‘You’re going with Lenny’s girl.’
I sigh. ‘Who told you?’
His mouth twists. ‘Would you believe, one of your dancers?’
‘Good old Nikki,’ I say.
‘Do you know I didn’t believe it? You’re going out with Lenny’s girl.’
‘Stop fucking calling her Lenny’s girl. She’s not his girl. She’s mine.’
My brother stands and paces the floor. He seems barely able to keep his cool.
He turns suddenly to me. ‘I never expected this from you. From a hothead like Dom, maybe. But you! You’re too smart to pull a stunt like this. For God’s sake, Shane. What are you thinking?’
‘It’s done now,’ I say quietly.
‘No, it’s not. Walk away and I’ll work something out with him.’
‘No,’ I say firmly. I have never said no to my brother. My respect, loyalty and love for him is so great I would truly lay down my life for him.
He frowns. ‘Is she worth it?’
‘Yes.’
He stares at me with disbelief ‘Do you even realize what this means? You take his woman and you are declaring war. He’s not going to ask you to put your hands up for a bare-knuckle fight. He’s going to hire someone to knock you off when you least expect it.’
‘I’m prepared to die for her,’ I say seriously.
His eyes flash angrily. ‘You’re prepared to die for her?’ he rages. ‘What the hell, Shane? You’re a fucking kid. You haven’t even lived yet and you’re prepared to die for her? No woman is worth that.’
‘Would you die for Lily?’ I ask quietly.
He starts and then he closes his eyes in defeat. ‘How long have you known her?’
‘A few days.’
‘Right,’ he says sarcastically.
‘I know what I want, Jake.’
He sighs tiredly. ‘All right, Shane. Leave it with me. I’ll sort it out somehow.’
‘I don’t want you or Dom to get involved.’
He stares at me in surprise.
‘This is my shit and I’ll sort it out.’
I see a flash of temper in his eyes. ‘Now you’re really behaving like a kid. You can’t handle Lenny on your own, Shane. He’s a fucking snake. He’ll clap you on the back and sincerely congratulate you for winning his girl and then bash your head in with a hammer two days later.’
‘I have a plan.’
His eyes betray his disbelief that I could actually have a workable plan. I guess I’ll be his snot-nosed kid brother forever.
‘What’s the plan?’ he asks slowly.
‘I’ve already said. I’m not involving you or Dom in this.’