Page 39 of Irresistibly Wicked

“Alone,” Brian demanded.

“That’s up to Shauna. If she feels like she can trust you, you’ll have a chance to talk with her alone.” Zander hauled him forward, speaking through gritted teeth. “If you lay one finger on her, it will be the last thing you ever do. Do you understand?”

“Whatever, man,” Brian sneered.

“That’s not good enough. I want your word that you will not touch her, so if you do, she’ll know never to trust you again.”

“I won’t fucking touch her,” Brian barked.

Zander glanced at Shauna. “Do you trust his word on that?”

“Yes. I know he doesn’t want to hurt me,” she said, hoping it was true.

“Don’t disappoint her,” Zander warned. “She’s all you’ve got left.”

When he released Brian, Brian didn’t give him a second glance. Instead, his pleading eyes locked on Shauna, tugging at the heartstrings that formed from years of being each other’s lifeline. She struggled to keep from running over and hugging him, telling him everything would be okay if he’d just go to rehab. She had to be stronger than the urge to comfort him. Not only because he needed to believe he’d lose her, but because he truly would if he didn’t agree to get help. Brian’s future, and their friendship, hung in the balance of their next conversation.

That reality filled her with determination and courage. Acutely aware of Zander and his brothers watching Brian’s every move, she said, “Do you want to talk inside?”

“Yeah,” Brian grumbled.

She ushered him into the cottage, leaving the door open. When Brian reached for it, she stopped him. “Leave it open. I don’t feel safe with you.”

“Shauna, I’m not going to—”

She held up her hand, silencing him. “I’m not taking any chances.”

“What the hell,” he said under his breath, skulking into the living room. “You don’t trust me anymore, but you trust a stranger?” He paced like a caged tiger.

She wanted to tell him that Zander was less of a stranger than he was at this point, but she knew better than to say anything inflammatory. “This isn’t about him. This is about us, Brian. You and me.”

“Then why is he even here? Why are you staying at his house and not here with me?”

“Because I let my guard down, and I let you down. I should’ve been there in a bigger way when you were complaining about work and when you stopped going to the gym and stopped going to meetings—”

His nostrils flared. “Don’t start this again. Don’t get on my ass about shit. Can’t you just come back home, and we’ll figure this out?”

“No, I can’t. I love you, Brian, but I can’t watch you kill yourself. I almost lost you once, remember?” She saw it then, a slight lowering of his shoulders, the memory taking form behind his bloodshot eyes. “I don’t want to lose you. I can’t go through that again.”

“That’s not going to happen. I’m fine.”

His insistence was rough, but she heard a fissure in it and softened her tone. “We both know you’re not fine, and I know it’s the drugs speaking.”

“Then why are you giving me shit?” He continued pacing.

“Because I want to help you, but if you won’t let me, then I can’t be around you anymore.”

He stilled, breathing harder as he turned and met her gaze. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying this is the last time you’ll see me if you don’t get help.”

“Then help me,” he pleaded. “Move back in, and we’ll do it together, like before.”

Her throat thickened painfully as she shook her head. “I can’t. This isn’t like before. You’re using all the time. I can’t live like this. I’m terrified that you owe people money, and they’re going to come looking for you—”

“I don’t owe anyone money. I’m not fucking stupid. I’d never put you in danger like that!”

“That’s a relief, but I’m still in danger from you, Brian. You physically hurt me. Whether you meant to or not, it happened. We promised we’d never turn into our parents, and I’m trying to help you help yourself. I found a rehab center—”