Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Brian waved his hand. “I had it under control. Fucking Finn had to remind me who was boss.”
I crossed my arms. “He is your boss. And mine.”
“After our father died saving his life, you would think that would give me some leeway.”
I shook my head. “He paid off your debt, Brian. Thirty-five thousand dollars. You put him in a terrible situation.”
“And he beat me.”
I had to admit, he looked terrible. “Who wrapped your ribs?”
He sat down with another grimace. “Niall had me looked at. The doc wrapped me up and gave me some painkillers.” He rubbed his eyes. “And I had to listen to Niall’s fucking lecture on how I got off lightly and I should be grateful.” He huffed an angry breath. “I still have to fucking pay the debt off. Fuck. Thirty-five K to Finn is lunch. He could have let it go.” He looked at me. “He would if you asked him, Una.”
I shook my head. “No, he wouldn’t. And I’m not asking.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Jesus, you too. I thought at least you’d take my side on this.”
I had thought so too. I was furious with Finn for beating Brian. “I tried. I offered to pay him the money I had saved, but he refused.”
Brian looked uncomfortable. “About that…”
I frowned. “About what?”
He shut his eyes. “My debt was higher.”
My blood turned cold. “Higher?”
“Yes. I paid him some with what I won at the Maple. But he added more penalties and interest since I couldn’t pay it all. I made another payment of twenty.”
“Where did you get the twenty?” I asked, my voice shaking.
He didn’t look me in the eyes. “I hacked into your computer and got into your account. I sort of borrowed it.”
I stepped back, covering my mouth with my hand and stifling the gasp. “No!”
“I was gonna pay you back, Una. I was on a streak!”
I shook my head wildly, the tears in my eyes burning. “That was for my future.”
“I’ll pay you back.”
“How?”
“I’ll figure it out.”
I wiped under my eyes, unable to believe what he’d said. Finn’s words over the years came back to me. He hated how I coddled Brian. Always took his side. Defended him. Cared for him. “He’ll drain you dry,” he once informed me.
And he was right. My own brother had stolen from me. My entire life savings. And I had a feeling he didn’t really care.
“I want you out,” I said, straightening my shoulders.
“Oh, come on, Una. I’ll get your money. You can’t throw me out. Where will I go?”
“I don’t care. Not here. And you will pay me back.” I threw out the only threat I had. “Or I’ll tell Finn you stole from me.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“I would. Finn’s right. I’ve been your mother too long, Brian. It’s time for you to stand on your own two feet. You have a car. And thanks to Finn, a job. Go and act like an adult. Get your own place. Move in with one of the crew you like to hang with. I don’t care.”
“Right now? You’re kicking me out right now when I can barely walk?”
“You will leave in the morning.”
“You’re being a bitch, you know that, right?” he snarled. “Dad would be so ashamed of you.”
“No, Dad would be ashamed of you. He was a man of honor. He would understand why I have to do this.”
“Would he understand you’re taking Finn’s side over mine? Your brother? He always said family first.”
I refused to let him know how his words hurt and how torn I was feeling. “You reap what you sow, Brian.”
He glared and stepped closer, wrapping his hands around my arms. He squeezed, his fingers digging into my skin. His eyes were dark and furious, his mouth curled into a sneer. My brother was gone, and in his place was the cold soldier he enjoyed being.
“Brian Joseph Murphy!” I snapped. “You’re hurting me. Stop it now!”
He let go, and I stumbled back. Never once in my life had he hurt me physically. My dad didn’t believe in hitting women, and he’d drummed that into Brian’s head.
When had that changed?
I turned and headed to the door, my voice shaking. “You’re gone in the morning.”
He left before eight, the slamming of the door echoing behind him. He tore his room apart, leaving a mess behind him, acting like a petulant child. He had lots of names for me, cursing and constantly muttering between his groans. I was tense until he left, unsure if he would try to hurt me again. I rushed to the door and locked it behind him, engaging the dead bolt, then let out a shaky breath as I leaned my head on the wood.
I’d barely slept all night, upset and worried. More than once, I reached for my phone to call Finn, but I stopped myself. Brian was on his phone, hitting up his mates for a place to stay, no doubt calling me more names as he spoke.