Chapter 17 #2
Silence surrounds me as I put the energy reader into my bag, avoiding meeting his gaze.
Eventually, he breaks the tension with a whispered, “My brother was kidnapped when we were kids.” I turn back to him, but now he’s the one staring at the wall over my shoulder, gaze clouding over as he dredges up a memory.
“They ransomed Seb out to our parents for half a mil, and when he came back to us,” he swallows, “Sebastian was never the same. He was just so… so angry all the time. Started shit with everyone that looked at him, determined to prove that he wasn’t weak.
That he would never be a victim again. Swearing it was a cerberus that took him, that the man was a hell beast with three heads, and that’s the only reason he couldn’t fight him off, but it wouldn’t stand a chance next time. ”
Stryker grimaces. “He went through something traumatic he never recovered from, coming up with all sorts of fantastical, ridiculous stories over the years. That it wasn’t just a cerberus, he had all sorts of monsters working for him.
I don’t blame him; he needed to put it somewhere in his brain to cope with what happened to him, to regain a sense of power over a situation he felt powerless and explain why it wasn’t his fault so he could sleep at night.
But somewhere along the way, he started to hate me for never suffering through what he did. ”
Exhaling heavily, he finally meets my gaze, the pain clear in his eyes.
“It got so bad that I was relieved when I turned eighteen and could use enlisting as an excuse to get away from him. I hoped that time and space would help, but all it did was obliterate whatever fragile threads were left between us. When I finished my time in the military and came home to join the family business, he was…”
Stryker rubs the back of his neck with a weary sigh.
“I don’t even recognize my older brother anymore.
Life has twisted him into this bitter, cruel thing, but he’s learned the worst kind of survival skill; how to manipulate people.
Tell them everything they want to hear so they trust him, then use it to his advantage.
Somewhere along the road he stopped seeing people as human beings, just potential threats or assets. ”
He offers a wry, sad smile. “I know why he turned into a monster, but I can’t do shit to stop it because my parents still feel guilty about not protecting him as a kid and have overcompensated ever since.
If I don’t convince my father to name me his successor, I’m scared they aren’t going to listen to me until it’s too late and a lot of innocent people are going to pay the price. ”
My heart bleeds for him, but I know firsthand that some things can’t be magically fixed, even if we spend every one of our birthday wishes on it and beg every shooting star.
“I know it’s not the same, but for what it’s worth, I understand what it’s like to have an older brother overshadow you.
” Toying with the silver bracelet on my wrist that protects me from being force bonded, I add, “Our parents died when I was little, so Killian pretty much raised me. Everywhere we went in the village, people praised him for it. Fawned over how amazing he was. And when it came out that-” I bite my tongue, barely catching myself from blurting out my condition and carefully rephrasing, “when it became clear that he was this prodigal healer I could never compare to, people didn’t treat me badly, per se, but they were more careless with their backhanded comments. ”
“Of course you couldn’t compare to him,” Stryker says, and my stomach drops until he finishes, “he’s nowhere near your level.
I didn’t come to Mercy Ridge for a doctor, Kiara, I came for the ‘Angel of Mercy.’ The mysterious healer that pulls off miracles.
For the woman that thinks outside of the box and rescues creatures that other people have already given up on.
Do you not realize how impressive it is that you cure animals that can’t tell you what’s wrong?
You go in missing half the information and have to not only figure out the problem, but save them.
That’s twice as much work for half the pay. ”
“I wish it was half,” I mutter.
The corner of his lips quirk up. “See?”
I roll my eyes. “You make me sound way more impressive than I actually am. Especially when you’re out here kicking ass and planning a hostile takeover.”
Sheepishly, he rubs the back of his neck. “Speaking of plans, are you free this weekend?”
My stomach flips. “My brother was going to take me to an animal expo in Rentown tomorrow, but apparently he’s on call and can’t drive me after all.
So I’m going to try to bribe my friend for a ride, but I’m not holding my breath.
Her mates aren’t going to want her to leave the safety of Mercy’s wards to go someplace so crowded.
They’re very much- stab first, ask questions later, type of people. Not worth all the drama.”
“I could take you.”
Surprise, guilt, and hope war against each other. “Seriously? It’s a huge favor to ask.”
“Good thing you didn’t ask then, I offered. But for what it’s worth,” Stryker closes the distance between us and tucks a lock of hair behind my ear, “even if you asked, I’d have said yes in a heartbeat. Spending time with you isn’t a burden, Kiara, it’s a gift.”
My heart skips a beat as I take a serious second look at him.
From the moment he walked into my life, I knew Stryker was attractive, but put him straight in the ‘off limits’ category.
He’s a client, a patient, and frankly? Out of my league.
Sincere, wealthy, yet with an aura of danger clinging to him like a second skin.
He could do far better than a defective myst drowning in debt.
Not to mention, I have no idea what the heck is going on with Devlin.
Our date went well. Or at least, I thought it did, but he hasn’t reached out since.
Yet, he’s religiously dropped off dinner on my doorstep every night, and my path to work every morning is freshly salted and ice free.
No matter if I’m staring out the window for hours watching so I can try to catch him, though, I always miss him.
The guy’s a ghost. The only thing I really know when it comes to Devlin? He’s the king of mixed messages.
Even if Stryker is asking me out as more than friends, Devlin and I have only been on one date, and he left without leaving me his number. And when it comes down to it? Neither of them are my primary concern.
What my mate needs right now is enough valerian root to knock him on his ass before he hurts himself, and that’s all that matters. Better a ride from Stryker than hitchhiking my way there.
“Pick me up here at nine tomorrow morning?”
A genuine grin splits his face as he snatches up my coat and holds it out for me to step into. “It’s a date.”