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I managed to get myself to my feet, wrapping an arm around my ribs as I spit a glob of blood on the ground. There were streaks of blood all across my parents’ green grass. Swaying slightly, I made my way inside, using the walls to hold myself up once I’d made it through the door. My vision blurred as I lurched toward the fridge to grab some ice from the freezer.

“Here, let me help.” I jumped at the sound of her voice, sending a wave of nausea through me.

“Go the fuck away, Victoria.”

“Please, Joey, you’re hurt. Just let me help.”

I scoffed, easing myself over to grab some paper towels from the counter before digging into the freezer for the ice.

“Will you at least tell me what happened? Why did Leighton go after you like that?” She asked, moving to lean on the counter beside me.

I wrapped a handful of ice in the paper towels and then pressed them to my nose before looking at her. To anyone else, she would appear the picture of concern. Her brows were dipped in manufactured worry, and her wide eyes shone with unshed tears.

“You know exactly what set him off, Viper.” I scoffed before wincing at the pain it sent lancing through my head.

“Please, Joey. Just talk to me. Don’t shut me out like this.”

Jerking the ice away from my face, I glared at her. “Stop, Victoria. Just fucking stop. Stop trying to fix things for us, stop following me like a wounded animal. Stop trying to make it better. Youcan’tmake it better! Richard isdead, and it’s your fucking fault. None of this would have happened if not for you. He even tried to warn us. If what just happened with Leighton is any indication, you’ve already cost me the rest of my brothers. I’m not going to let you suck me backin just so you can put the rest of us six feet under. Maybe the kindest thing for all of us is to kill you before you get the fucking chance!” My hand slipped to my back, pulling the unloaded gun from my waistband before I pressed the muzzle against her forehead.

Victoria went so still I could barely tell she was still breathing. Her jaw tensed, and then determination filled her eyes. “If you can, then do it. But I don’t think you will, because I know thatmyJoey is still in there.”

Pain shot through my jaw, and my head rocked to the side; Victoria gasped in horror just as my father’s hands went under my arms to keep me upright. The gun that had been in my hand fell to the floor and skittered across the linoleum.

“Go get some air, little lady. I’ll handle myson.” My father ordered, anger and disappointment painting his features.

My father and I stared at each other as we listened to Victoria’s footsteps retreat. I barely caught Craig’s voice telling her to take a burner and then the ring of his phone before he answered.

“You hit me.” I said quietly.

“You held a gun to an innocent young woman’s head and threatened to kill her. A single punch is the least of what you deserve for that.” My father replied.

“She’s–”

“Rich used hisdyingbreath to tell that woman he loved her. What do you think he’d do if he found out you were treating the woman he loved this way over something she hadnocontrol over?” My father demanded. “You’re damned lucky your mother isn’t here to witness any of this. It would kill her to know what you’ve done. You need to get yourself straight and crawl on your knees and beg that girl’s forgiveness.”

“I’m not begging her forshit!” I hissed.

My father shook me hard one time. “This damned vendetta you’ve got is done. If I have to have you locked up so you can get yourself straight, I will. We tried giving you space to work this out on your own, but you’re letting your grief twist you into a man I don’t recognize. Right now, you’renotmy son.”

“I—” I started, but as soon as I opened my mouth, it was like my words wouldn’t come out. “I’m just trying to keep you all safe. Victoria—” I whimpered, tears burning my eyes as they fought to break free over my father’s words.

My father let out a heavy sigh and let his head hang between us as he continued to hold me under the arms. “You’re wrong, son. I don’t know why you refuse to see it, but you’re wrong. I know somewhere under all that anger you’re still you. I just don’t know how to help you dig your way back to us.”

I gently pulled free of my father’s hold as my lips turned down in a sad smile. “This is who I am without him, Pop.”

My father’s face crumpled in a way I hadn’t seen since Rich’s funeral, but before either of us could say anything else, the door slammed open so hard it bounced off the wall.

“We need to go, now!” Craig nearly shouted, panic written all over his face.

“What? Why? Did you assholes not get Leighton calmed down or something?” I frowned.

“No. Victoria is walking to the diner, I’ve been on video call with her the whole time. There’s a black van with tinted windows. It’s been behind her, slow enough to be suspicious.” He said in a rush, and my heart punched my ribs as he shoved the phone at me. Victoria’s face filled the screen, her expression filled with fear that she was barely masking. I could see her trying to control her breathing despite the image jolting and shaky as she walked.

“They’re following me…” She said in a low voice.

A scream ripped from her throat so sharp it sliced straight through my chest. Then the phone hit the ground with a crack, giving us a tilted, broken view of the sidewalk and a pair of scuffling feet. Victoria’s stance told us she was trying to defend herself, but more boots entered the picture.

“Quit fucking around Victoria. Whatever this ploy is, you can drop it now,” I snapped, refusing to believe this was anything other than a setup.