Page 3 of Blood and Redemption

If I stop drinking, then I’ll start to feel things again. Emotions that make a man in my position come off as weak.

Do I tell him that I’m not sure Icankeep going? Even if I’ve learned how to be strong and cold-hearted to keep things afloat, will he understand my inability to do so while alone?

Even if my relationship with my siblings is shaky, they kept me strong. With them gone, I have… nothing.

“Need a detox, or something.” His hand finds my arm, and I feel him tugging me across the pavement. As he pulls out his phone to send an order for someone to clean this up, he keeps my feet moving.

“I don’t want to go home,” I tell him again, tugging on his hold.

“Chill. I’m taking you somewhere else. Somewhere you can’t drink yourself to death.” Face pinching, he digs out something, his keys by the looks of it.

He’s always the type who enjoys having attention on him. Owning a handful of casinos is only a part of his flashy persona. He’s also a fan of owning sports cars. Ones that hit record-breaking speeds.

Not a good combination for my current state.

“If you throw up in my car, I will kill you,” he threatens all too seriously.

“I’ll hold you to it,” I groan, hoping the twisting in my gut stops.

If I keep thinking about that wedding invitation, I can’t promise an easy drive.

2

Aurora

This man stinks. Kind of like Ren when he comes home late after tending to his casinos. Like cigarette smoke and alcohol.

His clothes are wrinkled and dirty, too. The first two buttons are popped, and the buttons are missing entirely. My eyes linger on the golden skin beneath. Just the sliver of skin reveals a few faded lines of scars.

So close within my reach, I’m curious how he’d feel against my fingertips.

Rocco Parada.

I’ve heard his name spoken more in my home this week than my entire life. Ren has had plenty of complaints, especially last night when he dragged him into here. Lots of curses mixed in, too.

After dropping him off on our couch like a sack of potatoes, he abandoned him to get some rest as well.

My brother told me to stay away, not to bother our guest. However, I can’t help myself. I rarely get to see anyone. In fact, I haven’t seen another person since I was a kid.

Call me curious to see what kind of men my brother spends his time with. Now that I’ve followed the order through the night, I can say it’s a new day. Therefore, I feel like this should be okay.

No one is around to see what I’m doing, anyway.

Kneeling next to his head, I stare at him. He’s got bags beneath his eyes, the telltale signs of rough nights. His dark hair is messy, like he spends his time shoving his fingers through the strands. I look at his mouth and trace the downward curve glued to his lips even while he’s resting.

I’d hoped to find someone interesting. Someone who doesn’t make my nose shrivel up and my mouth curl. Instead, I think my brother has kidnapped a homeless guy. Sometimes, he likes to pretend he’s charitable. Secretly, I know just how greedy my brother is.

I don’t know why he brought this man to our home.

Heneverbrings people here.

If this guy is involved with his work, then he’d deal with him in the city. Not out here where it’s quiet.

Something tells me this man is going to disrupt all the silence and peace.

Counting the dark patches on his throat, I can’t help myself.

I’ve seen hickies before on Ren, but not up close like this. Only inches away, I can see that they look like little bruises.

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