Zack - M. Malone Page 0,3

we’ve inherited millions from our father, it shouldn’t even be an issue. But for a while I was still worried that he’d be drawn back to his old ways just for the rush.

Thinking of our wayward billionaire father reminds me of the reason Gabe is upstairs wounded in the first place. I push that thought away. I can’t even think about his part in all this or I’ll get pissed off all over again.

Josie grabs the easel and folds it closed gently. “I should go home and clean up. My mom’s expecting me to drop by later. I can’t let her see me like this.”

Her mother is a real piece of work. No doubt she’d shit a brick if she saw her daughter dressed like a mechanic and covered in paint. Her mother tolerates Gabe, even she can’t resist him, but she’s never bothered to hide her disgust for me.

“Make sure to give Geraldine my regards.”

Her mouth tilts up slightly. “I’ll do that. And Zack… thanks.” She ducks her head bashfully before scooping up the paint.

I watch her walk away, her pert little bottom twitching attractively even under the ugly coveralls she’s wearing. She doesn’t look back, probably forgetting that I’m here as soon as her back is turned. I’ve never fooled myself about my place in Josie’s life. In her world it’s all Gabe, all the time and I’ve never thought differently. It’s only recently that I’ve realized the toll I’ve paid along the way. It takes a little chunk out of me every time I have to dry her tears after he hurts her. But I can't stop. Because I love them both.

Everyone thinks mortality is about the sudden loss of the soul. We live our lives fearing the worst that we think can happen. Car accident. Gun shot. Heart attack. But very few people know the truth, that those aren’t the worst ways you can go. Although painful, at least a bullet to the heart is quick.

Watching Josie pine for someone who will never want her the way I do feels like dying slowly.

†

After Josie leaves, I pull out my phone and tap on the contact for one of my newfound brothers, Tank.

He answers right away. “Zack. I had a feeling you’d be calling today.”

“I would have called earlier but it took longer to get Gabe settled than I thought.”

“Is he still bitching about that little scratch on the side?”

I burst out laughing. Tank was a sniper for years and he’s still a pretty scary dude. I’ve no doubt he’s seen and survived way worse.

“I’ll definitely tell him you said that.”

Tank is quiet for a moment then says, “I’ll never forget the moment I realized he’d been stabbed. I lost about ten years off my life that day. That was a brave thing he did. Stupid but brave.”

Thinking of the guy responsible for my brother’s hospital stay sends a shaft of fear straight to my heart.

Blade.

We assumed he was connected to our father’s shady past but we had no idea what we were dealing with. Gabe broke into the warehouse Blade was staying in and had the terrible judgment to bring along a friend of his from the old days. A friend who stole something when Gabe wasn’t looking.

He had no idea what had happened until Sasha’s house was trashed and he got the message Blade left for him. A dagger through her picture. To protect her, Gabe confronted him and ended up learning firsthand how he earned his name.

Tank clears his throat sounding surprisingly emotional. “Anyway, I got in touch with the guy you told me about. He admitted to stealing the ring but I got it back. I gave it to Max. He said he’ll handle it. Hopefully dear old Dad is actually telling the truth for once.”

Well, that’s a relief. Hopefully Max will settle whatever business they have and convince Blade to go back home. The last thing we need is that scary bastard hanging around. Tank agrees and by the time we hang up, I breathe deeply for the first time since I saw Gabe in that hospital bed.

Finally. A little peace.

I go back upstairs, careful to be quiet as I pass Gabe’s door. At this point he should be sleeping so even though I feel like I should check on him, I don’t. Sasha’s taking care of him so I’m not needed there. That gives me a little pang behind the heart.

I really like her but it’s strange to think of someone