“Con?” I said softly in confusion.
“He’s gonna need a minute, Aleks. Just stay behind me, okay?”
“I should tell him I’m sorry,” I said. “I… I should take my punishment without argument.”
Con looked over his shoulder at me. “Aleks, the only thing you need to worry about is him hugging you a little too tight,” he said with a little grin. “You’re not the one whose ass he’s going to kick.” He motioned to King. “Why do you think I called King in for backup?”
I looked toward the other two men and saw that King was standing just a few feet from Luca. And Luca actually looked a little nervous.
“Vaughn said you try to make them talk things out before they fight,” I said.
Con chuckled. “Even I’m notthatgood,” he said.
The huge door suddenly flew open with violent force. Vaughn’s eyes swung to mine and I swore I saw the slightest bit of relief in them. Then it was like he forgot all about me and he was on Luca without a word.
It was a violent encounter and Luca didn’t seem to be doing more than trying to defend himself. I didn’t actually see him throw a punch.
I shouted Vaughn’s name a couple of times, but he completely ignored me. King finally intervened, but Vaughn turned on him instead.
“Get your fucking hands off me!” he snarled as his rabid eyes remained on his brother.
“He’s had enough, Vaughn!” King said.
“I’ll say when it’s enough!” Vaughn responded. “You’re no longer my brother!” he bit out, then his eyes were on King, then Con. “We’re no longer family!”
“Vaughn, it was his—” Luca began, but Vaughn hit him hard.
“Shut the fuck up! Don’t tell me it was his fucking choice because you guilted him into it!”
When Vaughn slammed his fist into King’s face, I felt the tears start to fall.
“Vaughn,” I said softly, though I knew he wouldn’t hear me. Con moved away from me and toward the struggling men. All four men began shouting so loud at one another that I knew I’d never be able to get Vaughn’s attention. I looked around desperately, then grabbed a large sculpture that looked like a green rock. It was heavier than I would have thought, but I didn’t care. I also didn’t care what punishment damaging it would earn me.
I pulled my arm back and with every ounce of strength I had, I let the thing fly. I’d expected it to just make a hole in the window and figured the breaking glass would make enough of a sound to be heard. But to my horror, the entire floor-to-ceiling window shattered and the sound was deafening as glass flew. Fortunately, none of the glass hit me or any of the other men.
There was a beat of silence as we all looked at the window.
And then everyone was looking at me.
Luca’s face was covered in cuts and bruises and his lip was bleeding.
King had a fresh bruise on his cheek.
Con and Vaughn both seemed unhurt.
“James,” I whispered as my eyes met Vaughn’s.
“Get out,” he practically snarled, but I knew he wasn’t talking to me. His eyes never left mine as the other men silently left the room. I didn’t look at them.
I had eyes only for him.
He was looking at me like Luca had the night before when I’d first spied him on the porch…
Predatory.
That was the word.
But unlike with Luca, I wasn’t scared.
