Page 54 of No Merciful Corruption

“Oh my God.” She whispers.

It’s Brent.

Pounding echoes throughout the house and Alejandro is the first one down the hall toward the front door. It’s a single, short corridor connecting the front of the house where the living and dining rooms are to the back where the kitchen is. Karina stays close behind me as we follow him to the front door where Brent has already forced his way through.

“Karina!” he yells from the living room. “I know you’re here!”

He looks manic. I’ve never seen him in such a state before. I’d accuse him of being inebriated or under the influence except I’ve never known Brent to be a heavy drinker. In fact, he he’s the kind of man who’s satisfied by a beer or two and nothing more.

His hair is long and sweeps over his forward like it hasn’t been combed in days. Dark crescents hang under his brown eyes, alluding to many sleepless nights. Wearing a crumpled suit and coat with a haphazardly tied scarf, he looks like he came here in a hurry.

“I’m not crazy.” He insists. “I saw him, I saw the man on the security camera. Who’s car is that outside?”

“Mine.”

Brent has cut through the living room and beelined straight for the stairs but stops short of the first few steps. He spins around as if just realizing we’re here.

“You…” he trips over his feet as he descends the stairs. He can’t close the distance between him and Alejandro fast enough. “I remember you. You’re that fucking degenerate’s brother.”

I completely forgot Diego beat the shit out of Brent the night of the ballet. From the look of his nose, it seems to have broken and never properly healed. Good.

“Did you bust down the door?” Karina whispers in disbelief. “What the Hell is wrong with you?”

He pulls his gaze away from Alejandro and when it lands on Karina, his eyes go wide and desperate. The vicious bite in his voice is replaced by madness and desperation and maybe even a hint of bitterness.

“I’m not crazy. You forget I still have access to the cameras around this house. I saw a man come in here!”

“Yes—Alejandro. My cousin’s boyfriend!” she argues. “You broke down the door for that?”

“You changed the locks!”

“Because you don’t live here anymore!”

Brent takes a step forward as if to approach her when Alejandro extends his hand. He catches Brent’s face with his palm and flings him backward with a minor flick of the wrist. Brent stumbles and crashes into the demilune table near the door, face plastered with shock.

“Who the Hell do you think you are…” he utters in disbelief. “Get the fuck out of my house!”

“Karina already said you aren’t welcome here.” Alejandro juts his chin in the direction of the front door. “Get out.”

Brent clenches his fists at his side and storms down the hall. I hold out an arm to keep Karina behind me but Brent is met by Alejandro who once more pushes him toward the exit.

“I’m not going to tell you again,” he says quietly.

Brent practically sneers at him. “She’s my wife.”

“And she’s about to be your widow if you attempt to go near her again. Out.”

He lets out a sardonic laugh and gives Alejandro a searing once over. “Oh, is that so? Let me guess. She’s screwing you too?”

“Brent!” Karina exclaims in horror.

Brent catches Alejandro off guard when he plants both feet on the floor and gives him a harsh push toward the staircase. “I’m not an idiot. I know everything that goes in this house.”

“Brent just go.” Karina pleas.

“Don’t worry, I’m going,” he says. “But I’ll be back later. Once your little bodyguard is gone and the flimsy locks on the front door won’t be enough to keep me out.”

He glances over Alejandro’s shoulder and looks directly at Karina when he smiles and says, “Not even the lock on our bedroom door. So don’t plan on having any visitors tonight. That is, if you can help yourself.”