“Old Terror and I have made an arrangement,” Dad continues, “but it hinges on you taking on a responsibility to ensure no one in this family will be harmed by our enemies.”
Of which we have many. You can’t work in drug trafficking in Fury, Georgia, without upsetting competing cartels.
“I don’t need to sign anything because everything will be fine.” I choke up as I say the words because it’s too far along, and I can’t make myself believe it anymore, especially as I stand here, forced to see the state he’s in. “Why did you send the doctor away? He should be here.”
“Please, listen to me. You must form an alliance with the Lordes…one that seals our families together. I’ve amassed too much debt to manage on my own, and I won’t be able to sleep until I know you all will be cared for.”
“What do I need to do? Sign this?”
I find a pen on his nightstand, then flip through the pages for the place to sign, and once I find it, scrawl out my signature.
“You should read it,” Dad insists.
“It doesn’t matter because you’ll be fine.”
“Then let me explain it to you.”
“No. If it’s something mundane, then it doesn’t matter, and if it’s terrible, then it’ll give you a reason to stay alive. Because you wouldn’t leave me if you knew I was going to suffer, would you?”
I’m perverse, saying something so horrible to him when I know there’s nothing more he can do. But I’m desperate.
“It won’t be so horrible,” he assures me. “But you will have to do what you must to keep everyone safe. Promise me that.”
“It doesn’t matter because it won’t come to that.” It’s hard to tell whom I’m trying to convince at this point. But it’s clearly not working since I can feel the tears coming on, and as much as I want to stay with him as long as I can, if I don’t leave soon, he’ll see my weakness. And he won’t believe I’m the one who will be able to care for our family.
He takes my hand. “You’re a good older brother. And you’ve been a great son. No matter what happens, know that I love you.”
There are the fucking tears.
“I just need to head to the bathroom,” I say, avoiding eye contact.
Dad releases my hand. “Go, then. The fate of our family has been sealed, and I feel better now.”
I give him a hug, then hurry out, avoiding these assholes who’ve come here and stressed him out, likely taken minutes, if not days, off his life. Fuck them.
I don’t make it far down the hall before the tears are sliding down my cheeks, and I push up against the wall, burying my face into my forearm. I wish I could scream, but I hate how close I am to his room, that he’ll hear me, so I stifle it, pack it down until it’s just rage and tension in my chest.
Because in my heart, I know how close we are to the end.
I must accept that.
No, I can’t! I won’t!
1
LOGAN
Ten years later
“Happy birthday, motherfucker,”Wrath says.
“Happy birthday,” Masters adds before the three of us down shots.
It’s been a fun party with my bros—two of them, at least—and friends. We went out for food and cake earlier, and now I’ve had enough alcohol that I’m starting to get horny, which is why I keep eyeing the blonde in the red dress.
“I think it’s love,” Wrath teases.
“Shut the fuck up.”
