* * * *
Millie yelped and dropped the metal box on the floor as a man tore her from the SUV. She immediately kicked out with her kitten heel, grateful for its pointed edge.
“Yo,” a man yelped.
She looked up. “Lonnie, what are you doing?” She struggled in his arms and he pivoted, putting her against the truck.
“What areyoudoing?” he yelled, his face lowering to hers, his cheeks blazing red.
For good measure, she kicked him again. “Looking for evidence that your brother drugged me the other night.”
He still had his hands on her arms, so she shoved him in the midsection. “Let go of me, Lonnie, before I really hurt you.”
He swallowed and took a step back, apparently reading her intent. Yes, she had been about to kick his balls through the roof of his mouth. Behind her, a series of grunts and growls echoed. Pushing Lonnie even farther away, she hustled through the pounding rain to see Scott and Silas locked in battle.
“Knock it off, you two,” she yelled.
They didn’t heed her. Silas punched Scott in the jaw, throwing him back against the vehicle. The metal crumpled with a loud protest. Scott instantly dashed forward, punching Silas in the face and several times in the gut. Silas doubled over.
Oh, that was enough. Somehow, her purse was still over her shoulder. She yanked out her 9mm, pointed it in the air, and fired several shots. Everybody froze. Slowly, both Scott and Silas turned to look at her.
“Knock it off,” she said again, this time letting her voice rise above the storm. “Silas, you’re being a complete ass. You know I didn’t kill your brother.”
Silas’s hands curled into fists and his chin lowered. “I don’t know that.”
“Of course you do. You’ve known me most of my life. Yes, Clay and I broke up a long time ago, and yes, I somehow was drugged and ended up in his bed. But you know me, Silas.” She could see the turmoil in his eyes, but she didn’t have time for this. Lonnie stood at her side, his hands in his pockets, silent in his grief.
“You guys, I’m really sorry somebody murdered your brother.” She looked at the two. “But I think, even through your anger, both of you know it wasn’t me. I’m trying to figure out who did it.”
And then in front of her eyes, Silas crumpled. He dropped to his knees.
Sympathy hit her hard, and she moved to him, only to have Scott pivot and put his body between them.
“He’s okay,” she said gently, pressing her hand against Scott’s flank. “I’ve known him a long time.” With that, she moved forward and placed her hand on Silas’s shoulder. The skies opened up even more, drenching them.
His heart-wrenching sobs echoed through the night. “He was my brother and I didn’t save him.”
She wanted to kneel and hug him, but the tension in Scott’s body stopped her. Instead, she leaned in and slid an arm over his shoulder. He pressed his face to her dress pants, and sobbed. “He was my younger brother.”
“Do you have any idea who wanted to kill him?” she asked softly, as the rain plastered her hair to her head and her suit to her body.
Silas sniffed. “I have no idea. It doesn’t make any sense. He was the one who got out. He was the one with the good future.” Silas looked over at his other brother. “Not that I don’t love it here, because I do, but...”
“I know,” Lonnie said, tears on his face. “I get it.” He walked forward and hefted an arm beneath his brother’s shoulder to lift him up. “Come on, Silas. Let’s go get seriously drunk.”
“Do you want a ride?” Millie asked.
“No, thanks,” Lonnie said. “We’re going to walk. Silas’s place isn’t too far down the river. The rain will be cleansing.”
Silas’s shoulders straightened and he turned to look over his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Millie. I know that you didn’t kill my brother. I’ve just been so angry.”
“I understand,” she said softly, meaning it. “We’ll find out who did. I promise you.”
Scott cleared his throat. “Did you or did you not hire the hit squad that tried to take out Millie the other day?”
Lonnie rolled his eyes. “Of course not. Where would we hire a hit squad?”
Millie’s heart ached for the brothers. “I believe him.”
