to slip into Nathan’s mind. To offer him support. To know what was being said, but she wouldn’t intrude on his privacy.
She knew all too well how much he loved his family. They’d been all he’d focused on when he was in captivity. Whatever it was keeping the two brothers apart would be resolved. It had to be.
NATHAN stared at his twin in silence. This was a new situation for him, being so unsure of where he stood with the sibling he was closest to. Joe was tense and a little unsure himself. He seemed poised to say many things, but he held back. Maybe he was afraid of making Nathan angry.
Finally Joe broke the silence. “Why, man?”
Nathan didn’t pretend to misunderstand the question. He drew in a breath, unsure of what to say to his brother. He didn’t fully understand things himself. He was only now starting to feel like he was piecing himself back together and he had Shea to thank for that. He had a hell of a lot to thank her for. She gave him purpose. Purpose he hadn’t had in months.
“Why didn’t you ask me for help?” Joe asked quietly when Nathan continued to be silent. “You had to know I’d understand. You had to know that I wouldn’t have judged you. Hell, even if I thought you were off your fucking rocker, I would have done anything to help you. I hated seeing you like that. I’ve never felt so goddamn helpless in my life, and it pissed me off that you locked me out. You closed yourself off from the rest of the family. Okay, I get that, but not me. I’m not just another member of your family. I’m your twin. We have a bond that goes much deeper than just family.”
Nathan blew out his breath. The raw edge in Joe’s voice cut as deep as any knife wound he’d received. “You’re right. I’m an asshole. I’m sorry. I know it’s not enough but I’m sorry. I was coping the best I could. It’s a sorry excuse but I wasn’t ready to share Shea with anyone. There were days I convinced myself she wasn’t real and that I was an idiot for clinging to the belief that she was. And when she asked for my help and I knew she was in serious trouble, I just couldn’t wait. I had to go. I had to. She risked everything to save me. I couldn’t stand by and allow anything to happen to her.”
Joe studied him in silence for a long moment. “She means that much to you.”
Nathan slowly nodded. “Yeah, she does. I don’t expect you to understand, but she and I have something that I can’t even explain. I need her. And now she needs me.”
Joe jammed his thumbs into the pockets of his jeans. “Don’t pull this shit again, man. Swear to God, I’ll kick your fucking ass, and I don’t give a shit what kind of shape you’re in. You need my help, you goddamn ask for it.”
Nathan pressed his lips together to keep from smiling. “I’m asking now.”
Joe punched him in the shoulder. “Okay then. That’s better. Now let’s get the fuck on the road so you can fill me in on everything. And I mean everything.”
“Not going to hug me?” Nathan mocked.
Joe gave him a look of disgust. “Garrett’s turned into an emotional wuss since he hooked up with Sarah. I’ll let him do all the mamby-pamby shit. Besides, what you need is a swift kick in the ass. If you want a hug, go see Ma.”
Nathan laughed and started toward the SUVs, where Shea waited with the others. Relief was so stark that his knees shook. He was back. God, he was back. Home. With his brothers.
There was no sweeter feeling in the world. It had been a hell of a long journey, most of it of his own doing, but he was back, and with each passing day, he was beginning to feel whole again.
CHAPTER 28
NATHAN slid into the SUV beside Shea and instantly pulled her close to his body. Not resisting, she turned just enough that she could curl into his side and rest her cheek on his shoulder.
He softly kissed her brow. “Tired?”
She nodded.
“How’s your shoulder feeling?”
“It was just a little cut. It doesn’t hurt at all. Barely enough to worry over putting a Band-Aid on.”
The driver’s door opened and Sam got in, glancing in the rearview mirror as he keyed the ignition.