Page 90 of No Apologies
“Your brothers know about our deal.”
Colt was having trouble breathing and his ribs weren’t to blame, “Brothers? Plural? So… Cash?”
Lincoln nodded and Colt felt dizzy. He’d pretty much accepted that Remy knew the situation. Despite what he’d thought for years, his older brother did care and he’d been paying attention. He’d been there after the failed fight and he’d been part of Lincoln’s power play at Fine Lines. Remy was aware Colt and Lincoln had business.
But Cash… Cash was never supposed to know. Never supposed to find out.
He blew out a strangled breath, “How?”
“Come on C.” Lincoln gave him a skeptical look, “I know you were mostly unconscious but they didn’t knock all your brains out of that pretty head of yours. Do you really think there was any way out of this where your twin didn’t figure out what you’ve been doin’?”
“He knew about the fights but he didn’t know why.”
“Well he does now and he’s pissed.”
“He hasn’t said a word to me.”
Lincoln snorted, “Of course not. Yet. He’s too worried about you to be angry with you right now. I’m the bad guy in this little story.”
“Cash doesn’t think you’re a bad guy.”
“That’s a pretty little lie. Was that for my benefit?” Lincoln’s lips curled into a sneer, “Don’t bother, Colt. It’s not exactly new territory for me. I’m always the bad guy.”
It was clear he wanted Colt to think he was unaffected but he wasn’t buying it. Lincoln could be a hard ass. He could be cold and ruthless. But when it came to the family, nobody looked after the other boys like he did. He wasn’t just their leader because he was the oldest. Hell, technically Ford was a few minutes older than his twin. Lincoln was the leader because he put them all first and did whatever it took to keep them together.
“I’ll set him straight.”
Lincoln rolled his eyes.
“I mean it. I’ll set him straight. Him and Remy both and anyone else that wants to chime in with an opinion. I’ll tell them it was my decision. I’m a big boy. If they want to be mad at someone they can be mad at me.”
“Nobody gets mad at the person forced to make a deal with the devil, Colt. That’s not how it works.”
“You’re not the devil.” He gave Lincoln a sharp look when his cousin only shrugged indifferently, “I grew up with the devil, Link. You’re not him.”
“Hmm… yeah. Dear old Uncle Deck did a number on you boys didn’t he? It’s a wonder really that any of you survived let alone grew up to be good, decent men.”
Colt raised his eyebrows, surprise showing on his face before he could think to camouflage it. Had that been a compliment? From Lincoln? Surely not.
“Don’t look at me like that.” His cousin smirked.
“I mean, I know I hit my head pretty hard but…”
“Shut it. You tell anyone I’m secretly impressed by you little shits and I’ll deny it.” Lincoln ran a hand through hair and then smiled, “I am though, just for the record. Impressed. You three stick together like… like…”
“Family?”
The smile disappeared and Lincoln’s eyes narrowed, “Don’t be an asshole. We’re all family. It’s just nice seeing you three together again. That’s all.”
“Cash and I always have each other’s backs. That’s nothing new.”
“Ya know, you keep treating your big bro like an outsider and I’m gonna knock some sense into you.”
He frowned at the reprimand, “Link…”
“No. Listen up. Remy is here for you. He came back for you and he stayed for you.”
His temper flared despite himself. He wasn’t doing this. He wasn’t having this fight and yet. He was. He was yelling before he’d ever even realized he opened his mouth to speak. Years of anger flaring up at the first opportunity.
