Page 9 of The Convict Gets His Girl

Hunter snorted. "Violence never solved anything. Don't you remember Ma telling us that?"

Chase grinned, nerves changing to anticipation coursing through his veins as he widened his feet on the soft lawn. "Ma didn't go to prison. Violence solves plenty."

He only hoped it ended like some of his prison fights—with his opponent becoming a dear friend. He didn't want to lose his brother.

Hunter paused and frowned. "I didn't go to prison either, Chase."

Chase's stomach twisted again. Of course, his perfect oldest brother didn't go to prison. That was why Jewel should be with him instead of Chase. They had history, and Hunter was simply the best man among the two of them.

"I know," Chase said past the lump in his throat. "But you need to tell me what upset you all week."

Hunter scowled. "I'm not upset."

"Bullshit. Was it Jewel you were with Monday night?"

Hunter's hands fisted at his sides and his eyes flashed. "Why does everyone assume I'm getting back together with Jewel? She fucking ripped my heart out."

Chase winced, not looking forward to the confrontation that they both needed, even if Hunter didn't realize it yet. Chase made a come-hither motion with his hand, and Hunter stepped onto the grass to circle him.

"Is that why you're so pissy? Because everyone's reminding you of that heartbreak?"

"Not everyone," Hunter said. "At the moment, it's justyoupissing me off."

Chase chuckled mirthlessly, needing to get him into motion and past talking. It was time to come clean.

"It's not the first time, Brother. When Jewel didn't answer my call Monday night, I figured it was because she was with you and y'all are getting back together. Figured she wouldn't want anything to do with a convict like me. I guess I'll just keep jerking off to the memories. But tell me… is she as good of a lay now as she was back then?"

Hunter froze, and Chase swallowed hard. He hated talking like this, egging his brother on like he'd done in prison with all those who'd tried to bully their way around. It was a learned behavior, but it always got results there. Hopefully, it'd serve him well here too. He verbally and emotionally poked and prodded at the bear, waiting for the attack.

"What did you say?" Hunter asked, his tone low and dangerous. But Chase couldn't back down now. He had to get this all out in the open before it drove the wedge in his soul into a chasm that he couldn't fix.

Chase paused, frowning as the tone clicked in his brain. His internal files said Hunter was surprised, confirming his suspicions.

"You—didn't know? I thought she told you that Sunday after church at Christmas. You broke up because she was cheating on you."

Hunter blinked in surprise. "I—thought she was cheating on me with Kevin. But you? My brother?"

Chase shrugged uncomfortably but didn't look away. "If it helps, she was my first. Not sure why she came back for seconds and thirds, but man, the way she begged for more has been on repeat in my brain for years. That low moan she let out when she came still makes my spine tingle."

"Fuck," Hunter said, lunging at him. Chase shifted low, catching Hunter's stomach on his shoulder and thrusting up to knock him off balance.

The grass scratched and tore at his skin as he rolled, trying to escape the onslaught of Hunter's fists raining down on him. His legs burned with searing pain, but Chase refused to give up.

Fists flew, and Chase went into that soft space deep inside, turning off his brain and just fighting by instinct in this brutal dance of survival. Blood dripped from Chase's nose and lip, mixing with the dirt and sweat on his face, but he didn't care.

A sharp jolt of pain shot through his spine, but he pushed through it, unleashing a flurry of punches that caught Hunter off guard. With a roar of determination, Chase fought on, refusing to let this be his last stand. Victory loomed within reach, giving him a glimmer of hope that this fight would not be Chase's last.

"You slept with Jewel," Hunter's words echoed in his brain, pulling him into the present and reminding him he wasn't in prison anymore. Reminding him that he deserved this beating and more.

Chase eased up, groaning under Hunter's renewed vigor. "I know. Hit me harder, pussy," Chase taunted.

Hunter pinned him and demanded, "Just fucking apologize. This is shit, Chase."

"No! I won't apologize, because nothing I do can ever make this right," Chase screamed up at him, the pain in his chest adding to the pain in his body. "Fucking hit me harder!"

Hunter reared back, and Chase closed his eyes, welcoming the pain. He deserved it for betraying his brother, for making the stupid mistake that had sent him to prison and ruining not just his life, but possibly Jewel's too. Ruining the future they could've had together.

Tears threatened and burned, but the blow he expected never came. Hunter rolled away, and they both laid on their backs, panting and staring at the stars above.

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