Fatal (Portland Street Kings Book 2) (7 page)

Heaviness hits my chest as I realize Slater’s worried I’d come for revenge.
Just as Rex has for the past five years.
Would I?
If he takes Rex from me, then he’s successfully destroyed my whole family. Yet knowing he might doesn’t fill my veins with rage, only grief that I have been unable to save my brother. I couldn’t save myself against my father when he was alive, but I’m determined to keep my big brother with me; to piece together what grief and rage have taken from me. 

My stare bounces around the room from one person to the next. I’m trying to keep up with my thoughts and understand what I’m about to do. It’s then I notice Mack has moved closer to me—almost within touching distance—yet I feel no warmth from his skin on mine to comfort me. 

Focusing back on Slater, I nod and a stray tear escapes. “I will understand and move on with my life. I would leave Louisville far behind.” My words come out strangled and I wipe at my face quickly. 

Slater lifts his chin in thanks and goes to turn and leave, but I’m not finished. 

“Wait.” 

Slater turns back around, his eyes swirling with curiosity. 

“Until that moment, I need to be with my brother. Separating us, you having me, it’s only going to send him further over the edge. Let me go home and I’ll talk to him. Really show him how far he’s gone, I’ll beg if need be. He’s already partly seen how bad it’s gotten with Della being hurt, give me the chance to push him a bit further, please.” 

“We can’t.” It’s Mack who speaks this time. “If we send you back, Rex is going to laugh at us. They all will. We have to stay strong and act as if we will follow through with our threats. Otherwise, Rex is going to assume we’re weak and he will come for us sooner and less prepared. Then he’ll walk directly into his own death.” 

“Mack’s right,” Pacer adds. “Rex isn’t going to give up this war because his sister begs him to. I’m sure you’ve already tried that anyway?” Pacer asks with a raised eyebrow, but I stay silent. The thickness in my throat doesn’t allow me to speak right now, to let them know that Rex has ignored my pleading over the past five years. “He’ll refuse you, and you’ll send him to us sooner, and we
will
be prepared. This way, he has a life he cherishes in his hands, he won’t take that so lightly… we hope,” Pacer finishes on a whisper. 

Rex, choose the right path, please.
I wish I had the confidence in my brother to know, without a doubt, he’d do whatever it took to save my life. 

“Seven days, Lana,” Slater says gently. “Rex has seven days to save his own life.” 

With Slater’s devastating words, they all walk out of the room. Mackson is last. I sense his hesitation, and for a split second, I consider begging him to stay, to hold me and tell me everything will be okay. Instead, I stay silent and he gives me his back as he closes the bedroom door. 

I walk to the window and stare out into the night sky, and with a jolt of hope shooting through my chest I decide to find a way to save my brother, even if I have to do it from afar.
 

Chapter Four

Lana

Sitting at the large table eating French toast, which Pacer made everyone for breakfast, I glance around the kitchen remembering when Della and the guys first moved in here. It had been bare except for a table and a toaster and some cutlery. Now it’s filled with furniture, pictures, bookshelves and many more things that make this house feel like a home. 

I finish my last slice of toast and take my plate to the sink, placing it on the side, where all the morning’s dishes have piled up. Turning around quickly, eager to head back up to my
holding
room, I smack straight into a damp, bare chest. 

My palms are met with solid, defined abs. I blink once, then twice as I inhale sharply from the wondrous sight in front of me. A large chest covered in beautiful intricate tattoos, all in classic shadings of black, white and gray. Words across a hip, just above a pair of dark sweatpants garner my attention. ‘
You don’t know what you’re alive for until you know what you would die for.’
The black calligraphy is wrapped around the word
‘family’
which is shaded in gray. It’s one of the most beautiful tattoos I’ve ever seen. 

My eyes swiftly rise to identify who I’m looking at.
Mackson.
My gaze lands directly on irises the color of soil with speckles of gold throughout them, eyes I memorized over a decade ago and still couldn’t forget, even in my dreams. The carnal intensity swirling in Mack’s stare causes my heart to race and my skin flushes as if the lick of heat from a fire is nearby. 

My breathing becomes erratic and in an attempt to get a hold of my senses I take a quick step back, except my body is met with the kitchen bench. Mack takes that same step forward, plus a bit extra, and suddenly every inch of his body is pressed up against mine. 

