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The hatred in his face is something of nightmares.
He’s straddling his father, his hands wrapped around the man’s throat. His face is red, and his eyes are bulging, tears dripping from them. Enzo’s hands and arms shake as he strangles his father.
“I hate you,” he cries, his voice choked. He lifts his father’s head, then slams it back onto the floor. “Hate you!”
His voice makes me move. I’m at his side in an instant. I wrap my arms around him and pull him off his father. He inhales a huge breath, but doesn’t move.
Enzo thrashes in my arms, screaming and clawing at me to get back to his father. I drag him away, hissing as his nails break my skin.
“Enzo,” I say, but he’s too far gone.
“I’m going to fucking kill you!” He screams the words with his whole body, and chills ripple over my body.
I fling him into the hallway and step in front of him when he scrambles forward. His eyes lift to mine and whatever he sees in my face makes him pause.
“Ian,” I say, and his eyes flash.
“My dad,” he rasps. “He—we were—”
“I need to get him out of here,” I say, and he nods. It doesn’t matter what they were doing, why his father was here. I just need to get them out of here. I glance around. “You have a car or something? I can’t take you both on my bike.” He shakes his head.
“I don’t have my license.” I sigh as I nod.
“Stay here,” I say.
Turning back toward the room, that same dread pools in my stomach when I see Ian lying motionless on the floor. The only reason I haven’t torn Enzo’s father apart yet is because Ian’s breathing is steady.
He’s alive.
And that’s the only thing keeping me from going on a killing spree.
I kneel beside him, ignoring Enzo’s father’s gurgling as he tries to find his breath again. I wince at the blood on Ian’s face, at the weird directions his nose is going, at the busted lip, the bruise already forming on his jaw.
“Hey, buddy,” I say gently.
I don’t know if it’s best to wake him up or not, or if I even can wake him up. I stroke his bloody hair away from his forehead, but he doesn’t stir. I don’t know if I can pick him up. I glance over my shoulder at Enzo, finding him chewing his thumb as he stares at us, his eyes flicking between Ian and his father.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I hesitate before calling Bash. This is what I have my Brother’s for—to help when my fucking kid almost gets himself killed.
“Yeah?” he answers gruffly, and I roll my eyes.
“I need your help.” That’s it. That’s all I need to say for him to round up the guys and head for me. “It’s Ian. I don’t have time to get into it. But I need you, Reid, and Ax.” I give him the address, and he promises they’ll be here in a few minutes.
After I hang up, I notice the missed call and text from Ian, and my stomach bottoms out.
I need you.
That’s all the text said.
This is the third time I’ve let my family down.
First Elaine.
Then Kennedy.
Now Ian.
When will I protect the people I love instead of getting to them after they’ve already been hurt?
