Page 12 of Graves

“Dominic.”

I can’t help but smile at that. “Dom.”

Something flickers across his face at that as he gives a short nod.

“Goodnight, Blake.”

Chapter Seven

DOMINIC

Ibroke a promise to my brother. Something that I’ve never done in my life. I promised him that I’d look after her, but I can’t. Since that night almost a month ago in front of her apartment, I knew I had to keep my distance.

I still watch over her from a safe distance, but not for as long as Zayden would insist upon, I’m sure. I make sure she gets to the bar safely and home safely, all the while she’s none the wiser.

I can’t be near her. She’s too consuming, toointoxicating. From the moment I laid eyes on Blake Carlson, I understood why Zayden was so obsessed, why he was so hell-bent on keeping her for himself. She’s practically magnetic, the soft rasp of her voice, the supple curves of her body, and those intriguing eyes, all wrapped up in a package that would bring the most disciplined man to his knees.

After the first night, I looked into her, and though there wasn’t much that came up, what I did find was less than pleasing. No doubt Zayden has done deeper research than I have, and I can only imagine what went through his mind when he saw those photos.

I did my best to keep my distance, to observe but not engage. And then that went to hell real fast when that piece of shit smacked her ass. I had someone look into him, and apparently he has neurological deficits from how long his brain was deprived of oxygen. The police are looking for what his friends described as a big, scary dude with tattoos. I almost laughed at his friend’s incompetence, but it was nice to know there wouldn’t be any heat coming down on me for my rash action. Zayden seems to be bringing enough heat for the both of us.

His lawyer called me and said that he got the hearing moved up to today. He also told me that Zayden has been in three fights since he’s been incarcerated. Which, of course, is not surprising, but it sure as hell is unhelpful to his plea of being the victim.

The smooth-talking lawyer I hired was able to get me a ten-minute conference with him before he had to go to court. He said that I need to talk some sense into him. Obviously, hedoesn’t realize my twin doesn’t have the capability for anything of the sort.

When the door buzzes open in the cold jail conference room, my stomach dips in anticipation. I haven’t seen Zayden since the first time I came here. Mainly because I haven’t wanted to see him since I kissed his sole obsession. He’s observant, too observant. What I did was despicable, no matter how much he doesn’t deserve her and how delusional he clearly is if he thinks he could ever really be with her. Either way, it doesn’t matter. He saw her first, he claimed her first, and I broke my brother’s trust.

Swallowing over the guilt I have building inside me, I school my face as Zayden comes strolling into the room with a nice, clean blue suit on. He sits down at the table as the guard stands in the corner.

Zayden’s eyes are on me instantly, narrowing in accusation.

“You haven’t come to visit.”

I give him a bored look as I tilt my head.

“Sorry, I’ve been running a business, several actually, just trying to keep things going since my partner got himself locked up.”

Zayden doesn’t drop his accusing look, though, his eyes tracking me like a hawk.

“Did you expect me to come every day so we could chitchat? Have some brotherly bonding?” I scoff dryly.

“You were supposed to be giving me updates on her,” he says as his jaw clenches.

“You didn’t specify that,” I say as I glance at my watch.

“Fuck you!” he snarls as the guard takes a warning step toward him. Zayden blows out a calming breath before looking back at me. “You knew I would want updates. Why haven’t you come?”

Choosing to sidestep his question, I redirect the conversation.

“I hear you’ve been causing trouble in there.”

“Only a little.” He smirks in a sinister way that would make any normal person’s skin crawl.

“Yeah, well, your little bit of trouble is going to cause you big problems when it comes to sentencing, you fucking idiot.”

He rolls his eyes at me and shakes his head.

“The lawyer and I have it all planned out. They were all self-defense. You know how jail can be. They tried to take advantage of me,” he says as his entire demeanor shifts and he allows his voice to shake and his eyes to fill with terror.

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