Page 41 of Hero: Claimed

“That’s not how I’d ever treat a friend,Hero.”

“I fucking told you never to call me that.” I’m making no sense. Why can’t I just stop? I put myself in front of bullets for Elise, but the thought of something happening to Brinley—the woman that I love—brings me to my knees, scared of losing her. Scared of becoming my dad. Scared of living the rest of my life knowing I wasn’t enough of a man to save her.Hero—what a joke.

“You’ve told me a lot of things. Funny how I don’t give a shit any longer.”

She—sheno longer gives a shit? Did I hear her correctly? I’ve got one hell of a comeback resting on the tip of my tongue when the door bursts open and Hannah of all people storms in. “Get away from my sister!” she yells.

“Get out, Hannah. This doesn’t have a thing to do with you.” I turn my whole body, placing myself between her and Brinley.

“She’s my sister. It has everything to do with me,” she yells. And that brings Blood into the mix.

He plows into my room, taking a spot next to Hannah. “Better not be talking to Hannah that way, brother.”

“She busted in on me and Brin,” I yell. “This has got nothing to do with you or Hannah. Get the hell out.”

“You okay, Brin?” He looks around me.

“Get the fuck out—both of you. Brothers don’t have shit to do with what happens in a man’s bedroom. Brin’s my old lady, your opinions don’t mean fuck all.”

“She’s Hannah’s sister,” he argues. “So sheismy business.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,brother. Last I checked, you’re too pussy to claim Hannah, which means she doesn’t sway interactions with your brothers. And you, Hannah—you’re a hot mama. Learn your place and don’t fucking forget it. We let your ass stay here because you got a hot face, big tits that bounce when you walk, and you can cook. I go to Duke about you stepping over lines with the brothers, you’ll be out on your ass.”

Blood lunges at me and I’m glad for it. Not because I’m big on fighting my brother, but because I’m so pissed off that I need to fight. He throws the first punch and I block it, bringing my right up, catching him in the ribs.

His breath rushes out with a grunt, but that doesn’t mean he’s hurt enough not to catch me with a gut-crusher of his own. I groan as spittle flies from my mouth. Nah, this bastard doesn’t get to come into my room and get a hit on me. We’re on.

I’ve been in bar brawls before, but tonight I’m not a drunken asshole. Tonight, I’m out for blood. And it appears he is, too. Hannah screams. Brinley screams. Both women step between us. Brin gets in my face, pushing me back at my shoulders.

“Go splash some water on your face. Cool down, okay?”

Yeah, okay. I only do it because she asks me to, but I stomp to the bathroom and slam the door shut, then I lean over the sink with my hands gripped to the porcelain basin and just breathe. In and out. In and out. I squeeze my eyes shut, then decide Brinley was right and turn on the cold water, letting it get icy before scooping handfuls up to splash on my face. The chill is startling and I take in a couple more long breaths before grabbing the towel off the rack to dry my face and in a much calmer mood, I walk back out to an almost empty room. Blood and Hannah are gone now. Brinley sits on the edge of the bed, waiting for me.

“Okay,” she says. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay before I leave.”

“I’m fine,” I grumble. “I’ll feel those punches for a while—”

“Good,” she says and I actually chuckle because I deserve that.

“Listen,” she says. “I don’t know what spooked you. And right now, I’m too angry and hurt to care. Shit happened last night that I needed to tell you about, but you never came home for me to tell.”

“What shit?” I ask, concerned and giving some of myself away in the process.

She shakes her head. “Doesn’t matter. That’s my business now. Yesterday it might have been yours, but it stopped being yours when you decided you didn’t care enough to even send me a ‘I’m not coming home tonight’ text.”

“Brin.”

“I’m going home now. You go back out and enjoy the party. I’m sure there are plenty of pieces out there who would give their left hand to make you feel better and I really don’t want to see you tonight. Probably not ever again. But don’t worry. It won’t be long before I’m out of Thornbriar, then you’ll be rid of my ugly ass for good.”

“You’re not ug—”

“Stop,” she orders. “I told you before. I know who I am.” Then she leaves me standing in my room feeling like an asshole. I should go after her. I should, but I don’t. I wait to give her enough time to leave, then make my way back out to the party.

Brinley wasn’t wrong; the pieces descend on me like vultures. “Hey, Hero, you’re looking down,” Destini says. I shoot her the ‘I’m not interested’ look. It doesn’t work. She climbs uninvited onto my lap.

“What part ofI have an old ladydo you not understand?” I ask her.

“The fat chick? She got in your face, then you took her to your room. When she left she looked upset. I figured you finally came to your senses and dumped her massive ass.”

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