“Sure, but how do you feel about that? The man you shared your bed with tried to kill you and your family. Leyla’s dad killed all his family and then himself. Leyla was fucked up for years. Years. We’re concerned about you.”
I stare at him. I saw the police report. I’m aware of everything that happened to his wife. She was a kid when her father committed a double homicide, and he turned the gun on himself. If it wasn’t for her dog, Leyla would be dead.
Maybe Darren Russell isn’t wrong. I’m a fucking dog that would catch a bullet because he’s too fucking loyal. I’ve done it plenty of times. That still doesn’t make me feel anything about what happened with Bennett. The wheel of emotions isn’t giving me an answer either. I bet if I pull it right now, it’ll say what I already know.
I’m fucking dead inside.
Emotionless.
Angry.
“Everyone is different,” I say, as if those three words might be the key to shut him up.
“I agree, but still, that’s daunting, heart-wrenching, and fucked up,” he insists. “I want to believe that you’re okay, but I can’t just let things go because what if I do and then…”
“Then what?” I want him to finish. Then I raise my voice, challenging him. “What are you afraid is going to happen?”
“I don’t fucking know.” His voice is as loud as mine. “But I don’t want to lose you. Carter died, Beacon almost died. I don’t want to go through that again. You’re a pain in the ass, but you’re my brother. We’re finally becoming a family.” He tosses his hands up in the air, and now his voice is so loud I bet anyone in The Lodge can hear him.
The door to my office opens. It’s Henry barging in and joining Pierce. Can I shoot them?
“We can hear your voice all the way to the lobby, and though I agree, none of us want to lose Vance. I’d appreciate it if you can keep your voice down.”
“Why are you here?”
He shows me his phone. “Apparently, we’re providing a new service in this hotel. Room service for our male guests.”
There’s a picture of me talking to Darren Russell on social media. The caption reads, Army Brother provides one-on-one services to our guests. Is it only for the male guests or should I be booking a room too?
I groan and shiver because ew. “You gotta be shitting me. That woman could be my mother.”
My brothers don’t miss the chance to laugh at me. Sadly, this is what we do. We make fun of each other. This time, I’m on the receiving end, and nothing I do scares them.
Henry sobers up and clears his throat. “Listen, I’m here to support you, but if you can tell me what these new services include and how much we’ll be charging so we can make a pamphlet, I’ll appreciate it.”
“What the fuck, Henry?”
“I know a good photographer who could take a few pictures of him. Abs sell a lot more, or so I’ve heard,” Pierce adds.
“I swear you two are dead.”
They look at each other and shake their heads. “No. We’re still alive,” Pierce says. “You, on the other hand…well, you’re part of the walking dead.”
“Living dead,” Henry corrects him.
Pierce shrugs one shoulder. “Does it matter?”
“Would you like to discuss what’s happening?” Henry turns his attention toward me. “I’m glad that you and the good doctor are enjoying our new bedding, but maybe you’d like to keep it low-key. Is that why you got him the presidential suite last week and paid for it?”
He wiggles his eyebrows. “You like to fuck with style.”
“That’s not what happened,” I say, flustered.
“Anna Tattle might be a big gossip, but she always publishes truths. Or so she says,” Henry insists.
“She got things out of context,” I argue. “She was misinformed.”
“Well, the walls in this building are thin. Everyone can hear what’s happening in this hotel. E-e-e-e-e.” Pierce makes bed-creaking noises.
“Seriously?” I glare at him.
“He’s right, stop. Those beds are new. They don’t make any noise while you’re fucking.”
“I swear if you two don’t leave right now, I’m going to kill you.”
“See, he can get angry and shit, but he can’t cry after the love of his life tried to kill us.”
“You need to stop assuming. I’m fine.”
“You know what’s the first clue to let us know that you’re not fine? That you keep repeating the word again and again. I wish you were at least fucking your feelings away with someone, but you don’t.”
I decide to walk away before I punch either one of them.
On my way out of The Lodge, I come face-to-face with him. This is all his fault.
“Uh-oh, who upset you?”
I glare at him.
“Oh, you already saw the social media post.” He smirks. “You have to admit. It’s kind of funny.”
“I need to get the fuck out of this town.” Forever, I don’t say.
“Well, I have a solution for you. Can you fly me to Portland?” he dares to ask for a favor after the fucking day I’m having.
What does he need now? A coffee maker, Egyptian cotton towels, or a mug for his coffee?
“No.”
“There’s an accident on the highway. I have to be at Portland Medical. They need me for a consultation. Hayes said you would fly me.”
“Fuck,” I mouth. “Fine, let’s go.”
“I need to go home to grab my things. It won’t take me long.” He winks at me. “You can always join me.”
This is probably going to go up on social media too. I have to get rid of him. What if I push him out of the helicopter on our way to Portland? Oops, he wasn’t wearing a seat belt.
Chapter Fourteen
Vance
The drive from the airport to the hospital isn’t as quiet as the flight. Darren doesn’t seem to be familiar with the word silence. Everything and anything is a topic of conversation. Perhaps I’m the problem. I prefer the peace and stillness of a quiet moment.
“Are you always like this?” he asks.
I don’t even glance at him when I reciprocate with a question of my own. “What is this?”
“I’ve been doing all the talking?”
“Seriously? I haven’t noticed.”
He chuckles. “I didn’t picture you as the sarcastic kind.”
“After living with my brothers for almost a year, I’ve learned a thing or two.”
“I really appreciate you,” he continues. “I should move at least one of my cars to Baker’s Creek.”
“Where are they?
“In San Francisco. I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but the parking garage in the house I live in doesn’t fit a car.”
“We could take out the shelves,” I suggest. “I doubt you’re going to need that.”
“Do you think I can find a garage where I can put all of them?”
Curious, I ask, “How many do you have?”