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“He what?”
“He touched her,” Holden says, backing away.
I turn and put my fist through the first wall I see. He touched her. He fucking put his hands on her.
“Briar was upset. She was by herself, she didn’t think she would be gone so long. That’s why I told you I was with her. I showed up and punched him,” Holden says.
“Thank you for looking out for her,” I say, trying to calm down. “Why does she think I’ll hate her?”
“Because he made her feel dirty. She thinks she’s damaged and dirty and that you won’t want her.”
I turn to Briar.
“Sweetheart,” I approach her slowly, “I am pissed but not at you. I don’t hate you. I could never hate you. This isn’t your fault. It’s mine.”
“You don’t hate me?” she whispers to me.
“No, I’m not and I will make sure he pays for that,” I tell her. I kiss her lightly and Remo takes her upstairs. I will check on her shortly. I’m pissed and right now I’m not doing her any good scaring her.
“Why is it your fault?” Holden asks.
“If I would have left her alone and never asked her out, never proposed, never loved her, she would be safe in her apartment with her brother and not in this situation,” I say.
“You can’t predict the future or go back in the past. You also can’t help who you fall in love with,” Holden replies.
“You are a philosopher,” I grin.
“That’s what I’m taking in school,” he says.
“You’re in school? Why didn’t you say something?” I’m surprised, he’s always at the gym.
“That’s not important. This is important. You all are my family and you don’t mess with family,” he says with a growl.
“Damn straight. But when we get home we’re all going to sit down and have a long family talk about what’s going on in our lives. No hiding,” I state.
“Ugh. Yes, Dad,” he laughs.
“I’m going to go upstairs and talk to Briar. Let Tristan and Thorn know I’ll be down in a minute.”
“I can stay with her as well. She’s comfortable around me and she needs support right now.”
“You’d miss out on all the trouble on the Strip to stay with her?” I ask him.
“Yeah. She’s family,” he shrugs.
I go upstairs and see Remo in the living room, holding Briar. I would get mad but now is not the time and Remo loves her like a sister. She’s still crying.
“Sweetheart,” I say, sitting on the couch with her. Remo moves back a little bit. Holden takes a seat on the couch.
“Don’t look at me, I’m dirty,” she says.
“I told you downstairs you weren’t.”
“So, you meant it when you said you don’t hate me?” She sniffs before looking at me.
“I don’t hate you. I love you with every breath I take,” I pull her toward me, wrapping my arms around you.
“I’m so sorry. I did try to get away,” she says.
