Page 111 of Liar

Without waiting to be greeted, my brother forces his way inside, fighting free from the three Lobos restraining him. Everyone looks frantic, and ass-whooped. One Lobo has a bloody lip, another a bruise forming on his cheek.

I scream as Diego launches himself at Hayden, throwing punches as he goes and managing to land one on Hayden’s cheek.

Hayden reacts lightning fast, throwing Diego into the door, pinning his arms behind him, then pressing his forearm against Diego’s windpipe until my brother turns blue in the face.

“I’ll allow you the one.”

“I’m going to kill you.”

This is insanity. “Stop it right now.”

Neither men listen but what began as a physical fight has now turned into a glaring match.

“Don’t hurt him. Please,” I beg on my brother’s behalf.

Hayden relaxes his forearm, allowing Diego to catch his breath. Except on his next deep inhalation, Diego goes rigid then completely, madly ballistic. “It reeks of motherfucking sex in here.” He kicks high, catching my husband in the side.

And suddenly, I’m afraid for the only man aside from Hayden that I love.

I wedge myself between them, but with the poorest of timing, as another kick hits me in the side, sending me flying sideways.

“Shit, Luciana,” Diego shouts.

“You’re a dead man,” I hear my husband snarl.

I lie on the floor, clutching my side. Too shocked that I’m even in this position.

Fists sound.

“Jesus Christ. Calm down,” Diego grunts. “That was for you, not her.”

Silence, then footsteps. And then I’m hauled upright. “How bad is it?” Hayden touches me lightly on the side, I suppose feeling for broken ribs.

“Just winded. He’s done worse.”

The hand against me tightens.

“La mierda, Luciana. I’m sorry. I didn’t expect you to interru—”

“Should I call the doctor?” Hayden’s wrapped an arm around my shoulder and has folded me into his side. He’s warm against me, and protective.

I lean into him, getting very used to his touch.

I feel Diego silently watching us.

“Get an ice bag from the freezer. And a beer.”

Incredibly, Diego listens without protest and I hear him behind us, doing Hayden’s bidding.

I’m scooped up and then set on the couch. Instead of moving away from me, he sits right beside me, leaving the open chair for my brother.

“¡Ay!Ahora, entiendo,” Diego mutters, handing him the ice bag and a beer.“¿Neta?”Despite being nearly ten in the morning, he pops open a bottle and drinks deeply as well.

“What is unreal is both of you.” I shake my head in exasperation. “I feel happy you’re drinking at this early hour instead of trying to kill each other.”

“Never saw this coming.” I glance from my brother to Hayden, who this statement is intended for. My husband, as usual, gives nothing away. Whatever the subtext is, they seem to be in a now silent battle over something.

At least they’ve stopped punching one another.