br /> “If you don’t want to talk about this, you don’t have to.”
He opened his eyes. “It’s okay. But first, why do you want to know?”
Wendy had already told Tal and Joe that I’d been spared because I was her son, and I didn’t want to confirm it. But I had no choice if I wanted Talon to answer my question. I quickly explained my conversation with Wendy.
“I’m overwhelmed with guilt, Tal,” I said. “To think that I was spared because I’m that psycho’s son. It should have been me.”
“Don’t say that,” Joe said.
“I can’t help it. I have to know. Is that how it happened, Tal? Because I remember a guy holding me and you somehow hitting him in the groin. He let me go, and you yelled at me to run.”
“Yes, that’s what I remember,” he said.
“So it was you. You saved me. Wendy is lying.”
“As much as I’d love to think it was all me,” Talon said, “the reality is that Simpson and Mathias could probably have easily handled two little boys. I was ten. I most likely didn’t do that much damage to his groin.”
An anvil settled in my gut. Talon had admitted it. He probably wasn’t the reason I’d gotten away.
“Don’t look so glum, Ry,” he said. “I’m glad you got away. I don’t hold any resentment toward you.”
“Maybe you should.”
“Look. I can’t change what happened, and if I could, do you think for a minute I’d have you go through that hell instead of me? Hell, no. If I’d had a choice between myself and either of you, I’d have chosen me.”
“Me too,” Joe said, sighing. “In a minute.”
I studied my two brothers. They looked so much alike. Even though all three of us resembled our father, Tal and Joe were so similar in appearance. Now we knew why. Would I have gone in their places if I’d had the choice?
The answer shot straight into my brain with no hesitation.
Yes.
I would have done anything to protect my brothers.
“Me too,” I agreed.
“That’s what brothers do,” Talon said.
And I realized it didn’t really matter whether Talon was the reason I got away or not. He’d tried to help me get away, and he’d told me to run.
He was still my hero—my true brother in all ways—and he always would be.
* * *
I was exhausted by the time I got to the hotel. I inserted the keycard and opened the door. Everything was dark. Ruby must have already gone to bed. As much as I would have loved a romp with her, I was also fatigued, so it was just as well she was already asleep. I wouldn’t wake her.
I poured myself half a glass of wine to unwind and sat down in the living area for a few minutes, reflecting on the conversation I’d had with my brothers. One thing was clear. We had to locate our father. That was the only way we’d get the answers we needed.
I sighed and downed the wine. Snuggling up to Ruby was the prescription I needed.
I set down the goblet and opened the door to the bedroom. It was dark. I undressed quickly and got into bed.
She wasn’t there.
Chapter Forty-One
Ruby