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Like I gave him worth or something, and now they want to ruin him as much as they can.

I never should’ve believed my uncle. Men like him will say whatever they have to say in order to get what they want. I’m a fool for ever thinking he’d leave my brother alone.

Once I hit thirty, I slip out of the truck and follow.

I don’t know what I plan on doing. My heart’s racing as I approach the house. This is the stupid crap I yell at movies for, right? The dumb main character sneaking off and getting herself in trouble? For once though, I understand why those idiots can’t follow directions.

What if he needs me? And I’m not there? Cruz doesn’t know Bass.

I can’t stay behind when this is my fault.

The house is quiet. Bass already disappeared inside without trouble. I head around the side, skirting toward the yard. I have to hop a fence to get through and nearly fall on my face when my jeans catch on the top post. I stagger and push to my feet, unsteady, bleeding from my elbow but otherwise fine.

There’s a pool up ahead, the water green and nasty. Bugs flutter around the top. The lawn isn’t maintained back here at all and it’s almost entirely reclaimed by nature. There’s a back patio with metal furniture covered in ashtrays and empty, rain-filled bottles. Trashcans overflow nearby and smell like death. I cover my mouth with my hand and creep to the back door.

It’s left open. A screen covers the interior. Cool air conditioning blasts through. Several men stand in a cramped, dingy kitchen, the wallpaper peeling, the furniture simple but functional. It’s surprisingly clean compared to the garden. I press myself flat to the wall, heart pounding when I recognize Bass, standing with his back to me, one hand resting calmly against his belt like he’s inches from pulling his weapon.

But it’s Ruben’s voice drifting through that sends my stomach lurching.

“ … like you forgot, but this one’s my cousin, not yours.”

Bass’s response is calm. “The boy leaves with me.”

“I’m not a boy,” Cruz mutters sullenly. I peek around the corner, swallowing the urge to scream shut up, idiot!

But a soft grunt of pain wrenches from my throat when I get a better look at my little brother.

His right eye is black and blue. It’s halfway swollen shut. His lip is split and he’s sitting bunched to the side, one hand pressed to his ribs, his face grim and serious.

My heart shatters.

I thought I’d be pissed, seeing Cruz like that—but instead it’s like my soul breaks into a million little pieces.

Because while he’s sitting there looking all tough and holding it together, I know him better than that.

I see how scared he is.

Cruz looks older than fifteen. It gets him in trouble sometimes. People forget he’s still a kid even though he’s six foot and pretty well built for a guy who spends most his time playing videogames.

Even that comment he made was all bravado.

He’s still a child, and right now he’s scared out of his mind.

It takes a lot of effort not to rush in there to comfort him.

Bass steps forward. Everything about my husband is menacing. His voice drops low to a soft snarl. “You don’t seem to understand your position right now. That boy—” He points at Cruz without looking over. “That’s my brother-in-law, and whatever happened here, it clearly wasn’t good. I will be leaving with him. And you will not be foolish enough to stop me.”

I peer around the corner again. This time, Cruz glances over, and for the briefest moment our eyes meet. He looks surprised, sitting straighter, and the hope in his face kills me. The tears in his eyes make it even worse.

Fuck. Fuck!

“Last warning.” Bass gestures at Cruz to stand. I sink back into the shadows, struggling to keep myself under control. “You know who I am. Do you think I’d come to a place like this without a dozen guards? You think you’ll survive a raid?”

“You wouldn’t dare risk your precious corridor. You need me, Serafino.”

“I need your father, not you, and I have a feeling he needs me as much. But you’re disposable.”

“You motherfuck⁠—”