Page 49 of What Burns Between

My stomach knots, knowing I put her in this mood. That I crushed her for the greater good.

That I trampled my own heart in the process.

I shrug. "Don’t cry to me when you can't lift your arms above shoulder height tomorrow." I nod toward a freestanding fridge in the corner. "Get yourself some water."

"I'm fine.”Brat.

Setting the tools in my hand on the workbench, I walk to where she stands, breaths heaving that chest of hers. "You're not. And I'd like you to get me one, too." I crowd her, using my height to my advantage.

Her jaw clenches against my dominance, lips thinning before she spins on her heel with a huff. Rae makes it to the fridge, tucked behind the open door, when the warning rumble of an approaching truck echoes through the garage. Sure enough, the unmistakable silver grill slides into the driveway, kept at bay by the iron gate sealing our compound.What the fuck now?Rae stiffens, peeking around the fridge door as Connor slams the truck into park and then throws open the door.

"Get behind the racks," I growl, focus pinned on the kid.

Like fuck I'm about to look her way or lift a damn hand for him to see what and who I gesture toward.

"I can face him, Digger."

"You can, but you won't. Get." I take a step forward before she can protest and pray the girl follows instruction. "Didn't order any Uber Eats," I holler across the yard. "You got the wrong place."

"Fucking hilarious," Connor gripes. "Where is she?"

"Not with you." The catches on my boots clink with each firm stride across the wet concrete. I wave off the prospect on gate duty, standing with a rifle raised in his hands. "You think you can show up here and demand we hand her over? Sorry, kid, but this ain't your house, and I ain't your daddy."

"Got proof she's okay?" He lifts his chin.

I tilt my head.Odd question for a man who wants her dead."Safer than she would be with you."

He sighs, scrubbing a hand over his head. The guy still wears the same dark button-down as yesterday, knives strapped to his body. The coat's gone, and the pants have more wrinkles than when I saw him at the diner, but there's no doubt in my mind this kid has wrung himself dry overnight with worry.

"Why you here, Connor?” I reach the gate, a mere two feet from where he paces. "Really."

"Rae's confused," he murmurs. "She doesn't understand why I need her back. She won't listen; she won't see reason." His voice steels with each word, anger growing. "She won't fucking do as she's told." He grabs the bars with one hand and rattles the gate.

I fight the urge to turn and check where Rae is, just to see if he speaks the truth.Girl better be behind that damn racking."Why do you need her so bad?"

"She's safer with me." He grits his teeth, releasing the gate with a thrust. "I can convince the old man she's compliant. Loyal. The longer she’s out here, the more likely he’ll send Ronan after her.”

I shiver at the mention of the sociopathic killer’s name.

"One problem with that, kid." I lower my voice, aware there are delicate ears listening. “Even if you take your prize home, your daddy will want proof she won’t talk, and we both know what that means."

Connor stops moving, gaze lifting to mine.Oh, yeah. He knows.Probably involves his fucking knives, too.

"What's goin' on out here?" Tyke marches out of the clubhouse, open jacket swinging at his sides as he moves. "What the fuck you doin' here, Connor?” I catch a glimpse of his favorite Glock strapped to his ribs.

"Here to get my things, Tyke." The kid paces along the gate, face near pressed between the bars. "You going to make this easy on the both of us? Or play it stupid?"

My brother laughs, a rumble from deep in his chest. "Stupid, huh?" All humor slides from his features, gaze steel as he steps up to the gate and mutters, "Stupid is showin' up here thinkin’ you can tell me what to do."

Tension hangs so thick I’d be able to hear a fucking pin drop.

"You use her in your fucking games with my old man," Connor grits out, "and I'll gut you myself."

The air between them hangs charged, much the same as two dogs ready to fight. One false move and the fucking pair of them will snap into a frenzy, going for each other’s throat.

“The only person interested in usin’ her is you.” The statement sounds less truthful out loud than it did in my head. "Why was she there, Connor? Why drag the fuckin' girl into your lion's den if you care about her so much?"

"Don't matter," Tyke grumbles, flashing methelook out the side of his eye. "What matters is how this gets resolved." He lifts his chin, proving he has no fear of the kid or his knives. "What does your father want to do about her, huh?" Connor could slip one of those blades free and have it at Tyke's throat before any of us blink an eye.