Page 40 of Pack Rivals: Part Two
“We both came to get you. We can put our differences aside when it counts,” Axel says, although the look on his face, like he just swallowed a live scorpion, doesn’t suggest he finds the idea very palatable.
I shake my head again.
“Bea, my brother’s always been shitty with words. He’s always shoving his size 12 feet in his dumbass mouth but …”
I gape at them. Angel’s words trail off.
“Brother?” I whisper.
Courtney takes an involuntary step backwards.
I blink against the sunshine.
Brothers?
Holy shit.
“You’re brothers?”
The two men look at each other and then back at me. They nod in unison and the expression is so alike it’s almost a reflection.
How had I not seen it before?
Their eyes, their builds, the timbre of their voices, the cut of their faces. Shit even their scents are alike.
“You … you never told me you were brothers?”
“We don’t usually have to,” Angel says, stiffening. “Most people know.”
“But … but … you hate each other? How could you hate your brother?”
Angel glances to the floor and Axel shifts uncomfortably on his feet.
“I don’t hate him,” he mumbles.
Angel snorts.
“Not that much anyway,” he adds sinisterly.
I take a step away from them.
This makes their stupid rivalry one million times worse. The way they’d fought each other, out here in front of the beach house. Hitting and pummeling each other. Drawing blood, skinning their knuckles. How could they do that to one another?
“Your poor mother,” I say, and both their gazes drop uncomfortably to their sand-filled shoes.
I don’t have any siblings. But I love Courtney like a sister – fierce, funny Courtney, brow pulled down in a scowl, gripping the gun. I could never dream of hurting her.
“Like I already said,” I say, “I don’t want to be a part of this.” I grip Courtney’s arm. “I could never be with someone and watch while they tear their loved one apart.” It makes my stomach twist just talking about it.
“You don’t understand,” Angel says, through gritted teeth. “You don’t understand what he did. Not all families are the same.”
“WhatIdid?” Axel says, twisting towards his brother.
“I don’t care what you did to him or he did to you.” I fling my hands up in the air. “Do you know what Karl did tome? Do you?” They shake their heads. “He left me for my best friend. He left me on my wedding day. At the altar. All made up in my big fat stupid dress. For everyone to see.” Tears stream down my cheeks. I can see it. All those faces staring at me with pity as I stood there alone waiting for a groom who would never come. “And what am I doing now? Am I out there plotting his demise? Have I dedicated my whole life to revenge?”
“You should do,” Courtney mumbles and I give her a look.
“No, I shouldn’t.” I turn back to the two brothers. “I don’t care what you did to each other. Because, you know what? When someone hurts you, you have two choices in life. To move on and be happy. To make something of your life. Or to simmer in your own hatred until it boils you alive. Until you’re bitter and twisted.” I inhale deeply. “Until it causes you to hurt the people you claim to care about.”
