Stupid.

Who would’ve done something so horrible?

Heavy footsteps fell toward us, and Brax lumbered up to the sofa. His face was grave, but those strange blue eyes looked kindly down at me. I rose, but he placed his big hand on my shoulder. “He’s sleeping right now, Harper,” he said.

“I know,” I answered, and looked toward the bedroom. The door was cracked, but I couldn’t see anything. “Maybe I can just sit by him?”

“Actually,” Brax said. “I need to talk to you.”

I met his odd gaze. “All right.” I sat back down.

“I’m going to make some hot tea,” Olivia said, rising. “Harper?”

I shook my head, and she offered me a smile and moved across the studio, to the sink. Brax sat down beside me, his muscular forearms resting on his big thighs.

“Kane and me, we learned things the hard way growin’ up. I met him in a pretty decent foster home. Nice people. But the good ones never last.” He looked at me. “We were split up after that, but stayed in the same district.” He smiled. “Kane was always lookin’ out for me, and would beat the holy fuck out of any wise ass who tried to bother me.” He ducked his head, much in the same gesture Kane did with me, and captured my gaze. “To this day, I’d die for him. But, to this day there are things I still don’t know. About his past.” He clasped his hands together. “I know he had a little sister, younger than me. Used to take her beatings for her. That was his real dad who did that shit to his back.” He rubbed his head with his hand. “I don’t know much else, other than the prick is in prison.”

I drank it all in, every horrible word. Guilt rushed over me, for ever feeling sorry for myself. I wanted to go to him, so badly. But Brax kept me beside him.

“See, I don’t know why Kane stays in the numbers,” he continued. “He’s wicked smart. But I do know one thing about my brother,” he said, and I looked at Brax Jenkins then. Waited. “He’s strong. And he’s honorable. And when he’s got your back, he’s got it for life.” He cocked his head. “So what I’m sayin’ is, he’s got your back. Make sure you have his, too.”

My heart was in my throat. I couldn’t say anything. Only breathe. Soak in every word. Every unbelievable word.

“Give him some time, Harper. For you to see his scars? It might seem like something small to you, or to anyone. But it’s not. He’s ashamed of them, and he’d have done anything to keep you from seeing them.”

I nodded, understanding. “He doesn’t want to see me, does he?”

Brax’s strong hand grasped my shoulder and squeezed. “It’s not you, sweetheart. It’s something he’s got to deal with. Let him. It’s shitty, I know—but it’s just our way.” He leaned close. “You know, us Southie boys do things a little different.”

He tried to lighten my mood, but it didn’t really work. “I know,” I replied, and part of me did understand. I rose, and turned to Kane’s brother. “Thanks, Brax,” I said quietly. “Please…let me know if I can do anything. And tell him,” I looked up, into Brax’s startling eyes, and words failed me, “that I’m thinking of him.”

Brax’s face relaxed as he smiled, and it was like some magical transformation. Harsh turned to handsome. No wonder Olivia had fallen so hard for him. “You know I will, half-pint.”

Olivia walked me outside, and darkness shrouded us both. She’d pulled a red slouchy beanie over her head, and her long sun-kissed braid hung loose and messy over her shoulder. The yard light beamed around her like a halo.

“I’m sure he’ll come around, Harper,” she said. “Those two.” She shook her head. “Their stories are unbelievable. The ones they share, anyway.” She sighed. “I’m sure there are some things they’ll always keep to themselves. It’s a rough life they led.”

I nodded. I didn’t know what to say.

She smiled and hugged me, and I was so stunned that I didn’t even flinch. “There are a lot of us who’ve had things happen that we’d rather forget,” she said against my hair, then looked at me. “I’m here if you need a friend,” she said sweetly.

“Thank you, Olivia,” I returned.

And I left.

I laid in my bed that night, my mind filled with the drastic events of the day. The brutality of Kane’s anger as he’d surged up and attacked had stunned me. I knew he’d been capable. He was just…always so gentle, so soft spoken. So in control. It was a shock to see him pound into someone with such fury.

I had cheered him on, though. I’d wanted him to beat the hell out of those guys. The way it’d taken three men to finally put Kane down? There was physical strength, yes, but it also took mental strength to get back up after a beating like that.

In my mind’s eye, the ragged letters cut into his back anchored there, and no matter what else I tried thinking about, that came to the forefront. I don’t know why I needed to know more, but I did. Brax didn’t even know all the details. What made me think I ever would?

The next evening, I called a meeting with the Deltas.

“Ladies,” I began. Back at the podium, usually tucked neatly against the wall in the corner of the common room, I once again gripped the wood with my palms. “After giving careful thought, I feel that I was perhaps too hasty for vengeance with the Kappas and their Dare.” I glanced at the sisters. “I won’t beat around the bush,” I continued. “I feel the need to call off our Dare.”