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I watch him lose every hint of aggression in an almost eerie display of mood switching. He lounges back against the bar, not a care in the world.
“I heard you in the house. Death in the family, huh? Old granny bit the dust?”
My teeth ache as I clench my jaw, and I stare off to the side, blinking rapidly.
Damn Leo. Damn him and this bullshit front.
At least I know how to get through it, even if it means using words sharpened to hurt.
“You sound like our father.”
Someone who didn’t know my brother may have thought he wasn’t affected.
But I see the tense muscle in his neck.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” he mutters.
Disgust. Pure and toxic, coursing through my veins at the idea that Leo wouldn’t care if he grew into that man.
“Guess I shouldn’t be surprised, with you working for Uncle Mike. Like father, like son. Should I watch what I say around you? Flinch if you move too fast? You going to show me how big a man you are with a fist to my face?” With each sentence my voice grows harder, and I stare deeper into eyes the same dark shade as mine.
“He doesn’t do that anymore,” Leo says, but his words lack conviction.
“Only because the coward knows he can’t win.” If Bill Lamont went for me like he used to, I’d break his arm. And maybe a few other bones, just to drive the point home.
I almost wish he would.
Leo closes his eyes, but I know he’s listening to me.
“I’m in town for Dash’s engagement party,” I announce, loud and proud.
This time Leo can’t hide his reaction. His whole body jerks, and his eyes flash open to glare at me.
“The fuck?”
“Yeah. I didn’t think you knew.”
And I wasn’t supposed to tell him.
But the difference between my baby brother and me is that I haven’t given up hope.
Maybe it’s naive, but under Leo’s asshole exterior I’m betting there’s a sliver of a good man to be saved. And I’m willing to carve my nails into his soft underbelly if it means I can dig that decent bit out to the surface.
Leo’s jaw clenches hard, and I watch as he silently commands his body to relax. But I have his undivided attention now.
“Our little prince is getting married. Or I guess I should saymylittle prince. Seeing as how I’m the only one he told. The only family member invited.”
Leo’s fingers clench around his glass, and I rejoice in the knowledge that I’m getting to him.
“Actually,” I continue, “he asked me to be his best man. Or best woman, I guess. Whatever you call it. On the happiest day of his life, I’m going to be standing beside him.” Leaning in, I drop my voice to a low, unforgiving note. “Where will you be?”
“What is this? You rubbing the shit in my face?” Leo waves for another shot and throws the alcohol back faster than the first.
“No.” I straighten on my stool.
“Sure seems like it. You get off on bragging? Want to list how many of my exes you fucked next?”
That earns a bark of laughter out of me. My brother scowls my way, and I hit him with a smirk. “Sure you wanna know?”
