From Friend to Fake Fiancé

Braden came to his feet, slowly, lethally. The leather chair creaked, anger rolled off Braden in waves.

“You did.”

Mac nodded and fully braced himself for whatever rage Braden threw his way.

In one swift move, Braden gripped Mac’s shirt and slammed him against the wall next to the window. “You made this call knowing I didn’t want any more death on our hands?” Braden demanded.

“I made the call because we didn’t know what was going on with you,” Mac gritted out. “I did it because Shane has been a menace since Dad was in charge and I was damn tired of him getting in our way. And he threatened Laney.”

The hold on Mac’s shirt eased. “He what?”

Mac stared into his brother’s eyes, so much like his own. “He sent an email threat to Laney. He tried to encrypt it, but she was able to trace it to him. He also tried to kidnap her.”

Braden’s eyes narrowed, the muscle in his jaw clenched. “What?”

“He tried to grab her off the street before he went to London to follow Ryker.”

“Damn it.” Braden’s hands fell away, but he didn’t move back. “Who the hell attempts to mess with my family and think their actions won’t be dealt with?”

Raking his fingers through his hair, he muttered another curse. “That bastard. I should’ve killed him myself.”

A gasp drew Mac’s attention. Braden whirled around and in the doorway stood a very pale, very shocked-looking Zara with her hand over her mouth. Her wide eyes were red-rimmed and puffy, a clear sign she’d been crying for a lengthy amount of time.

“Zara...” Braden started across the study.

“Who?” she whispered.

“You should be sleeping,” Braden said, ignoring her question.

When he went to reach for her, Zara held up a hand. “Who was killed?”

Braden threw Mac a look over his shoulder. Mac stepped forward. This was his mess, he’d take the blame.

“Shane.”

Zara’s eyes closed, she swayed on her feet and Braden quickly wrapped his arms around her waist and caught her.

“You promised no more.”

Mac heard the whispered plea and the guilt consumed him. “The circumstances were different and Braden didn’t make the call.”

She glanced around Braden and eyed Mac. “But you knew he didn’t want anymore...evil. Why did you do it?”

Mac wouldn’t feel sorry for making a judgment call. He may hate taking lives, but sometimes there was no other choice...when it meant protecting your own. Just another life lesson from the late Patrick O’Shea.

“I’m sorry about your baby, Zara.” He totally ignored her question to him, but he needed her to know he wasn’t a complete monster. He was genuinely sorry for the child who was lost. Such innocence taken away. Mac knew how much family meant to Braden, knew his brother wanted a large family of his own.

Her chin quivered, moisture gathered in her eyes as she nodded and leaned farther into Braden.

“We’ll talk later,” Braden stated, glancing to Mac. “When are you leaving?”

Mac shrugged. “Whenever. My jet is waiting. I need to be home by tomorrow to sort out the last-minute details before the auction.”

“Go on, then. Any word from Ryker or anything else business related comes directly to me.”

When Braden turned to go, Mac stepped forward. “It was inevitable, you know. Just because you want to take this family in a new direction, doesn’t mean you can. Too many outsiders won’t let you. They’re hiding, waiting to threaten us when we show a hint of weakness. We may want a different life, but change won’t be easy.”

Braden’s shoulders stiffened and he froze for the slightest moment before finally ushering Zara out of the room without a word.

Mac blew out a breath he hadn’t even realized he’d been holding. Braden was pissed, Zara was hurt and Jenna was...hell, he didn’t know what she was because he’d run out of there the second he realized his feelings had taken a turn in a direction he didn’t want to go.

So here he stood in the study of his childhood home, all alone. In the span of twelve hours he’d managed to anger those closest to him. Now he just needed to throw Ryker and Laney into the mix to round out his crappy day.

Mac pulled out his cell and called his pilot. Might as well get back to Miami and concentrate on work. It was the one area of his life that hadn’t fallen spectacularly apart...yet.