I told them the sordid story, from the letter to Bruno’s heart attack, how we got Brynne’s bag, and in the process, I almost got my head blown off by a stupid college bitch. Told them how Espada was pissed about his car getting torched and ended the tale with Dorian Adrienne.
“Busy night,” Prez muttered. “Why was Brynne at the sex club?”
Dammit, I should’ve known he’d key into that part.
“She has a kinky side.” I glanced at Espada. I could trust he wouldn’t tell anyone about Brynne and me.
“I guess like her mama.” Dad chuckled. “But this Dorian, why would he be after Brynne?”
“We need to find out more about him. I’ll have Grizz and Toby vet him.” Storm cleared his throat. “Tina never mentioned him, VP?”
The muscles in my body tensed. If Tina had told my dad about Dorian, he hadn’t breathed a word about it to me.
“No. I’ll question her in the morning.” Dammit, the shift in his tone made me squirm in my chair. “I think my old lady has been keeping a big secret from me.”
“Not trying to stir up problems. We just need to know what we’re up against,” Storm told him calmly.
“I know. Track, you guys lay low. Try to keep Brynne safe and don’t let her know anything about Tina. I’m going to bed.”
“I’ve got it covered here. Goodnight, old man.”
“Old man. I can still beat your ass, son.”
The line quieted for a few seconds, and then… “He’s gone, and you’re off the speaker. Talk to me,” Storm said as if he sensed there was more.
“I told you everything.”
Espada shook his head. The room had cleared out after I’d told Storm and my dad what had happened. I was glad it was just the two of us now.
“She was in a sex club, and you were there too? What a coincidence.”
“My job is to watch her, remember?”
“Brother, don’t bullshit me. Just tell me the fuckin’ truth. Is something going on with you and Brynne?”
“You mean more than gaining her trust and being her friend?”
“No man could resist a beautiful woman like her. I’ve seen pictures. I hear it in your voice when you talk about her.”
I sighed and slumped in my chair. “We’re step-siblings.”
“Yeah? So what?” Storm’s reply shocked me. “She had only been a name, someone we all heard about, but never knew personally. Except for you, brother. I’m only asking you directly so I can have your back when Tina and Raul flip the fuck out on you.”
“Wow, thanks for making me feel so much better.” I pinched the bridge of my nose.
Storm laughed. “My pleasure. So I take that is a yes, something is going on.”
“Yes.”
“How deep are you in?”
“I’m drowning in her.”
“That good? I’m happy for you,” Storm said sincerely. “You’ve been out there a long time. Feelings were bound to develop.”
“Yeah, but I’ll lose her when the truth comes out.” My chest burned as the enormity of it all registered in my heart. She gave herself to me, a pure, never been tainted gift, and I had been betraying her. Not completely. What I felt for her was real, but it probably wouldn’t matter.
“Maybe not. You were forced to do a job for your club and parents. Your hands were tied.”