Until he isn’t.
His perpetual smile disappears when he sees me for the first time. In the same way my body reacted a few moments ago, he stops short, legs locking in place.
“Take her, Lionheart,” my brother mutters, shoving Kenzie toward him without breaking his stare.
This must be the first time she gets a full look at him. Her vision ping-pongs between us, and a cunty smile overtakes her face. “Oh, this is gonna be good.” She cackles until the big guy tightens his hold on her, causing her to gasp and sputter.
Music to my ears.
In my peripheral, the giant might as well be holding two dolls for how he deftly manhandles both women.
Footsteps approach from my right. Kri leads two others toward our family gathering of fuckery.
“No, no, no. Shit, shit, shit,” she whines as she takes in the unfolding scene.
“Oh, yes. Do you see the dumb look on his face? On both their faces?” Kenzie’s once more the picture of diabolical glee.“Couldn’t have planned it better myself. This is what you get, you bast?—”
Her words are unceremoniously cut off by a swift elbow to the mouth, compliments of Kri. Kenzie crumbles to the ground, moaning in pain.
I’m certain Leo could have held my sister up if he wanted to. The fact that he opted tolether fall brings me immeasurable pleasure. Maybe he’ll become my best friend too.
“Oops,” Kri jests, roughly hoisting Kenzie to her feet. “Didn’t see you there.”
“I knew I liked you,” I tell her with a playful wink.
“I’ve been wanting to do that all fucking day,” she tacks on, drawing a chuckle from me.
A man with eyes so blue you can see them in the dark steps forward. He points his stiff arm of warning my way. “Easy, Sawyer Squared. I’m gonna stop you right there. She’s taken.”
“So am I,” I return flippantly, loving how the words roll off my tongue.
Shit. Lila.I need to get back to her. Although safe, she’s probably upset.
Then again, recalling her confidence in the entire standoff withCarnage the Conquered, she’s likely more stable than I am. Especially given the latest developments of the genetic variety.
“Why don’t you take out the trash?” Leo says, addressing Kri and the others.
Aside from a few curious glances at Perry and me, they comply and haul Kenzie and Ginny away.
When I return my attention to my brother, some of his shock has receded. There’s a partial swagger in his gait as he removes the three feet separating us.
Despite the poor lighting, I get a good look at him. He’s close enough to touch.
Somewhere deep in my soul, a sense of rightness takes root. Seconds tick by, petals unfurling into a full blossom. Different than when I’m with Lila. But no less potent.
I don’t know what to do first. Do I hug him, tell him who I am, ask if he remembers me?
When I open my mouth to speak, he beats me to the punch.
He clicks his tongue, wagging his index finger at me. With a grin dripping with sarcasm, he whistles, then says, “Damn, you are one good-looking son of a bitch. Anyone ever tell you that? You must be swimmin’ in women.”
His friend Leo huffs. “Jesus Christ, Sawyer.”
I bust out in laughter, joy lighting me up from the inside. Perry joins in, patting me on the upper back when we double over.
Whether he realizes it or not, that’s the first time we’ve touched in more than thirty years.The moment crystallizes, hardening into a memory I’ll never forget.
Growing somber, he quirks his head, eyes narrowing at me. “Are you my doppelgänger or are we twins?”
