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Always like that with her; no bullshit. That’s why I’m surprised by her crafty actions. And so fucking angry.
“I saw you at Marnie’s,” I tell her without preamble.
She takes a long breath. “How?”
“We followed you. Rami was worried.”
“I see. Well, the coughing is nothing. It gets worse in spring with the pollen allergy.” I can spot the evasive maneuver from a mile away.
“I’m not talking about the cough, although we will be telling Linda.” Meg winces at that, confirming her wife’s cluelessness regarding her health’s latest assessment.
“Is there any change with your lupus that we need to know about?” I ask her, looking for any sign of deception on her face and body.
She shakes her head. “I’ve changed doctors. Everything is under control.”For now.I can hear the unspoken words loud and clear.
I nod, and then let the anger come out. “Why?” The word rumbles like thunder inside my chest.
“Raphael.”
“Why didn’t you tell me he was alive? Why did you keep him from me?” I growl menacingly. I’d never hurt my mother. Ever. But seeing the knowing look on her face, I feel the betrayal burning my insides like acid.
She gasps. “Raphael, I… had my reasons.”
“The same reasons that pushed you to meet with him for the last three months without telling me?” My voice increases in volume the more I talk.
“I was going to tell you. All of you. I just needed time. With him.”
“Why?”
“To check he was okay.” Her lips slightly pucker.
I laugh bitterly. “Bull. Shit. Try again.”
“I wanted to spend some time with him.” She huffs. “And that’s the truth.”
That selfishness, I can understand. It’s one of my best traits. But her treachery… that stings like a motherfucker.
“I want to know everything, Meg. Everything,” I repeat, pronouncing every single syllable slowly. “From the fucking beginning. Starting with why he doesn’t remember.”
She sighs. “I’m sorry, Raphael.” I grind my teeth, uncaring of her words. “Your brothers need to know as well.”
I nod. “He’s mine, Meg. Mine.” I repeat myself again to make sure my statement sinks in, my voice as cold as ice. “And nobody is going to take Micheal from me ever again.”
Chapter 7
MICHAEL
The stuffed pig’s button shines under the bright light. It’s crimson red. No, it’s green, but something is smeared over it and the dirty fur. Blood.
My heart starts beating frantically as I hear the squeaking sound of a door opening. I’m paralyzed, squeezing the toy in one hand while the other… the other is curled around strong fingers. I’m suddenly lost in a sea of green deep eyes, giving me the courage I need.
But I hear myself yelling when I see the metal rod coming down again and again. I’m in a cold corner, alone. No pig. Nobody holding my hand. The sound of an electric shock makes me shiver in terror. And then his angry scream hits me and I jump…
I wake up, almost leaping into a sitting position on my bed. I have to use my hands to regain balance before falling off the edge. It takes a couple of seconds to realize I’m in my bedroom. It’s dark outside, but the bathroom door is ajar, and the light is on, allowing me to see a body next to me. I let out a shriek, still foggy with sleep and unsettled by the nightmare. Raph springs up and off the bed, naked as the day he was born, holding a knife in his right hand and shifting his head around to seemingly looking for danger.
“Raph?” My mind clears and then gets into the gutter quickly. My eyes can't stop ogling his perfect muscular body. Those dark nipples, the delineated lines of his abs and happy trail pointing to a soft but still big cock hanging between his strong, hairy legs, swinging erotically with every movement he makes. His balls are heavy and full, and damn those sturdy thighs are calling my drooling tongue. My gaze lifts to his hand and the weapon he’s gripping. Where the hell did he get a knife from?
After making sure there’s no peril hidden in the shadows, Raph relaxes. “Shit. Why the hell did you scream?”
