Bullets & Bonfires

“He didn’t… Did he hurt you? Anywhere else?” he asks, holding his hand out to help me into the shower.

“No.” I flip both thumbs up. “I went for the soft tissue like Sully taught me.” I try to force a smile, but it hurts too much.

He kisses me on the forehead. “Good girl.”

This is no sexy-time shower. It’s a please-wash-this-nightmare-off-me shower. When I’m clean from head to toe, I turn in Liam’s arms and press my face against his chest. Under my cheek, his skin is slick and warm. His heart beats strong and steady.

A harsh sob breaks free from my throat, maybe from my very soul, it hurts so much.

The pain, anger, fear, uncertainty, all of it spills down my cheeks.

Liam holds me tighter.

“Shhh, everything’s okay, Bree. You’re safe. You did so good.”

I know he’s right, but I can’t accept it right now. Instead, I hold on to him tighter, until the tears stop rolling down my cheeks.

When we’re finished, Liam gently pats me dry and slips a T-shirt over my head. His jaw clenches with every new bruise or mark he encounters, but he doesn’t say a word. He tucks me into bed and slides in next to me. Neither of us seem to be able to sleep though.

“I’m scared,” I whisper.

“You’re safe now,” he assures me. I wrap my fingers around his. “I’m sorry I didn’t make it there sooner. When I got the call that he’d been released, I hauled ass. That’s when the 911 call came in.” He pauses and faces me. “I thought I’d lose my mind if I didn’t get to you. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there.”

“It’s not your fault,” I rasp.

“Why were you at Vince’s?” he asks gently. “Were you uncomfortable here?”

“No. I forgot my phone charger and I didn’t want you to try to call me and be worried if you couldn’t reach me.” Hot tears pour down my cheeks. I’m surprised I have any tears left.

He runs his hand over my hair gently soothing me. “Shhh, okay. It’s okay.”

“I’m scared—”

“You don’t have to be scared anymore.”

“Not for me.” A little frustration enters my voice. He doesn’t see the bigger picture. “I don’t want this to ruin your career.”

He reaches out and snaps on the light. The expression on his face is all intensity and passion. “Bree, please hear me when I tell you I don’t give a fuck about my job or anything else. Your safety is the only thing I’m worried about.”

“You might regret that one day.”

“I’ll never be sorry for loving you.” He snaps the light off and pulls me into his arms. “You’re worth any risk, and I’ll protect you with my last breath.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

The next morning I call in to work and stay with Bree. She mostly sleeps and cries. I feed her soup, water, and pain meds.

On the second day, she seems better. I still call in to work.

On the third morning, someone’s fist against my front door wakes me way earlier than I planned on rolling out of bed.

Brianna sits up and stares at the bedroom door with wide eyes and I decide I’m going to punch whoever’s on the other side of the door.

I’ve been dreading this. So far, I’ve held off anyone coming to question her again. But that’s only going to fly for so long.

“Bree,” I say in my calmest voice. My gaze lands on the bruises around her neck and fuck, but I’m ready to explode. “It might be someone here to question you. I want you to stay here.”

Her frightened eyes meet mine. “Why?”

I’ve thought about this a lot in the last few days, even paid a hefty retainer to the best criminal defense attorney in the area. Just in case. “I have an attorney I want you to speak with before you answer any more questions.”

“Why? I didn’t do anything wrong.” Her lips settle into a grim line. At least her mood seems better today.

“Please. For me. Stay in here.”

She runs into the bathroom and locks the door.

When I’m sure she’s safe, I throw on a pair of sweats, pad out to the living room, and open the door.

Vince.

Fuck. He called yesterday. He’d gotten stranded at the airport in Hong Kong.

Despite looking like someone who spent the last forty-eight hours sleeping in an airport and on a plane, he shouts as soon as he sees me.

“What the fuck!?” he explodes, shoving his way into my apartment. “You didn’t say my house is a fucking crime scene. Where’s Bree?” he asks, stomping from room to room. “Where the hell is she? Is she okay?”

“Calm down.”

He rubs his hands over his face. “Don’t fucking tell me to calm down. Where’s my sister?”

“I’m fine, Vince,” Bree answers from the doorway to my bedroom.

