“Kyra, those two would fight over who would be the first to die if it ever came to it.”
She gave me a small smirk but her slumped shoulders told a different story. So, instead, I merely pulled her into my arms. She slid her hands around my waist, locking them at my lower back while I ran my fingers through her hair. It had been a hell of a past couple of days for her and all I wanted was to provide her with any sort of relief.
Anything she would let me do for her, I would.
“That’s just crazy, Kyra,” I said. “It’s not your fault. I promise.”
I could feel my anger growing. The mere fact that my brothers had made this beautiful woman feel like she had something to be sorry for was fucking ridiculous. There was no reason for her to feel guilty. No reason for her to be saying sorry like she was. And yet, she was standing here, apologizing for something she thought she might be responsible for.
It made me sick.
We stood there for a while before I heard the front door open. I recognized the heavy footfalls of Chance and, not too far behind, the light and scurrying feet of Ethan. I’d had just about enough of this. If no one wanted to address the massive elephant in the room that was sparking all these fights, then I was gonna. It was time Kyra got some reprieve so she could rest and if that was all I could give her, then so be it.
“Come with me,” I said as I took her hand.
“Where’re we going?” she asked.
I lead her downstairs and into the living room.
All my brothers were in there, with Chance and Ethan still badgering each other. Ethan had groceries that he set at his feet and Owen was just now walking in with more. I shook my head while the two of them still delivered underhanded attacks and I could feel myself finally beginning to lose it.
“Would the two of you shut the fuck up?!”
I roared so loudly Kyra dropped my hand and I turned to her to apologize before I continued.
“What?!” Ethan asked.
“Kyra thinks she’s to blame for you and Chance fightin’,” I said.
“Oh, no,” Harper said. “Kyra, you’re not the reason they’re fighting.”
“Seriously, these two have been at it practically since Ethan was born,” Rowan said.
“I second that,” Owen said.
“Ethan, Chance,” I said, pointing at both of them. “You’re behavin’ like spoiled fuckin’ brats. Kyra’s father’s in the hospital and she’s got a lot weighin’ on her mind. The last thing we all need is for you two to try and make this about yourselves.”
“I didn’t do a damn thing like that,” Ethan said.
“Shut up,” Chance said.
“Fucking make me,” Ethan said.
“Enough!” I could feel myself trembling as I gripped Kyra’s hand tightly. She walked around behind me, trying to shield herself from everything as Ethan and Chance’s faces finally fell. They were finally realizing the toll it was taking on Kyra to watch them fight and Chance was the first to apologize.
As always.
“Kyra, I’m sorry. I promise you, we aren’t fightin’ because of you,” he said.
“Yeah, Tink,” Ethan said. “We never meant to make you feel this way. I’m sorry.”
“Nothing’s your fault,” Chance said.
“Nothing at all,” Ethan said.
I turned around and snaked my arm around Kyra, pulling her close to me before I snuck a kiss to the top of her head. I waited for her body to calm down, her breaths coming in short pants while she pressed into my body. My glasses were slipping down my face and I wanted to shove them back up onto my nose, but I wasn’t willing to let go of my grip on her until she was ready.
Then, when she took a step back, I threaded my arm around her and turned her toward my brothers.