Page 208 of Push

I whipped a frantic look at Liam. “You better not have agreed to anything.”

My brother scoffed an indignant huff in response. “Of course I didn’t. Our innocent little buttercup isn’t ready for a black mark like that on his soul.”

“I’m no buttercup,” Toby grumbled.

“It’s a compliment.”

“It didn’t sound like much of a compliment.” Toby sat up and, with an annoyed tug, straightened his jacket to look presentable again. “No offense, bro, but hanging out with you sucks. I don’t know what’s worse—your outings or storytime in your brooding corner.”

“Give me a chance, sweetheart. I can up the ante. You haven’t spent a Christmas with me yet.”

“Get into the holiday spirit, do you?”

“Oh yes.” Liam’s grin was smug. “Eli complains that I’m even more overbearing and disagreeable around the holidays.”

“Ruin my kid’s first Christmas, and I’ll sic the Widowmaker onto you for real, mate.”

Liam’s brow rose. “Noted.”

I almost laughed at their silly banter, but a yawn escaped instead—I was exhausted. Toby noticed instantly. His eyes met mine with quiet concern, and even when I forced a smile, the worry didn’t leave his face.

“My girl’s had a big day. A big damnyear. We’re blowing this popsicle stand.” He saluted Liam. “Thanks for ruining my life with more facts I needed to know but really didn’t want to know.” He scooted off the lounge. “Until the next time we brood.”

Before I could follow him off the lounge, Liam’s hand snagged mine, and he tugged me closer. His blue eyes weren’t as icy as usual, but they were full of uncertainty before they dropped away.

“Gwen.” His voice barely rose above a whisper. “No matter how much money Ian wins here tonight, he can’t repay his debt. Do you understand?”

“With Morelli?” I whispered back.

“He’s on the list.” Liam’s hand squeezed tighter. “Now’s the time to speak up, little Gwen. I could—”

“No.”

“He won’t be spared.”

“Ian made his choices, Liam. He chose this path…wherever it leads. Please don’t get involved with these men.”

“What if…” His throat bobbed on a swallow. “I’m already one of the very bad men?” When his thumb soothed over my knuckles—achingly gentle—a fierce protectiveness surged in me.

It was the same feeling that had always locked the two of us together. We’d woken up too many mornings with nothing to eat, taken too many trips to school wondering if our mother would still be breathing by the time we got home, and spent too many nights cowered behind a barricaded door, hoping her rage wouldn’t find a way in. Had she ever wanted us? Loved us?

And he’d been trapped in that apartment first… On his own… The angelic little boy with golden hair who wore a permanent frown had been dragged into a grown-up world well before his time. If he were the devil, our mother made him that way.

I leaned over and pecked my brother’s cheek, and when I pulled back to see him scowling at me, I only smiled. “I would still love you even if you were the very worst of them all.”

Liam jerked his chin in a nod, but he refused to look at me. “You honor me.”He released my hand.

With Toby’s arm snug around my waist and his kiss warm on my temple, I walked through the casino, stealing one last look at the two people who had changed everything.

Toby’s half-brother had torn our family apart.

My brother, as broken as he was, had threaded us back together.

63

He Chose Looking Forward

Toby

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