I

denly go tense, her face turning even paler

," I said. Without looking at her, I pushe

not at me, but at Genesis as

didn't sit

e her gaze away from him and walked over

I asked. She flinched, then slow

was unm

ck, it had been different. She had stared out the window, taking in the vie

ook he

tst

descending the stairs, a

oom." That was all I needed to say. Th

was still watching us, his gaze f

hat brother of yours,

y-annoyingly so-but I held it anyway and beelined toward the

d in fron

, but I liked that

be hospitable just because he w

ou doing he

t me like a child warned to stay away from strangers-excep

-" he

ok my

ll me by my first name, so wipe my fucking n

e, even my fans. I wasn't a big fan of anyone because there was always something l

s g

t cou

htly toward his not-

o something that was meant to be

moothly, his voice calm, practiced. "I just cam

oser to me, her fingers clutching t

aw t

r home unannounced,"

her again. And I saw it, that look. Something dark flickered in h

ust wanted to check in on Genesis. By n

d, raising a hand

. His head snapped to me, and just like that, the pretense was

use without an invitation, my permission or my wife

uire a

aid nothing. Then, his

ing on? You don't w

st

ward, but she tugged at my coat. I looke

y sister doesn't have a p

ake my eye

to come?" I as

iet. Then

es told an

inside m

voice a lethal whisper. "Leave. Or the next t

rned on my heel and strode toward

led he

," I said without breaking stride,

inst me until we stepped inside.

that, she move

ned s

t the large door like a child expec

umbled in

way, shedding my coat as I wen

to break

and before I even re

e receiver. "I'll be there.

here, or how I slipped thro

uld hear was the

odthirs

nts waitin

ame they

ht Bl

bell

ched f

eeting

p crack

n, someone els

nother body st

wasn't

nted

eded

't stop until the rag