Page 41 of This Blood That Binds Us

Zach gave me a disapproving smirk. “Can you keep your attitude to a minimum, Your Highness?”

“Yes.” I gritted my teeth before forcing a big fake grin. That was my least favorite nickname.

Zach’s expression softened, and he let out a sigh. “All right. I’ll be quick.”

He took a look around before grabbing one of the towels, then speed-cleaned the rest of the blood from the floor and the sink. “There. I’ll see you guys later.”

He turned to leave but stopped before he rounded the corner. “Be good.”

I groaned. “I got it. I got it. Jesus, just go.”

Luke was already making a beeline for the stairs.

“Where are you going?” I followed close.

“I’m gonna lay down for a minute.” He peeked over his shoulder, forcing a smile. “Don’t worry about me, though. Nothing I can’t handle.”

Luke’s weight shifted with each step. His invisible burden rested on his shoulders. I guess it was the worst part of being the leader. He had to be the strongest person in the room.

We reached his room, and he slumped himself onto his pristine bed despite still being in his swim trunks. Everything in his room was in order. Not a pen out of place. Sheets pressed, pillows perfectly symmetrical.

Luke would have done great in the military. It’s all he ever talked about when we were kids. He wanted to save people. Fight for his country. All for the greater good. I scanned the empty shelves over his desk and contemplated how different life would have been if he had enlisted.

“You don’t have to stay.” Luke sat up and pulled his hands through his hair.

The mullet was a new style for him. Growing up, he’d sported a short military cut. It wasn’t until we left Brooklyn that he started to let it grow.

There was no way I was letting what had happened in the kitchen slide.

I plopped down next to him. “I know. But I figured I’d annoy you for at least forty-five minutes before I go back downstairs to stare at my text book for three more hours and get absolutelynothing done. Then I may play some games till my brain rots out of my skull and the sun comes up.”

Luke smiled. “Sounds like a wild night.”

“I like to live on the edge.”

My attention drifted to the hardwood floors. The silence between us grew, and footsteps passed by outside the closed door. Just normal people doing normal-people things.

I wished that could be us. I wanted to be like them, and it would just be me and my brothers going to college together.

“Just ask.” Luke watched me with a raised, hairy brow.

“What’s going on with you? I’ve never seen that happen before.”

I didn’t look at him. I kept my eyes on the small little lines of the wooden floor.

A pause expanded before he answered.

“Look, I know that probably looked weird, but it had nothing to do with me losing control. It’s nothing like that. I promise.”

“Is this about The Family?” I blurted. “Did they...do something to you?”

Luke sighed.

“Why won’t you just tell me? I don’t get it. Why do you have to keep this a secret still? Halfway across the country, and you still won’t talk about it.”

“Did it occur to you that maybe I just want to protect you?”

Luke’s sincere gaze made me sink into the bed like a stone in water.