More of You (Confessions of the Heart 1)

The asshole sat back on the couch, leveling Jace a stare. “Just having a little conversation with your brothers.”

Anger pulsed.

The cocksucker didn’t even know Joseph wasn’t their brother. And there he was, sitting on that couch like he owned the shithole.

With the way he was dressed, Jace was pretty sure he thought he owned the world.

“I don’t think either of them need to hear a thing you have to say.” The words left Jace’s mouth like gravel. Hard and pitted. Full of hate.

“I think they are very interested in everything I have to say.” He cast his wicked eyes over them. “Aren’t you?”

Ian looked to the ground and Joseph fucking nodded.

What the hell?

“Well, it doesn’t matter if they want to hear what you have to say or not. I’m telling you they don’t.” Jace pushed open the door. “I think it’s time you leave.”

The guy had the audacity to laugh, pushing to his feet, his head angled as he crossed the space, coming toward Jace. “Aren’t you the big man?”

He tipped his head farther, like he was assessing Jace, adding up his worth. “Maybe you should be the one I’m talking to. I like someone who’s loyal. A fighter.”

Fear and fury vibrated all the way to Jace’s bones.

“Stay away from them.” Jace’s teeth ground together so hard he could hear his jaw clicking in his ears.

This guy would probably destroy him in a fight, but Jace didn’t care. He’d gladly go down in a blaze if it protected Ian and Joseph from the seedy shit he was so clearly wrapped up in.

The guy grinned. “I’ll see you around.” He reached up and straightened Jace’s collar, pulling hard as he brought them nose to nose. “Jace.”

He released Jace and ambled out like nothing had been said. Jace slammed the door shut, glaring at Ian and Joseph, who were still sitting on the ground. “What the fuck do you two think you’re doing?”

Ian blinked, hugging his knees to his chest. “He just wanted to talk to us.”

“About what?” The words were an accusation.

Joseph pushed to his feet, lifted his chin. “About a business opportunity.”

Rage blistered across Jace’s skin, this horror that took him hostage as he thought of Ian and Joseph getting caught up in that world.

Jace flew across the room, getting in Joseph’s face. “Stay away from that guy. Do you hear me? He is nothing but trouble.”

“We were only listening to what he had to say,” Ian said quietly.

Jace’s attention darted toward him, his words hard. “Well, don’t. They’re lies. There’s nothing that he can say to you that will amount to anything but you becoming exactly what the world thinks you are.”

“Maybe you’re just jealous he asked us instead of you.” Defiance radiated from Joseph, and Jace swung his gaze back on his cousin.

“I’m warning you, Joseph. Stay away from that guy.”

A snarl curled Joseph’s face, taunting Jace with his own words. “Whatever it takes to survive, remember? We look out for ourselves. Do whatever we have to do to make it.”

Jace looked between the two of them. “Not when it comes to us. We look out for each other. Take care of each other. And I’m telling you that you aren’t sniffing up anything but a dead end with that guy.”

Most likely a body bag.

Joseph shook his head. “I think the problem is that you’re so wrapped up in that stupid girl, trying to impress her, that you’ve forgotten who you are.”

Ian nodded, his anger over the time Jace had been spending with Faith flooding out of him in a streak of jealousy.

But Joseph’s jealousy was different.

Jace knew it. Felt it in his gut.

Before he even realized what he was doing, Jace pushed Joseph against the wall. His back slammed against the paneling and the trailer shook on its rickety foundation. “Leave Faith out of this.”

Hating the instant reaction, the instant aggression, Jace took a step back, trying to get himself together. His voice trembled when he pointed at Joseph, praying he’d get it, that he’d understand. “I’m warning you. Stay away from him. I’m telling you for your own good.”

He looked at Ian. “Both of you. You hear me?”

Ian nodded.

“Whatever you say, Boss Man,” Joseph said, nothing but venom on his tongue.

Jace stumbled, his hand still on the doorknob as he peered into the darkened trailer. A moan echoed back from somewhere within.

Dread curled through his insides, and he held his breath as he fumbled to flick on the light switch.

Hazy light filtered into the space, and the dread he was feeling turned to horror when he saw his brother in a ball on the floor in the corner.

He rushed that way and dropped to his knees. His hands were shaking like crazy when he gently rolled his brother over.

A shocked gasp rocked from Jace’s lungs.

Blood covered Ian’s face. It dripped from his nose, and his upper lip was busted open. One of his eyes was swollen closed, purple and black bruises already beginning to rise to the surface.