48. Shep
48
SHEP
I slammed the door of my truck so hard it sent the entire vehicle rocking. My back molars ground together as I stalked up the walkway to Trace’s Craftsman. It wasn’t one of my builds, but I had redone the kitchen and bathrooms, along with putting in a window seat for Keely in her bedroom.
But I couldn’t take in the family charm of the place now, or how hard my brother had worked to give Keely everything he hadn’t had growing up. I was too furious.
I’d taken my time to make sure Thea was okay and wasn’t triggered or frightened. But all she seemed to be concerned about was me. That Brendan knew who I was. That he would hurt me. My business, my reputation. But I didn’t give a damn about that. All I cared about was her.
I’d waited until Anson and Rhodes could get to my place before taking off for Trace’s. I hadn’t wanted to leave her alone, not when Brendan thought he could show up at her house whenever he pleased. But I needed to talk to my brother. And I had to do it alone .
Taking the steps two at a time, I reached the front porch in record time. I knocked twice but didn’t hear an answer. I knew he had to be home. His shift had ended an hour ago, and Keely was with her mom this week.
I knocked again, louder this time.
Footsteps sounded from inside, and the door swung open. “Jesus, Shep. Give me a second to get to the door—” His words cut off as he took in my face. “What happened?”
My jaw worked back and forth. “Brendan was waiting for Thea when we got home.”
Trace was on alert in a split second. “Inside or outside?”
“Out.”
“Damn it. I wanted to get him on breaking and entering at least.”
“Trespassing?” I suggested.
Trace shook his head, motioning me inside and shutting the door behind me. “I’ve been to Thea’s place. There are no signs that state it’s private property. It’d never stand up in court.”
I cursed.
“Come on, walk me through it,” Trace said, leading me to the kitchen.
So, I did. I gave my brother every detail I could think of. But just recounting it had my fury blazing brighter. Remembering how he’d taunted her, goaded me. Knowing that he was free to continue tormenting Thea.
Trace was quiet for a long moment when I finished. That was his MO, though. His mind had a similar quality to Anson’s, always taking its time to look at all the puzzle pieces. Trace just saw them through a different lens.
“Thea’s right. Brendan was hoping you’d hit him. That maybe he could get you out of the way long enough to break down her defenses again. Get her to come back to him, most likely.”
A growl tore from my throat at the mere thought of it.
Trace’s gaze snapped to me. “It’s not going to happen, so just breathe. Jesus.”
But I couldn’t. Each breath felt like it was made of razor blades. “ How would you feel if the tables were turned? If someone who’d tortured the person you love could just walk right up to her and throw all that shit in your face?”
Trace’s eyes flared in surprise before he quickly covered it. “Someone you love?”
“Yes. I fucking love her. I’d do anything for her. So, help me.”
Trace leaned against the kitchen counter. “I’m doing everything I can. But it’s not easy. And Dex said Brendan must have a hacker working for him or have those skills himself. His computers are locked down tight.”
Hell. Thea had said Brendan was an expert at tech.
I scrubbed a hand over my stubbled cheek. “So, he can just show up? Mess with her?”
Trace shook his head. “I’ll mark on the official record that you and Thea asked him to leave her property. Sutton has refused him service at the bakery. If he shows up at either of those places again, we’ll have grounds for a restraining order. I’m going to put that in writing to his attorneys so they can’t plead misunderstanding to a judge.”
“It’s not enough.” I wasn’t sure anything would be until Brendan Boseman was no longer breathing.
Trace’s gaze locked with mine. “You need to watch yourself. This asshole isn’t going to like that you’re with Thea. He could mess with you in a multitude of ways.”
“Let him try,” I gritted out.
Worry filled Trace’s expression. “Don’t be an idiot. You need to play this smart.”
The sound of the front door opening had Trace’s focus shifting away from me.
“Yo, dipshit. Where are you?”
Cope’s voice rang out through the entryway and had Trace and me looking at each other with a mix of concern and confusion.
“In the kitchen, jockstrap,” Trace called back.
Heavy footfalls sounded, and Cope’s massive frame filled the space. He grinned at us. “Two idiots for the price of one. How the hell are you?” He pulled Trace into a back-slapping hug and then me .
Trace studied Cope carefully. “What are you doing here? I thought you decided to stay in Seattle.”
Something swept across Cope’s face so quickly I almost missed it. Something dark. But he covered it with that patented easy grin of his. “Can’t I just miss my fam bam?”
Trace and I shared another look.
“Oh, piss off,” Cope said, giving me a shove. “I needed to get out of the city for a while. Actually get a little R&R.”
“Fair enough,” Trace acquiesced. But I knew my older brother better than that. Trace would quietly dig until he figured out what was going on with Cope. “You want a beer or a soda?”
“Beer,” Cope said, then looked at me. “What’s got your face looking like you sucked on a lemon?”
Right to the point as always. I hadn’t talked to Cope in weeks, other than the occasional group siblings’ text, so he had no clue what was going on. And I didn’t have the first idea where to start.
But Trace did it for me. “Shep’s in love.”
Cope winced as he took the beer and raised it to me. “I’d be looking like that, too.”
I glared at him. “Don’t be an asshole.”
“That’s his natural state,” Trace muttered.
Cope flipped him off. “Tell me what’s really going on.”
So, I did. And by the time I finished, Cope was nearly as furious as I was. “How the hell do we nail this guy? Kye might still know some guys from?—”
“No.” Trace’s single word rang with finality. And I didn’t blame him. When Kye had gotten mixed up with underground fighting in his teens, it had almost cost him everything.
Trace sighed. “We play this smart, and we work together. We’ll make sure Thea stays safe.”
I wanted to believe my brother. And I knew he was right when it came to Thea’s physical safety. But I’d seen the devastation Brendan could inflict with a few simple keyboard strokes. How the hell did I protect Thea from that?