Page 115 of Bride By Initiation

He glances at my hand in my pocket, scolding, "Bro, I don't know what you've gotten yourself into, but this is crazy. You need to come clean with me. Who are these people, and what do they want?"

I ignore his statement and announce, "I'm going to change. I'll be back in a minute, and we can go to the gym."

"Why is your hand wrapped up?" he demands.

I close my eyes. I don't want to lie to Brax. We've never done that. Since the moment we met, we've always been honest and had each other's backs, but I don't know what I'm allowed to tell him.

"Don't keep me in suspense," he hurls.

Everyone's going to see it soon enough,I tell myself. I unwrap the plastic and hold my hand in front of his face.

"Holy shit! That must have fucking hurt."

I chuckle, admitting, "You should have seen Zara. She took it like a man. I took it like a pussy."

He arches his eyebrows. "Zara has one on her hand as well?"

Shut up,I tell myself, but answer, "No, it's on the back of her neck."

"Ouch!" Brax cringes.

I nod. "Yeah, but she was..." The memory of me lying on top of her while she barely complained, compared to my reaction, fills me. I grin.

"Dude, you're already soft on her, aren't you?" he taunts, pulling me out of my memory.

"I'm going to get changed. I'll be back out in a minute. Stay quiet."

"Aye, aye, whipped boy," he teases.

I groan, then go into the bedroom. I step into the closet and grab a T-shirt. I tug it over my head and then pull on a pair of socks and shoes.

I exit the closet and glance over at Zara. She's still sleeping, so I quietly leave the bedroom and meet Brax at the front door.

He points at my hand. "That thing looks gross."

"Oh shit. Hold on." I go into the bathroom and open the jar of salve that was magically left on my counter along with a roll of plastic wrap. I layer salve over the skull, wrap it, then return to my closet.

I pick out a pair of weight-lifting gloves and pull one over my hand, wincing as it slides over the brand. But it's a necessity. The last thing I want is for any of my uncles to see it. I know they will eventually, but I don't want to deal with it today.

Brax and I leave the apartment and get into his car. He pulls out into traffic and then glances over at me. "Luca know you married his daughter?"

My gut dives. "Nope."

Brax whistles. "He's gonna kill you, bro."

I grunt, but Brax is right. I put the seat back and close my eyes, not wanting to field any more questions. I order, "Wake me up when we get there."

It doesn't take long before Brax states, "Time to face the music."

"Keep your mouth shut," I warn.

He scoffs. "I'm not a rat."

"No shit."

"Then don't insinuate I am," he threatens, and slides out of the car.

I get out, and we hoof it into the gym. As I expect, all my uncles are there.

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