Page 140 of Pretty Broken Wings

“Do you think I’m stupid?”

“No, but I do think you’re rash,” Gage snaps. “Did anyone see it?”

“No.”

“Tell me everything.”

So I do. I leave out the part about leaving town after. He’d try to stop me if he knew. He’s already going to have to stop Raven. I expect him to lecture me. Tell me where I slipped up. Where I could get caught. All the normal Gage things.

But he doesn’t. He just asks, “Why?”

“Why? Because he’s a piece of shit.” I frown, that classic anger back from just talking about it.

“There are pieces of shit all around you, and you let them live.”

I bite my lip, flipping a quesadilla. What is in the air? These two fuck, and suddenly it’s a call-Axel-out day?

I’m quiet. I don’t want to talk about it.

“Well, whatever your plans for Rich are… I want in.”

It takes a second to digest that, and I blink a few times before turning to him. Gage lookspissed. His lips are turned down, and his eyes are a mask of anger.

There’s a moment where we do nothing but look at each other. Then, I let out a short laugh. “Damn. Whatever’s in that pussy is magical.”

Gage snorts, grabbing the plate of quesadillas. “I think she’s gonna run.”

“I know she’s gonna.”

Gage stops, staring at the food. He has… darkness in his eyes, and I can’t help but be struck by how much he looks like me at this moment. And despite the fact that it should make me scared, all I feel is satisfaction.

Despite all our differences, we’re both still brothers, and we’ll both fight for what we want. And what we want is Raven.

CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE

Lunch is silent. Both men sit at the other end of the table, right next to each other. Both eat while watching me with unnerving intensity. I would have a hard time telling them apart, but I’ve been around them for long enough to recognize the slightly withdrawn look in Axel’s eyes. Despite that, they look like twin images of each other, and something has changed. I’m not surewhat, but something during their hushed conversation in the kitchen.

It sends a thrill through my body. I’m not sure if I should run or stay as still as fucking possible.

I don’t eat much, which Gage notices. He demands I have another serving. It goes down like dust.

Finally, when Gage thinks I’ve had enough, he wipes his mouth with a napkin, meeting my gaze behind his glasses. “I hear you’re thinking of running.”

Oh shit. I shoot an accusatory look at Axel. And that’s when I realize what the difference is. The animosity between them is lower. They’re sitting on the same side, and neither of them has fought the entire meal. They’ve both been focused on me.

That sends an unexpected mix of dread and anticipation through me.

Axel just shrugs his shoulders. “Whoops.”

I snap my gaze back to Gage. “It’s not running. I’ve done what we agreed I’d do.”

A look flashes across Gage’s face before he shutters it. “I want you to stay.”

I swallow, the declaration hanging heavy over the table.

“I, uh…” A rush of thoughts runs through my head. My plan to run to Alaska and open a bookstore. Max. The feelings I’ve started to have for Gage. This push and pull Axel and I have.

My fingertips get cold.