Match, meet powder keg.

My best friend’s gaze goes from Bree—standing there in my shirt and nothing else—to me. “Are you fucking kidding me?” His voice drops to a deadly calm tone.

“Vince—”

His fists tighten at his sides. “Liam, so help me God if you offer up some lame excuse for fucking my sister, I’ll punch you in the crotch.” His angry glare swings back to Bree. “Get dressed and get in my car.”

She takes a few steps closer until she’s standing by my side. “No,” she answers in the strongest voice I’ve heard her use in days.

“Vince,” I snap, taking his attention off Bree. “She’s staying with me. She’s with me,” I repeat. Fuck, it feels good to say that out loud. To finally say it to my best friend. Next to me, Bree bumps against my arm and wraps her fingers around mine. “We’re together.” I feel like shouting it a hundred more times.

“The fuck you are,” Vince growls. “I asked you to look after her and instead you fuck her?”

“So help me, Vince, if you talk about us that way one more time, I’m tossing you out on your ass.” Bree squeezes my hand. “Watch your mouth,” I add.

“My love life is none of your business, Vince,” Bree says.

Vince isn’t used to backtalk from his baby sister. “The hell it’s not. After Chad, you’re out of your fucking mind if you think what you do isn’t my business.”

“Don’t,” I growl, stepping forward. “We’re not just messing around. I love her and we’re together. Deal with it.”

His icy glare melts a little when he turns to Bree. “What the fuck!?” His eyes widen when he finally notices the bruises covering her legs, arms and neck.

“Chad attacked me. At the house,” she answers softly.

He stomps over to us, and I push Bree behind me. “You were supposed to be looking out for her. You say you’re with my sister and you let this happen? That’s how you take care of her?” Venom drips from every word.

“Don’t you dare blame him,” Bree defends.

Vince doesn’t need to blame me. Guilt’s been wrapped around my neck since the moment I heard the 911 call. I did fuck-all to protect her and that stings more than any words or punches Vince might throw at me.

If Vince hadn’t lashed out at Liam, I’d almost feel bad for him. Too stunned to say anything else, he drops down onto the sofa and shakes his head.

He throws another glare at Liam before settling his gaze on me. We stare at each other. Him taking in my injuries. Me taking in how much older and more tired he seems.

I swear my big, strong, scary brother seems ready to break when he says,

“Come here. I’m sorry.”

He stands and beckons me closer.

Still mad at him for blaming Liam, I approach slowly. Vince embraces me carefully and I let out a muffled sob. This is the brother I remember. I may have tried to convince myself otherwise, but I’ve missed him so much these last few years.

“Tell me what happened, Brianna. Please.”

I sob harder and can’t get the words out.

“That little shit got out on bail and attacked her,” Liam explains for me.

“Where were you?” he asks, with less accusation than before, but I still don’t care for his tone.

“It’s not Liam’s fault,” I mumble against his shirt.

He makes a growly-grumbling sound that doesn’t suggest he’s convinced.

“Bree dealt with him,” Liam says with a note of pride in his voice. I’m not quite there yet. I’m still too relieved that I’m alive. I don’t think I’ll ever be proud I killed someone. But I am proud that I survived.

Vince’s hands lightly grip my shoulders and he pulls away. “Tell me everything.”

I swallow hard. It still hurts to talk and it really hurts to go over the events again. “I stopped at the house to get something. He broke in. Tried to choke the shit out of me.” I turn and take Liam’s hand. “I broke free finally and went for the shotgun.”

“Since when do you even know how to use a shotgun? I thought you were terrified of it.”

“Liam taught me how.”

His gaze darts to Liam. No wild interpretation skills are needed to recognize the accusation on his face.

“I’m fine,” I say, pulling away. “Or I will be.”

“Where’s Chad now?” Vince asks.

“Dead,” Liam answers.

A strangled cry rips out of my throat and Liam takes me in his arms.

“Jesus Christ,” my brother breathes out. “What kind of bullshit is that, Liam? He was out on bail and attacked her. They better not even think of charging her with anything.”

“They’re investigating. The State Troopers were called in. But it’s plain as day what went down.”

“Will they question her again?”

“I have it covered.”