Chapter 23
CHAPTER 23
NORTH CAROLINA
B ryson choked, breathing heavily as the red heels rounded the corner and out of sight. His mind felt foggy from the lack of oxygen, his limbs heavy.
“I dunno. He looks blissed-out to me.”
It was Kaydon’s voice. It was far away. Bryson shook his head, willing himself back to clarity.
Blinking, his brother’s face came into focus in front of him.
“Scratch that, he’s back,” Kaydon said.
Bryson took in a steadying breath. “What are you waiting for? Untie me.”
Kaydon shrugged. “Boss man said to wait until we finished eating.”
Bryson was speechless. Kaydon walked back to the table. Seth was unusually preoccupied with his plate.
“Kaydon, untie me right now or so help me?—”
“Or what?”
Kaydon’s tone surprised him.
“You’ll do what exactly?” Kaydon said, not even bothering to look at him.
“Whatever,” Bryson said. “Do what you want.”
What a surprise, they were siding with her .
Kaydon took a bite. “I will.”
Bryson’s blood was boiling by the time they finished eating. Where the fuck did they get off? He didn’t force them to come here. They had chosen to come. And now they were mad at him, as if he had a say in any of it.
Seth approached and snipped his arms first.
“Didn’t have the balls to untie me yourself?” Bryson fired at Kaydon over Seth’s shoulder.
Kaydon leaned against the door frame. “No,” he said, cracking his knuckles. “Just didn’t feel like it.”
“Sure.”
When Bryson was free, he pulled on his pants and made a beeline for his room.
He could feel Kaydon hot on his heels. He needed some space. So, when Kaydon’s hand grabbed his shoulder, Bryson rounded on him, pushing him back. “Don’t fucking touch me.”
Kaydon put up his hands, his eyes widening.
“What the fuck do you want?” Bryson yelled.
Kaydon was right behind him. “What is your problem? You’ve been moping around here, running twice a day. We are supposed to be doing this shit together.”
“I guess I don’t take to whoring myself out as easily as you two.”
Storming into his room, he tried to slam his door, but Kaydon blocked it. Pushing his way into the room, Kaydon crowded him and pinned both his shoulders against the wall.
“Seth and I are here for you, because of your shitbag father. Least you can do is show us some respect.”
Bryson twisted under Kaydon and kneed him in the stomach. “What have you done to deserve my respect? Prostrating yourself whenever she’s close.”
“Jealous?” Kaydon sneered.
Bryson laughed, “Getting off being dominated by her , hard pass. ”
“Stop it.” Seth’s voice was soft, and Bryson barely registered it.
Kaydon, still right in his face, said, “Figure your shit out, and stop taking it out on us.”
Kaydon walked towards Seth, but Bryson’s anger was just getting started, and he wasn’t ready to go back to being invisible. “I thought it would be harder to mindfuck the two of you. Guess I’m just surprised.”
Kaydon turned his posture aggressive, but Seth grabbed his arm.
“Ignore him, Kay,” Seth said. “He’s upset.”
Bryson doubled down, saying, “I thought I’d get off on it, but you’re both so easy, it’s just been pathetic.”
“Can’t be any more pathetic than watching you waste your time and talent every day, just to piss off the old man,” Kaydon said.
Bryson’s fist caught him in the chin. His wrist band vibrated, but he ignored it, wrestling Kaydon, the two of them exchanged blows. Bryson was strong, but he wasn’t able to compete against Kaydon. And it wasn’t long before Kaydon had him pinned.
A rhythmic banging drew his attention, confusing him.
Bryson turned toward the sound.
Kaydon’s grip on his wrists vanished.
“Seth, easy,” Kaydon said, his voice strained.
Bryson twisted around just in time to see Kaydon rush to Seth’s side.
Seth was curled in the corner, knees drawn to his chest, his head slamming against the wall behind him.
Over.
And over.
And over.
His eyes were scrunched shut.
Bryson’s anger evaporated instantly.
“Fuck . ” He moved fast, following Kaydon.
Seth’s body was unnatural—rigid, tight—his entire frame locked in something raw. It was almost unbearable to look at.
“Seth, stop . ” Bryson’s voice cracked.
Kaydon and Bryson worked together, pulling Seth away from the wall.
And then—Seth went limp. A heavy silence filled the space, thick and suffocating.
Bang.
Seth’s head hit the floor.
Kaydon’s face twisted with pain as he scrambled to grab Seth’s face, trying to still him.
Seth fought him, his tendons bulging against his throat, his body straining against Kaydon’s grip.
“Seth, stop.”
Bryson reached out, desperate to touch him. To hold him.
But—the blood. It seeped from the back of Seth’s skull, dark and terrifying.
Bryson froze.
His own hands—his own fucking hands—were stained red.
This was his fault.
All of it.
The fight. The damage.
Everything.
“Move!”
Adria’s voice cut through the chaos.
Bryson barely registered her presence before she pressed herself against Seth, taking over. Kaydon and Bryson instinctively moved back, giving her space.
Bryson’s fingers dug into his hair.
“He just—” His voice panicked “We were fighting, and he?—”
His throat tightened around the words, guilt sinking in.
Adria placed a hand on Seth’s chest, her touch firm but gentle.
“Shhhhhh,” she whispered. “Easy now.”
Her other hand pressed against the floor where Seth had been slamming his head.
Then, slowly, her fingers wove through his blond locks.
A hum filled the space—soft, rhythmic.
A slow melody.
Bryson dropped to his knees with a painful thud, unable to look away.
He watched.
Watched as Seth’s breath steadied.
Watched as the tension in his body unwound.
Watched as his Seth came back, inch by inch.
And without realizing it—Bryson’s own breath started to mirror Seth’s.
His chest rose and fell in sync.
Adria didn’t look at him. Didn’t acknowledge him. Her entire focus was on Seth.
“Kaydon,” she murmured, voice calm, hands still stroking through Seth’s hair, “go to your room.”
Kaydon hesitated—just for a second—then stood and left.
She barely paused before continuing.
“Eric,” she called, “show Bryson to the third-floor room, and come back with a sedative.”
A hand landed on Bryson’s shoulder.
Eric.
Bryson didn’t flinch.
Didn’t resist.
Didn’t fight it.
Seth was in good hands, and they were not his own.
He let himself be led away. Up the stairs. Through a door.
And then he was alone .
The dim light cast long shadows across the floor.
The back of his hands were still wet with blood.
Kaydon’s blood.
His entire body vibrated.
The silence pressed in, but it didn’t calm him.
Bryson crouched on the floor, knees pulled tight to his chest.
Feeling like he might just come apart.