46. Chapter Forty Five

Chapter Forty Five

" A hh!" I bellow, scaring the nurse half to death as she repositions my nose. I snuck out at dawn this morning to seek professional help, in fear my nose would heal crooked and I'd have to look at myself every day in the mirror knowing I was sucker punched by her . The fake sister I should hate even more now, instead of feeling semi-impressed.

I backed her into a corner, wanting her to plead me for her life. Wanting her to cry my name in fear and when that didn't work…Well, I'm not going to dwell on that. What was supposed to be a test of her defense, or an attempt to appease my curiosity, became something I couldn't pull back. And she punished me for it.

Whether I like it or not, Avery has changed. Not like the pathetic girl who flinched too hard and held sadness in her huge, blue eyes. She's braver now, and I have my own brothers to blame for it. She's learnt to thrive under pressure and I'll never be able to break her now.

"Okay, Master Hughes, it's straight again now. No strenuous exercise for at least two weeks and please be careful with who you anger in the future." I'd spun her a line about getting into a fight at a party. Hopping down from the medical bed, I pull my leather jacket on and catch a glimpse of the purple bruising beginning to line my nose and seep under my eyes in the mirror on the opposite wall. Turning to the silver haired nurse, whose wrinkling leather hands are deceivingly strong, I thank her and accept the painkillers she hands me.

Driving back to the mansion in Huxley's Bentley, I use the time alone to ponder what the fuck I'm doing with my life. I was on track, so focused on what mattered. My schooling, my degree, playing in basketball matches and keeping socializing to a minimum. I only fucked girls out of necessity, to rid enough testosterone to not let myself become distracted by it. Well look who's fucking distracted now.

I'm running behind schedule on my coursework, my gang is splintering and I'm sinking further into the fractured child I've tried so hard to leave behind. Foresight has always been something I pride myself in, but my options are quickly dissolving all around me. Avery isn't backing down. She isn't making any attempt to separate herself from us, and my men don't seem inclined to let her.

Pulling into the underground garage, I park next to the Rolls my father has left here. Usually, it would be paired with a driver on speed dial to escort Avery wherever she'd like to go. Assessing my nose in the rear-view mirror, I exit the car with a heavy exhale and make my way into the manor. An elevator separates the garage from the main lobby, tucked beneath the staircase for discretion. Striding into the kitchen, I find Axel making omelets with an eager Garrett sitting at the island with a fork in hand. The large, mounted clock shows an ungodly early hour, so I eye the topless chef with suspicion.

"Why are you awake so early?" My voice comes out all nasally, so I decide to keep talking to a minimum. Sitting beside Gare, Axel leans over the island to pass me his half-drunk coffee since we take ours the same way – milk and two sugars.

"Couldn't sleep, and this one's stomach growling didn't help matters." He points his spatula at Garrett, who flashes his best hazel puppy dog eyes at him. I roll my eyes. Typical that there should be twelve guest bedrooms and these two decide to cling to each other.

"Ooh, what smells so good?" Avery walks in looking as fresh as ever, completely unaffected by her sleepless night. Her blue eyes fall on me and she overacts a gasp, raising her hand to her mouth. "Oh, how insensitive! I didn't see you there Wyatt. Do you need me to describe the smell to you?"

Huxley bursts out laughing as he walks in behind her, guiding her over to the table with a light hand on her shoulder. I should groan, noticing the way everyone is looking at my nose. She probably ran through the halls with a banner, alerting the entire household to her mini victory. Her golden hair is slightly damp, dripping onto a fitted white t-shirt as she swans further into the kitchen in gray sweatpants. I force myself to stare into the mug I'm nursing. Dax also appears to help Axel serve up six plates of omelets as we all take our seats at the table.

"Anyone else need coffee?" Axel asks, hovering behind his chair.

"Tea for me but I'll make it," Avery hops up and they both return to the counter. Failing to listen to the conversation happening around me, the whispers and giggles from behind keep drawing my attention over my shoulder. Axel fiddles with a strand of her damp hair as she leans into his muscled frame, all the while making her tea. Growling, I turn my focus back to trying to eat my breakfast, having to chew slowly to ease the strain on my already-tender nose. By the time the pair have returned, I've finished and leave my empty plate on the table, needing to put space between me and her .

I spend most of the day in my father's office, cleaning up the mess left by the contractors who showed no interest in actually fixing anything. Dust and debris from the shattered window cover almost every surface. As I sweep up the remnants of their negligence, I can't help but feel the weight of frustration and disappointment settle over me. The workspace feels like a battleground, and I am the lone soldier tasked with restoring order. Story of my life really. Me in charge, making the decisions others don't want to and rely on me for.

Running a hand down my face, I jerk and hiss at the pain I cause myself in forgetting about the broken bone. My brain is fried, so I take a break. Finding a few of the guys playing the PlayStation in the living room, I stride around the huge sofa and place myself right in the center, between Dax and Hux. As much as I want to be alone, I know I need to put myself in the comfort of my boys. Otherwise, I might as well not even be here.

"Where's Avery?" I have to ask, ignoring their side glances. I'm not in the frame of mind to torment her right now. I don't feel angry. I feel empty.

"She's booked a last-minute appointment with her old dance tutor. There's something she wants to perfect for the showcase and doesn't think Nightingale is up to the task," Garrett answers without looking my way. On the screen, Axel's character is killed off by Dax's, so he tosses the controller into my lap to take over. He rises, stretching his arms high above his head. I notice then that Axel, and all of those lounging around, are kitted out in their basketball jerseys and shorts. My heart leaps.

