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“His life?” Logan narrows his eyes. “Has he put you in danger before?”
Well, crap. To lie or not to lie. I think I might try to lie, but then I meet Las’s fierce Daddy’s eyes. Shit, that is powerful.
“In the past, when he didn’t pay his debts, they dug into his family. I came home a few times to someone standing on my doorstep.” My eyes bug out when Lucas’s hands transform. His nails elongate into long claws.
“Lucas,” Logan snarls, moving to him quickly. The sight surprised me, but I’m not scared. “Calm.” He grabs Lucas’s head and pulls it to his. “She’s here with us. We won’t let her get hurt, but you don’t want to scare her.” The moment is tense, but it is the first time Logan shows so much care for his brother.
“Fuck,” Lucas moans. “Sorry, Slugger.” His hands return to normal, yet he doesn’t move away from Logan. The moment is heavy with emotion.
I feel Las’s hand on my leg, and I glance at him, watching his brothers with awe. I was correct in my assumption, considering his reaction.
“We will protect her together,” Logan says.
Lucas pulls back, nodding. “Sorry, Breeane,” he repeats.
“There’s no need to be sorry.” I reach across the counter to grab his hand, hoping to show him I’m not afraid. “I was excited to see your lion. Can I see all of him sometime?”
“Of course,” he sighs. “I want you to finish the story, though.”
I sit back and cross my arms. “They scared me,” I continue. “The first one was actually nice. That time, it was only a thousand dollars. He waited while I transferred the money.”
“Nice?” Las grumbles.
“That means the other one was not,” Logan assumes.
“He was a big guy, but I didn’t see him until I was on the porch. Usually, after the first time, I would search the area from my car before I got out. My brother owed him five grand.” I shiver just thinking about it. “That night is a blur. I was terrified and angry. The light was so dim also. He asked to be paid, or else he would kill my brother. I paid him. My brother has been a weakness,” I confess.
“It’s not a weakness to love him,” Logan says softly.
“I think my love damaged him more.” I take a drink to soothe my dry throat. “If I hadn’t enabled him for so long, he could have gotten help by now.”
“No,” Las snaps. “This is not your fault.”
“Logically, I know that. It’s hard to tell my heart that.” My phone rings again, and we all stare at it. “My brother bets on everything.” The ringing stops.
“I assume you told him never to give out your address again?” Lucas asks.
“Of course,” I sigh. “That ended up being our biggest fight. That was the night I decided that I was done. I asked him to get help, but he refused. I threatened him. I told him I wouldn’t help him anymore. I got a therapist to help me understand what he was going through and how I could keep my promise never to give him money again.”
“And did you?” Las asks.
“I did. I haven’t helped him since. I usually don’t answer the phone when he calls. I added more locks on my door and drove by my house every time I got home to make sure someone wasn’t waiting for me. It didn’t happen again, so I thought he did what I asked.” I run my fingers through my hair. “The calls have not stopped.”
“You have answered, though,” Logan prods.
“Yes. The first morning I was here, he called. It went as I expected. He was in trouble. He lost a bet. Same shit,” I pause. How much should I reveal? “He threatened my friend,” I confess.
“What did he say?” Las asks, frowning.
“He said he would talk with her to find out where I was.” They look at me in confusion. “When I decided to move here, I didn’t tell them. I packed up my house and moved my life here, and they don’t know where. They don’t even know I am not in the same city. They assume that I just found another place.”
“You didn’t tell anyone that you knew?” Las leans forward, his elbows on his knees.
“No. My mom went to my work; that’s how she found out. I was glad I didn’t tell them where I was going. The only ones that know are my friend and her family.”
“She wouldn’t tell anyone?” Logan asks.
“Never. She knows everything. After Caleb’s phone call, I told her he threatened her; she was enraged.”
