says. “If you’re already tangled up with the elite, as we feared, you need to be able to defend yourself.”
“Hunt is on it,” Maverick says, coming up beside Kaiden.
“That’s Sawyer Hunt, right?” I rock back on my heels. “My brother interned at Techxet for a while, and my dad worked there for years.” Tears stab my eyes like always when I think of my parents and Pen. I don’t think I’ll ever get over their deaths. I miss them every single day.
“We’re aware,” Kaiden says. “Zayn gave us the information we used to lock William Hamilton in jail.”
My eyes pop wide, and I shake my head. “No way. Zayn wouldn’t do that. Hamilton helps us now Denton is dead.”
“Fuck.” Air whooshes out of his mouth as he shares a grim look with Maverick. “This is much worse than we thought.”
“Let’s sit,” Maverick suggests. “We have a lot to discuss.”
I lead the way over to the couches.
“How long have you lived here?” Kaiden asks, sitting on the arm of the couch while Maverick drops into Zayn’s gaming chair.
I perch my butt on the arm of the other couch. “Since Denton rescued us from hellhole.”
