Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

CORDELIA

“Way to go, ass-face,” I snap, looking at my childhood crush and brother’s best friend. “You really do know how to be a world-class jerk sometimes.”

“Calling her a bitch was uncalled for, Kevlar,” Rosemary snaps, joining me in on the chastising of her man.

Aries had told me about how Kevlar claimed a woman, and I thought I’d hate her, but I think I’ve actually got a woman crush on her. Not just because she was willing to take my side on this, but because she’s absolutely beautiful and fit.

Granted, I’m no slouch, but I’m not a fit girl. I’m more of a curvy girl with lots of ass and tits. I didn’t mind because I’ve learned to flaunt what you have a long time ago. This advice has gotten me into trouble one too many times.

“Rosemary, you gotta understand?—”

“Brother, you need to chill the fuck out and listen because you got shit twisted right now,” Mace snarls. I cock my head enough to look in his direction to see the pissed-off look he’s got going on.

“He’s right, Kevlar,” Viper remarks, reaching up to pinch the bridge of his nose. “You know, with Jade pregnant, I’ve got enough on my plate dealing with her craziness.”

“Jade’s not crazy, she’s just hormonal.” Rosemary snorts. “And as for enough on your plate, you know better than to think she’d be anything else.”

“See, you’re more than ready to get back to the smart-ass remarks.” Viper snorts, grinning at Rosemary, who shrugs in response.

Yeah, I totally like her. She’s definitely suited for Kevlar.

Viper clears his throat and looks at Kevlar once again. “Look, brother, he wants Rory here. She’s here. Something happened between the two of them right before he left.”

“I’m willing to bet she told him about the baby,” I whisper. A pang of hurt flickers through my chest at the thought. My best friend had been pregnant with my brother’s baby. And because of an evil sicko, the baby never had a chance. This very thought makes me hate Roger all the more than I already did.

“We all know about the baby she lost,” Viper remarks, tersely and a bit harshly, though I don’t miss the small about of concern in his eyes.

“But I’m betting my brother didn’t believe it. The only way he would is if she confirmed it was his,” I explain. “I know my brother well enough to know that without hearing it from the source, he won’t believe anything about her unless he hears from her.”

“She’s right,” Kevlar grunts, shooting a glare in my direction. “He’s going to be teetering on the edge, battling his emotions until he gets to the bottom of everything and comes to terms with all of this shit. Him being out there isn’t a good idea.”

“It’s why Wolf’s with him right now, and why you’re gonna get your ass to him and stay at his back until he gets back here,” Viper orders, crossing those beefy arms of his over his well-defined chest.

Okay, so it’s been way, way, way too long since I’ve gotten laid last, and I’m in a territory filled with loads of testosterone levels that are more than just a little bit off the charts. They’re way off the charts. I mean, when it comes to these men, it makes a woman question if it’s some unwritten rule that you have to be hotter than hot to become a member of this club.

“I’ll get my shit and head out,” Kevlar mutters and stalks away. His woman following right behind him, granted she looks back and gives me a wink.

Yeah, I like her.

“Cordy,” Viper calls out, getting my attention.

“Yes?”

“You might not like it, but you need to fill me in on everything you know about what Rory would have told your brother.”

Sighing, I plant my hands on my hips and give him the information he needs. I watch the way his face grows furious with each detail I give him. I shouldn’t be doing this. I shouldn’t be telling her secrets, but I can’t hold it any longer. The pain Rory carries around with her on a daily basis is killing my very soul itself. She and Aries need to find their way through all of this and back to each other. Because if they can’t, they’ve both lost each of their battles rather than overcome them.

By the time I finish giving Viper and the others still standing around me what I know, tears are freely streaming down my face. Different levels of anger sit in place on each of the men.

“No wonder she’s the way she is,” Mace grunts and shakes his head, letting out a heavy breath. “Aries is going to have his hands fuller than any of us or him expected.”

“That’s if he can overcome the bullshit filling his own damn head,” Vulture states.

“My big brother can and will. He still loves her, I know he does. It’s the only reason he’s acting the way he is around her,” I tell them all as I start to back away. “One thing you all need to understand is the love those two had for each other is something that was never truly broken. It’s still there. They just have to find their way back to each other.”

“And how do you expect them to do that?” Viper asks, cocking a brow.

“By letting Rory think she’s able to leave and letting my brother go after her. He needs to reclaim her as he needs to, and she needs to get over everything she’s feeling. Once they both do that, then everything else will be a breeze.”

At least, I hope so. As much as I want to stick around and see it through, I’ve got a job to get to, and I can’t lose it. I’ve already put it on hold long enough. Colorado is waiting for me to take the beautiful pictures that lie in wait with those gorgeous mountains.

It only sucks that I won’t be able to tell my brother bye before leaving. Nor will I be taking the time to say my goodbyes to my best friend. Maybe once the job is done and I get back here, the two of them will have everything sorted once and for all.