One Chance (Hogan Brothers 1)

Hearing the rumors Levi had told him made a sick sort of sense with the way she was treated at home. The idea to confront her father, at the very least, about it lingered in his mind. His only fear was the trouble it would cause for his girl.

He decided to send her a quick text before leaving for work for the day.

Nox: Good morning beautiful. Have a wonderful day, call me when you get up.

Slipping his phone into his pocket, he walked out to his car and was backed out of the drive and on the road in record time. He had appointments lined up all day, so he was hopeful to be kept busy until it was time to close shop.

Traffic was heavy for only six in the morning as he made his way downtown. Hitting every red light on the way made it feel even longer of a drive.

When he managed to get to the shop, he was shocked to see Levi’s Charger parked out front already. His brother wasn’t much for being early for anything, especially work.

Parking, he made his way around back where he was sure the younger man would be. Unlocking the entrance gate for where parts get delivered, he was shocked to see Levi slumped over alongside the auto parts office door. His face a mix of black and blue, and his shirt was ripped at the collar.

“Shit, Levi.” He rushed over to his brother. Shaking his shoulder, Levi swung as he was startled to consciousness. “What the hell!”

“Oh, Nox. Sorry.” His voice was muffled by the fat lip he was sporting.

“What the hell happened?” Nox asked, gingerly helping his brother to his feet. Steadying him with a shoulder under his arm as he unlocked the door allowing them into the building.

“Some dick jumped me,” he mumbled.

Nox wasn’t buying it.

Levi had been off for a while now, and he was worried. He always had a bruise from something somewhere on his body, and every time he or Loch would ask about it, he’d shrug it off as nothing.

Nox wouldn’t back off this time. He couldn’t. Something was seriously wrong with the man, and he was determined to find out.

Stumbling into his office, he dropped his brother on the small couch with a groan as he landed. Going to the mini fridge in the corner, he grabbed a bottle of water. Tossing it to him, he went for the Tylenol he kept in the top drawer of his desk. Shaking three out, he handed them to Levi as he walked up to him.

Waiting as the man downed the medication, he crossed his arms leaning against his desk. “What is going on with you, Levi?”

His brother eyed him with the one he could open, assessing Nox like he was the one that kept coming to work bruised. “It’s fine, Nox. Leave it alone.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” He exploded, arms thrown wide as he took a step towards his brother. “If I didn’t know you so damn well, I’d think you were in some kind of trouble, but I know you’re not that stupid. That Pop didn’t raise you to be such an idiot. So I’ll ask again, what’s going on?”

Pain had flashed in the other man’s eyes before he looked away. “I’m just not ready to tell, okay?”

He could hear it. Something was going on, and for whatever reason, it made him too nervous to share with Nox.

“Fine. But Levi,” he waited for him to look into his eyes, “I’m here. Just because we’re blood doesn’t mean we ain’t friends. I won’t judge.”

Levi nodded in relief. “Thanks, bro.”

“Not me you gotta worry about. It’s Ma when she finds out.” He laughed, walking out of the room as Levi cringed thinking about the reign of terror their pint-sized mother would bestow upon him the first time she saw him all bruised up.

Dismissing his brother’s beating, Lennox got to work on the engine of one of the sweetest sixty-six Chevelles he’d ever laid eyes on. The owner had been restoring it for years, and Nox finally got to put the engine together and, hopefully, hear the beautiful rumble by the end of the week.

Going to his work station, he put some classic rock on the radio to listen to as he began reading the original engine manual. Double checking parts as he went, not wanting to have to take anything apart once he’d started.

As his mind was quickly consumed with the task at hand, and the music pumped through his blood, he never felt the phone vibrate in his pocket.

Sophia sat in her father’s empty office, waiting for the man to show up. She felt like he was avoiding her because when she’d called to him as he was walking out the door, he’d stopped for a second before continuing on his way.

His pause baffled her.

Everything was confusing her.

There were more bodyguards around the house than when she went to bed the night before. Had the threat gotten worse? Was it no longer just about her? And what about the things her mother had said when Lennox had dropped her off after their date. Was it true?