Page 93 of Storm Warning

Saving Remi.

And he had no idea how to approach his brother. Aim his gun and tie him up? Make a citizen’s arrest? Hawk had so much more he wanted to say and do, and the last thing he wanted was to be forced to kill his own brother.

God, why does it have to come down to this?

He raced through the trees and found the opening where Cole was trying to land. Hawk watched his brother set the bird down in a precarious spot. Cole was a skilled pilot. Admittedly, it surprised Hawk just how skilled he was. He didn’t know his brother as well as he thought. He’d missed some things. Cole didn’t wait for the rotors to slow as hehopped out of the bird and raced toward the trees in the direction of Cedar Trails Lodge.

God, help me stop him!

“Cole! Stop!” Hawk chased after him. He meant to stand between his brother and Remi.

He stepped out in front of Cole, who instantly lifted his weapon, aiming at Hawk. His chest squeezed tight. What was he doing standing here vulnerable? A target for his brother. Hawk lifted his hands. “Are you really going to shoot me?”

He’d shotathim before.

He lowered the gun and stomped forward. “I don’t want to, but I will if I have to, so get out of my way. You’re a traitor to your country.” The words seethed from Cole as he bumped past Hawk, hitting his shoulder.

Oh yeah? Cole was asking for a fight. Hawk had dreamed of the moment when he could beat some sense into his brother. He grabbed his shoulder to yank him around. And Cole responded. Instincts kicked in as he fought Cole.

Boiling anger rose in Hawk’s throat. “I’mthe traitor? I have no idea what you mean, man. What are you talking about? Explain it to me. You’re the assassin. You turned rogue. Why, Cole?”

“You’re wasting my time. What have you done with her?” Cole lifted his weapon as if he was going to finish Hawk. “If only Dad could see you now. He wassoproud of you, hisfavoriteson, but you’ve turned your back on all that’s good and right.”

Cole’s words were like a shot in the dark, except they didn’t miss their mark, cutting Hawk right in the heart. “You’ve got me mixed up with someone else.”

Facing Cole wasn’t going down like Hawk had imagined—that he would be able to reason with his brother. Nope. He was going for the throat.

“Let’s finish this once and for all.” Hawk fisted his hands.

“Fine by me.” Cole stomped forward and punched Hawk in the face.

Men suddenly became boys again. Brothers. Wrestling. Punching. Grunting.

Mom tried to pull them apart. Dad wanted to let them finish ... but apparently, they never had.

But they would today.

On the ground now, slowing through the wet earth, their wrestling days as brothers fresh on his mind, Hawk held Cole in a choke hold. Cole would pass out if he couldn’t break out of this. His brother tapped his leg, signaling he was giving up. “Are you sure you’re done? Because I could keep going.”

Slamming his fist into Hawk, he let him know it was now or never. Hawk released him and he rolled away. They both lay in the muck, gasping for breath, rain lashing them.

Cole scrambled to his feet, ready to pounce again. “Enough games, Hawk. What have you done with her?”

“Like I would tell you.”

“I’m taking her.” Cole readied his weapon. “Don’t stand in my way.”

“You’d shoot your own brother? What happened to you, Cole? You were a hero, and now you’re a gun for hire? How does that even happen?” Anger and shock fueling him, Hawk barely noticed the pain Cole had inflicted on him, but the look that Cole was giving Hawk left him confused. “I’ve got news for you. I’m standing in your way. In case you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m protecting her from you.”

Hawk braced against a strong gust of wind. Prepared for Cole’s reaction.

Still gasping for breath, Cole swiped the rain from his eyes. “Fromme? What are you talking about?”

A gunshot rang out. Hawk jolted at the sound. Grimacing, Cole grabbed his shoulder. Hawk yanked Cole with him as they dove behind a boulder for cover. Gunfire ricocheted against the rock. Leaning against the cold, wet stone, Cole’s face twisted as he looked at his shoulder, then pressed a hand against it.

“Keep your hand pressed there. Stop the bleeding.”

“I know how to do it!”

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