Page 79 of The Broker

A yelp escaped Isaac’s mouth as a big arm wrapped itself around his neck and dragged his body backward into the darkness.

“No one’s going to save you now, little bro,” Declan growled. His venomous words slithering into his little brother’s ear.

Helpless and off balance, Isaac was dragged deeper into the shadows of the facility. He tried to struggle, but his brother had always outweighed him and outpowered him.

“I think it’s time that you and I made our little exit,” Declan whispered.

Panic set in as Jared’s voice continued to fade the further they got.

“Not so fast.”

They froze.

A splinter of hope cut through the panic as Isaac recognized the voice.

“Turn around slowly,” Matteo ordered. “Make one wrong move, and I’ll blow your head off.” His voice was cold and dark.

From behind them, they listened to a gun cock its chamber.

Isaac knew that Matteo had a scary side, but he had never been witness to it. If this was it, he never wanted to be on the receiving end of his wrath.

Declan’s grip tightened around his brother’s neck as he slowly turned them in the direction of the voice.

With his back pressed against his brother’s chest, Isaac felt his brother let out a growl.

They all stared at each other. Eyes locked together. Motionless. Daring the other to make a move.

Staring into the blackness of Matteo’s eyes, Isaac wondered whether this was the first time that he had ever held a gun. He seemed way too comfortable with his grip and stance for this to be his first time.

“So, you must be thepimp,” Declan snarled, holding Isaac firmly against his body as a shield. “Judging by that expensive suit you’re wearing, I’m guessing you’ve made a lot of money off my little brother’s tight ass.” The man let out a snort.

Matteo’s eyes narrowed as the grip on his gun tightened.

Isaac could see the whites of Matteo’s knuckles as he fought against the urge to pull the trigger and blow the asshole’s brains out. Matteo wasn’t holding an assault rifle like Jared or any of the other dead bodies they had passed in the hallway. Instead, he held a handgun, complete with silencer, and pointed right at his brother’s head.

“The money your brother makes is his own. What your brother and I share is a bond that you will never understand. One of family, loyalty, and love. You were his bigger brother. You were meant to stand by him, guide him, protect him. Instead, you used him; you abused him, then you abandoned him when he needed you the most.” Matteo’s eyes drifted over to Isaac’s and softened. “Isaac will always hold a special place in my heart and in my home. He is one of the most spirited and loving youngmen I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I thank God every day for putting Isaac in my path. I love you, kid.”

Isaac felt his eyes begin to water. He had always known that Matteo cared about him. Well, him and all of his brothers atLa Maison de M,but hearing him vocalize it and put his feelings into words, he loved the man even more.

“I love you, too, M,” Isaac whispered back in a shaky voice.

If he died this very moment, he would die a happy man. He had the love of Jared, who had traveled across two countries in order to rescue him. He had the love of Matteo, the surrogate father he always wished he had, and he had the love of all his brothers back at the house, who were no doubt worried as sin for his safety. He couldn’t ask for a more loving life.

Enough was enough. His bully of a brother was not going to take this life away from him.

Using all the power he could muster, Isaac stomped down hard on his brother’s right foot, causing his brother to release his grip around his neck.

Next, Isaac gave his brother a sharp right elbow to the face, enjoying the crushing sound his brother’s nose made right before blood exploded from it.

Declan stumbled backward, clutching his nose in pain.

A shot rang out.

Isaac spun around in time to see blood explode from his brother’s thigh, and the man fall to one knee in pain.

“Isaac, stand back!” Matteo shouted, rushing over to Isaac’s side, gun still pointed at Declan’s thigh.

Slowly, Matteo raised the gun, stopping once it was aligned with the side of Declan’s head. His grip tightened around the gun as his finger hovered over the trigger.

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