We haven't played together in too long, considering we're supposed to keep up our daily practice sessions, even in the breaks. A physical release is exactly what I need. The video game is set up for another round, between myself and Garrett before I can say otherwise. One game won't hurt, I reckon, as we start to tap the controller keys frantically.

The elevator door pings further within the mansion, which I ignore. Avery must be escorting her tutor in from the garage. Suddenly, the chandelier above explodes like a firework, the crack of gunfire hindered by the shattering of glass. I dive onto the floor as the metal frame smashes into the coffee table, splintering my arms with tiny shards as I frantically try to protect my head. My eardrums produce a high-pitched ring as I scramble across the floor, glass cutting into my palms and feet as I somehow make it into the kitchen. Pushing myself upright, I grab for the widest and sharpest knife from the utensil drawer before returning to just inside the archway.

Peeking around the corner, Dax is still lying flat on the floor, using the sofa to hide him while Garrett has leapt to hide behind the piano. The ceiling from the hallway into the living room is punctured with bullet holes and the empty socket that held the chandelier is swinging back and forth eerily. Three figures dressed all in black stand in the living room, their stances confident. My heart stutters. Axel peeps around the far wall, catching my eyeline whilst remaining hidden from the intruders.

"Find Avery," I mouth, to which he nods and disappears. The moment stretches as I stand, unsure of what to do. I don't stand a chance at attacking; they have a multitude of guns strapped to their hips for fucks sake. Dax catches my attention, his body shaking as he holds his hands over his ears.

"Hand over the Hughes child," the biggest of the men states loudly. "No one else has to get hurt." The deep voice booms throughout the room. No one dares to move, frozen in place by fear. Garrett's wide eyes find mine as he vigorously shakes his head beneath the piano, but what choice do I have? All of my closest family are in this house, and Avery. After a few deep breaths, I step out into the living room with the knife clutched tightly at my side.

"I'm here," I sigh, resigned. "Just leave everyone else alone." My voice comes out more nasally than I'd have liked right now. Staring into the dead eyes peering out from under a ski mask, a flash of confusion passes through them as the lead thug begins to laugh. The two men flanking him join the condescending crescendo, pointing at me and nudging shoulders. Aware of the pistol pointing right at me, I stand perfectly still, my jaw clenched .

"Not you, obviously." He finally manages to compose himself enough to say. Keeping my features schooled, I fight against the panic gripping me. Obviously ? "Find her," he says to the guy on his left. Striding towards me with the gun pointed on my chest, he gestures to the knife with his chin and I drop it to the floor with a clang.

There's a look of betrayal in Dax's eyes, his face hard. If I could, I'd throw my arms out and scream, ‘ what the fuck do you expect me to do?! ' Am I supposed to fight a gun with a knife with the idea of saving Avery while I bleed out on the floor of a house I loathe? How is that the better choice, than being led back to the sofa with a barrel pushed against my nape?

Dax resigns to being found and pushes himself up next to me, shaking his afro out of the shards stuck in it. The other masked man drags Gare up by the back of his vest and tosses him our way.

"Is this all of them?" The larger of the two, who I've dubbed the leader, asks as they both circle the coffee table, glass crunching under their boots as they keep pistols trained on the three of us.

"There's another two somewhere," his blue-eyed friend answers, confessing he's done his homework. They knew we were here and they've picked their moment carefully. Where the fuck are Huxley's guards? Wait, where the fuck is Huxley? Both men are huge, bound in matching black cargos and tight, long-sleeved shirts showcasing their muscles. Their military style boots tie in with the tactical vests that hold multiple pockets bulging with more bullets.

The leader lifts one foot onto the frame of the table and rests the firearm on his thigh as he assesses me. His head cocks, a mocking tone to his voice. "You don't know, do you?" He questions, catching me off guard. Gare and Dax look over to me but I can't answer their curiosity, since I'm as much in the dark here as they are.

"Know what?" I ask back. His only answer is a chuckle. My eyebrows crease as I stare at him, trying to place his deadened eyes from somewhere but coming up empty. But then I shift my focus to his shape and size, wondering if he was the man on the surveillance camera. The one who was sifting through my father's papers and spoke of my mother's death as if he knew exactly what happened. He has the answers I need.

"Found this one trying to sneak in through the window," a gruff voice sounds as Axel is pushed along by a gun in his back. His hazel eyes find mine, an apologetic look painted within. I try to give him a small smile to tell him it's okay, but I don't know if I manage it. Shoving him down onto the sofa with us, the third masked intruder darts off again in search of Avery. My gut twists with worry, not for any reason other than I genuinely hope she is somewhere safe. In her hidden room, watching on, I hope. I can be the monster who keeps her up in the middle of the night, but not this. Not to be used for ransom and fuck knows what else in-between. I taunt her but even I have my boundaries.

Growing agitated, I try to probe the leader without much direction in mind. I just hope if I keep him talking, he might reveal his intentions. Accidentally spill a secret which could provide some clarity as to what the fuck is going on.

"You're doing this for the money, right? State your price. Whatever it is, I'll get it. Just leave us alone." Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Axel's shaky hand seeking out Garrett's. The leader notices it too, a sneer crinkling the edges of his eyes. Terror bleeds through me, the need to protect my family has never been more present. They're here because of me. I chose them to be my brothers. I can't have any more guilt on my hands.

"Money means nothing to my boss," he finally shakes his head and returns to his full height. His lackey eyes him with a type of warning, but he continues anyway. "Your dear mother stole something from him years ago. She didn't keep her promise, and the time has come that we repaid the favor."