I exhale in a rush from the shock of intimacy Mack is creating between us.
What is he doing?
Do I care about the why?
No, I don’t, the touch of his skin and the smell of the soap that’s coming from his freshly showered body is all I can think about right now. 

My eyes lock with Mack’s. I’m searching for his next move. Should I make it or let him continue to lead? His stare gives nothing away and my hands ache to explore his body, from the tips of my fingers down to my toes, my body tingles with anticipation. Swiftly every tingle and ache dissolves as Mack shoves a piece of French toast into his mouth, steps back, looks at me blankly and then walks out of the kitchen without a word. 

I glance behind me to see the plate Pacer filled with toast for us all. Heat rises up my neck and my heart beats rapidly against my chest as embarrassment engulfs me. 

That asshole.
He knew exactly what he was doing. 

I walk swiftly out of the kitchen, wanting… no, needing a shower to wash away my humiliation. I pass the living room, but don’t look to see who’s in there until I’m halfway up the stairs and I peer into the room and find Piper and Slater talking to Mack. I don’t spare a smile for Piper, who looks my way, all I can bear at the moment is a death stare aimed straight at Mack’s back.
 

Argh.
I hate him.
 

After a long cold shower, I rummage through Della’s drawers and pull out some clean underwear and a pair of black shorts with a matching T-shirt, which has a blue skull on the front.
I love the top.
 

I find myself staring out the same window I tried to escape through yesterday. Mack’s words that I would be killed were a bit overdramatic. Yes, a fall from here would hurt like a bitch, but I’d survive. 

I jump and yelp when the bedroom door flies open, feeling as if I have been caught doing something wrong. 

It’s Pacer at the door, first staring at me shocked and next he laughs out loud. “Am I really that scary?” He breathes on his hand and then sniffs his hand. “Or is it my breath?” 

Mack arrives at my door, fully dressed this time, body tense and eyes darting around wildly, appearing as if he’s ready for battle just as I giggle at Pacer.
 

Pacer pats Mack on the shoulder. “All good brother, it was just me. I should’ve knocked before opening the door.” 

Mack shrugs stiffly and then leaves just as quickly as he appeared. 

“If I were a nosey man, I’d ask you what the hell is going on between the two of you, especially after yesterday. But I’m not, so I’ll just say what I came up here for. Are you good with paper?” 

My forehead furrows and I scrunch my nose. “Am I good with paper?” 

“Yeah, you know computers… words on paper? I got a whole lot of paperwork sitting on Della’s desk in the garage, and I can’t figure out what it all is and the phone is ringing off the hook with parts that we’ve ordered and need to be picked up. But I can’t figure where to find it all and Slater’s taken off for a drive with Piper and this shit can’t wait. I know, in the old days, when we knew you, you’d help your dad out in the garage so I just figured you could help me?” 

I sigh and throw my arm out. “May as well, not much else to do around here. Lead the way.” 

“Thanks, you’ll be saving our asses on this. Shit’s gone downhill since Della’s been in the hospital.” 

A pang of guilt stabs at my chest since it’s my brother who put her there. It doesn’t take me long to find what Pacer needs. Della has kept everything up-to-date and their ordering system is the same one we used at my dad’s garage. 

I write down the details Pacer needs and while handing it to him, he thanks me, but his voice is drowned out by a roaring engine, thundering down the drive past the house. Pacer turns, his eyebrows furrowing, then relaxing when he views the orange Dodge Charger. He twists back to me and shoots me a smile before he takes his mobile and walks across the garage, obviously wanting quiet while he calls the suppliers.
 

I keep watch as the Dodge stops in the garage parking lot and a man unfolds from the car. The dark blond hair poking out from underneath the backward baseball cap gives away who it is straight away. Kelso shuts the car door and begins walking to the garage. He spots me and winks.

I can’t help but smile, the little brat was always the most flirtatious out of the Kings and damn has he grown up. His tight-fitting tank and jeans show how he’s changed from the small, scrawny kid he used to be, to the muscles-in-all-the-right-places and tattoo-covered arms man he is now.

