Up to Me - By M. Leighton Page 0,31

to be my perfect brother, by living his perfect life and having to put up with the assholes someone like him would associate with? You mean by spending years grieving the loss of every single member of my family? You mean by visiting my only living relative in a guarded room with glass between us twice a month for seven years, and working day and night to figure out a way to get him out? Is that what you mean?"

Nash takes a step toward me. I see Gavin flinch like he's ready to step in again; he didn't move far away to begin with. But Nash stops.

"That sounds a hell of a lot better than spending the last seven years on the run. In hiding. I gave up everything - who I was, what I wanted, all I ever had - to honor my father's wishes. To keep him safe, to keep you safe. I got to sneak into town a few times a year to see my brother living my life. Free. Happy. Alive. While I had to stay dead. Running guns with smugglers. Stuck on a ship. Every day, for months at a time. I'd trade lives with you any day of the week."

"You can have your life! I never wanted it. Everything I've done, I've done for him. Don't think you're the only one who's suffered, Nash."

We stare each other down. We're at an impasse. I'd never admit it, but now I can see why he'd be angry. We've both suffered, both paid for mistakes that weren't ours. But maybe the end is in sight. Maybe it's finally time to be free of the past. Finally.

"I know you boys have a lot to talk about, but it has to wait. We've only got a few hours to get a plan together. What do you say we put the bullshit aside and get down to business?"

I look to Gavin. His expression hasn't changed from the pleasant one that he always wears. Sometimes it's hard to believe he's deadly. But he is. He just hides it well. That probably makes him even more dangerous.

"You're right. We don't have time for this." I glance at the clock on the wall. "It'll be time to close soon. I'll have to bring Olivia back and fill her in on some of what's going on."

"Do you think that's really the smart thing to do?" Nash snaps.

"Yes, as a matter of fact I do. She needs to know. She has a right to know. Her life is in danger because of me. Because of us. Hell yeah, I think it's the smart thing. The more cooperative she is, the better."

Nash rolls his eyes and shakes his head. Obviously he disagrees. But, again, I couldn't care less. He doesn't have to agree with me; he just has to give me what I need to make sure Olivia's safe. Permanently. Then I don't give a rat's ass what he does.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN - Olivia
Strange huge men keep disappearing into Cash's office, so when the bar closes, I'm a little nervous about going back there. But I go. I don't really have much of a choice. I'm in way over my head.

As I reach beneath the bar and grab my purse, I hear the door to the office open. A sliver of light pours out onto the floor and I hear voices. Low, deep voices. My stomach curls into a tight knot.

The door opens further and Cash's big body blocks most of the light. His eyes lock onto mine immediately. "Are you done?"

I nod.

He turns back and speaks to someone behind him then emerges to walk across the room and lock the front doors. I watch him, afraid to move. Without my work and all the customers in the bar, the tension is sliceable.

How did I get myself into this mess?

Before I can formulate some kind of answer, Cash is walking toward me, his face hard and intense. "Let's go back to my office. There are some things I need to tell you."

My pulse picks up and dread runs through my veins like ice water. Cash meets me at the cut-out at the end