The Four Beta Brothers – Chapter 120

JUNIPER

Everything felt dark and cold, and my entire body ached. I tried to move, but I couldn’t. It felt like I was stuck behind a screen, only able to watch the darkness and pain unfold. Then it felt like someone reached into my chest and ripped my heart out. I tried to scream, but no sounds came out of my mouth.

My eyes snapped open as my body flung forward, suddenly waking up. I looked around the room, and it was mostly dark, but the light from the moon crept in from the slits in the blinds. Asher and Axel slept on either side of me, and neither seemed disturbed.

t a dream.

est ache with the fierceness of a thunderst

beads of sweat ran down my head. I touched the scar on my chest where the bullet invaded my body, but that wasn’t what hurt. The pain originate

of water.

the light to navigate the kitchen. I started opening cupboards, realizing I didn’t know where the cups were yet. Asher, Axel, and I spent the rest of the day in bed. Asher even cooked dinner and broug

ment with dinner with the three of them, but Asher and Axel had thoroughly worn me out, so an evening in bed was nice

in the cupboard to your left.”

wasn’t alone. I turned quickly and saw Ethan sitting at the kitchen table, staring at a full plate of food. He was conflicted and di

till a little strange to call this place my home. It was new and

han didn’t have to say anything for me to know Nathan was in trouble.

on my chest. “And I woke up with this pain radiating from my heart.

something isn’t healing right?”

don’t know what, but I know something is wrong.”

” He turned away from me, but I felt a crash of frustration and uncertainty start to drown him.

out anything about Nathan?” I asked. I didn’t want to know, but I needed to know.

Nathan or Anthony. They are at a loss about what to do—well, not a complete loss. They want to use you as bait, but I shot that i

asked.

ble to draw Anthony out of hiding if he thinks he has a chance of getting his hands on you. I will not put you through that risk, especially not when you were just released from the hospital.”

hey don’t have any other ideas on how to find Nathan?”

No,” Ethan s

n a question. Nathan was my mate, and he was in trouble. If there was any chance at all that I could get him back, then I knew I didn’t have a choice.

han said,

o do.” My hands shook in frustration and anger.

, you nearly died. If he manages to get to you again, I have no idea what kind of horrors he’ll unleash on you. You’re not even fully recovered yet,” Ethan said. “It’s too risky.”

ngth was returning at an incredible speed, and I knew it wouldn’t be long before I surpassed my previous strength.

a command from Ethan. It was a plea. “I can’t lose you. I’ve lost too many people in my life, and if I lose you, too, then I don’t know what I’ll do.”

nse as the conversation went on.

but I’ve failed him like I failed James. I can’t keep failing like this. I don’t know what to do to fix it.”

e, he needed someone to take care of him.

take over the role his father neglected. He worked harder than anyone of his age should have to, not only to train for the role given to him by his birthright, but also to keep his family together in the only way he knew how. It was too much of a burden for any one person to bear.

have done something to stop my father from taking Nathan. He is my younger brother. He

ogether the way he had done for his family for years. He deserved a moment to let go and only worry about himself, even if it was just for a few moments.

k.”

would leave behind.

hispered. His body was heavy against mine, and I knew cryin

They were clearer now, as if the tears had washed away some of the pain. “Never apologize for showing this side of you to me. I will love any side of you, and I will be your strength when you don’t have any

upped my face and smiled. “I don’

ther out of hiding, then I want to try.”

like this. I trusted his judgment under normal circumstances, but this was anything but

kissed me, and his panic poured into his movements. “Please, don’t agree to this. Please.” He kissed me again and again, begging me with his lips and his words.

, I felt myself giving into him—at least for tonight. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to give up on the idea all together, especially with the ache in my chest, but I also knew Ethan needed me to agree with him to calm down.

was okay, but it wasn’t enough.

y listening. The logical Ethan was nowhere to be found. The man in front of me was broken, and I couldn’t add any more pain.

I didn’t know what I could say to convince him that everything would be okay, so instead, I deepened the kiss. I pressed my chest against his, making sure he could feel I was right in front of

with his belt. He growled, knowing where this was going, and he quickly picked me up and set me on the counter. His eyes locked with mine, and I knew this was only the beginning of the distraction.