30
As dawn tried to usher in the morning against the grim night, Heath prowled around the decoy office, making sure all the cameras were on and capturing the entire area. This was the last day his brothers could stay in town. Madison and Cobb would be closing in.
So was the serial killer. He could just feel it. Sensors had been placed in the floor, so they’d know instantly if anybody breached the perimeter. The locks would then engage. “This is a bad idea,” he muttered. The walls started closing in, making it hard to breathe.
The stairwell door opened, and Denver stumbled into the office.
Ah hell. Heath took in the dark circles beneath Denver’s eyes. “What are you doing up?”
“Can’t sleep,” his brother muttered, stalking over to his desk. “Thought I’d grab a drink.”
“You’ve been drinking all night.” It was a guess but not a tough one. Denver’s eyes were bloodshot, and his movements were a little slower than normal. Oh, Heath would take a drunk Denver to cover his back over most men, but even so. “Dude. Your liver is going to start rebelling.”
Denver rolled his eyes and yanked out his desk drawer. The pain gripping him wasn’t going to let him loose.
Heath moved toward the kitchen. “Maybe I’ll join you.” It was time they talked. Ryker usually handled the emotional stuff, but he had his hands full with keeping Zara safe and now planning a wedding. What was a chocolate fountain, anyway? Heath grabbed two coffee mugs off the counter and approached the desk. His heart ached to see his brother hurting. There had to be something he could do.
Denver pulled out a bottle of Jack to pour into each cup. “No talking.” He dropped into his chair.
Heath rolled a chair over, frustration sharpening his movements. He was being a crappy brother, and he needed to help Denver now. “Wrong. There will be talking.”
Denver sighed and tipped back his glass.
Heath shook his head. “I’m barely holding on here, man. You’ve got to tell me what’s eating you up so badly.”
“Nothin’. Just life.” Even after a full night of drinking, Denver sounded stone-cold sober. That had to be a bad sign. “I feel like a sittin’ duck here.”
Wasn’t that the truth? Heath eyed the walls again. “Yeah. I get that.” When the newspaper article hit the paper that morning, they would have all but sent an invitation to Sheriff Cobb to track them down. “We’re stronger than Cobb is, you know.” Together they were stronger than any enemy.
“Yep.” Denver poured more booze into his cup. “Though monsters from your childhood always seem bigger in your mind.”
“True,” Heath whispered. Denver could be the quiet philosopher when he wanted. Heath had always liked that about him. Heath took a sip and let the liquor burn down his throat, the feeling sharper than the guilt of letting his brother get to this point. “I’ve been lax.” Too caught up in his own issues.
“You’re fine. We’re fine,” Denver said somberly. “Stop blaming yourself for everything.”
“I don’t.”
“Sure you do. Probably something having to do with your mom dying young.” Denver turned the cup in his hands, his gaze becoming thoughtful.
Now even Den was a shrink. Heath opened himself to the possibility. “You’re probably right.” Yet he still owed Denver his best, and seeing the guy hurting slammed a helplessness into him that actually ached. He set his cup down and absently rubbed the scar on his palm. “Ryker and I were good friends before you showed up at the boys home.”
“Yep.” Denver studied him.
Heath shifted in his seat. “We became a family when you joined us.”
Denver looked at his own scarred hand. At the line making them brothers. Officially. “I know.”
Heath fought for patience. He could do this. “Are you regretting leaving Noni behind?”
“Are you going to leave Anya?” Denver asked quietly, his shoulders slumping.
Heath jerked back. “This is about you.”
“Nope. I had to leave Noni. We’re not normal, Heath.”
No, they weren’t. They’d seen the darker side of life—they’d embraced it and made it their own. Most people wouldn’t get that. “You’re right. Anya has no idea. I can’t take somebody that delicate on the run from Cobb and Madison. That’d be crazy.”
Denver nodded. “So you get it. You’re wrong about her, but you do get it.” He scratched his chin. “Plus, you and I know we’re waging a war, and we’re going to try to keep Ryker out of the line of fire.”
