Kingdom (Avenues Ink Series Book 2) by A.M. Johnson

Author:A.M. Johnson [Johnson, A.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
Publisher: A.M. Johnson Books
Published: 2017-05-22T16:00:00+00:00

Once Upon a Present

“How’s she doing?” Kemper asked as he wiped down the bright red leather of his work table.

“She looks a little better,” I said, a little clipped. I was anxious to leave and this nosey asshole was always in my business.

“She finally talking to you?” Kieran asked as he stopped by Kemp’s station.

I sighed. “Fuck no. She’s asleep every time I show up. It’s why I need to get the hell out of here.”

The crease between Kieran’s brows deepened. “Maybe… I don’t know, Liam, maybe it’s for the best. She sounds like a train wreck.”

If I didn’t love this kid… “I should just abandon her then? When she needs me the most?”

Kemper coughed, his face laced with nerves as he stared at Kieran.

“That’s not what I meant. But, from what you said the other day, she didn’t seem too receptive of your offer to help. Maybe she doesn’t need you anymore.” He rubbed his chin and shrugged his shoulders as he leaned in and whispered, “I know you, big brother, and I know how this is going to end. And it’s not pretty.”

Tension collected in the muscle of my jaw and my spine went stiff. I hated that he was right. Kelly shut down that night after I told her I was there to help. She’d closed her eyes and didn’t say a word. After about five minutes of silence I’d left, letting myself believe she’d fallen back to sleep. She hadn’t been happy to see me at her bedside when those eyes had finally opened that first night. Maybe we were a lost cause.

There was no we anymore.

Kelly and I, we could destroy each other faster than any collision ever could.

I ignored the ever-present doubt, looked my baby brother in the eye, and spoke in a low voice, “I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do, but I know I can’t turn my back on her. Regardless of how much shit this could cause. Isn’t that what your God teaches you, forgive and forget? Charity… even if the sacrifice leaves me bleeding in the end, at least I’m out there, at least I’m living.”

Kieran shook his head. “You’ve been hiding for three damn years.”

“I’m not a coward,” I growled.

“Come on, guys.” Kemper’s attempt to shut us up fell on deaf ears.

“You’re not a coward.” Kieran clapped his hand onto my shoulder. “But you’re not the only person in this family who worries. Kelly left, and you think you stayed, but you didn’t. You left the day she did, just not in the same way. And these past few months… when you helped Paige and Dex buy that place, it felt like you were finally coming home, and I’d like you to stay. I’ve missed my brother.”

His jaw ticked as I kept my eyes on his. My throat was on fire as it narrowed, and I pushed back the turbulence coursing through my veins.

I cleared my throat and gave him a weak smile. “Don’t worry, little man, I can handle myself.

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