My eyes are on Kelso walking toward me when I hear the back screen door slam closed. However, I don’t have time to look because Kelso picks me up and swings me around in a tight hug. I squeal in surprise but realize I shouldn’t. These guys were never mean or rude to me, they’re some of the kindest people I’ve ever met if you don’t get on their bad side that is. The last few years have changed how we all view each other. But it seems when we come back together, nothing has really changed at all… well, for all except one.

Kel places me down, steps back, and sweeps his gaze up and down my body with a mischievous grin. “Slater said you’d changed, babe, but he didn’t say you’d gotten sexier. Who fucking knew it was possible?”

My cheeks stretch into a wide smile and I cross my arms over my chest. “I could say the same to you. Got a few tattoos, hey?”

Kelso smirks, stretches one arm out and glances to the artwork across his skin. “Gotta find something to do in this boring-ass town.”

Suddenly, his smile dies and his brows rise. He nods toward the house and asks, “They weren’t too hard on you last night?”

I shrug, place my hands on my hips and reply in a matter-of-fact voice, “Nothing I can’t handle.”

Kelso tips his head to the side, licks his lips and says, “I like this new Lana.” His tone sultry.

I shake my head and laugh. “You haven’t changed a bit, Kelso.”

I’m about to tell Kelso to clear off when a deep, gravelly voice says, “For fuck’s sake, get a room you two.”

My heart squeezes painfully at Mack’s words. He thinks so little of me.

Kelso’s eyes narrow for a moment and then a slow smile builds. He places his palms up in the air. “Sorry brother didn’t realize you’d made a claim.”

“He hasn’t.”

“I haven’t.” 

I lower my chin and stare at the ground, wishing the earth would eat me whole.
Six days.
I can get through them, it’s not like my heart wasn’t ripped to shreds before I arrived. How could I possibly leave any worse? 

Heavy footsteps are heard behind me, but not getting closer, they’re moving further away. I peer up to Kelso, who’s standing next to me with a frown. 

As the screen door squeaks open and closed, quietly this time, Kelso glances to me. “I knew there was history between you two.” 

Crossing my arms in front of my chest, I press my lips together and peer around the garage.
I’m not talking if Mack never has.
 

“He’s changed over the years.” Kelso’s words gain my attention instantly. “Mack is the strongest out of us all. He can move on where some of us have struggled to overcome our past…” Kelso trails off and I watch as his eyes stare into the distance, seemingly lost for a moment. He recovers and continues, “However, somewhere along the way Mack lost what we all used to envy him for… his ability to be positive and hope for the best and his dreams for the future. He had so many and then one day they were gone. He got up each day, but he never actually lived, not for the future he used to hope for anyway.” 

I still, unable to move. Kelso’s words unknowing to him, shatter a piece of me, which used to be a part of those hopes and dreams. A fragment of my soul I thought broke a long time ago. 

“He was just, Lana. Whatever he’s telling you, he’s lying to you and to himself.” 

My eyes dart to Kelso. His words cause my breathing to spike and something I haven’t dared to want in a long time, hope for Mack and I. 

“Oi, Kel, get over here and help me with this fucking ordering shit,” Pacer yells from the other side of the garage, his booming voice jerks me out of my thoughts and forces me to decide. 

“See you round, babe,” Kel says with a wink. 

I nod and turn on my heels and head straight for the house. 

If I ruined Mack and he broke me, then maybe we can put each other back together?
 

I storm into the kitchen and spot a furious Mack turning from the window to me. 

Pointing my finger at him, I say, “You’ve got some nerve you know that.” 

Mack’s eyebrows shoot up and he pushes his own finger into his chest. “Me?” he says in an astonished tone. 

“Yes, Mackson King…
you
. How dare you insinuate that I need to get a room with your
brother?
Don’t disrespect or insult me like that again. You know how Kelso used to be with me, and every girl in a one hundred meter radius,” –I throw my arm out– “, and he clearly hasn’t changed. It’s all in fun, nothing more.” 

“Hey, I take offense to that,” Kelso announces in the distance. 

Mack and I swing our angry gazes to the window and catch Kelso and Pacer watching us with smiles on their faces. 

“Fuck off,” Mack and I say in unison, both of our tempers dangerously close to snapping completely.