Dane

He became aware of himself, but not his surroundings first. A groggy, sick feeling that had him rolling over, searching for Lila's warmth. But it wasn't there. He sank back into sleep before he could form the question.

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Then he woke again, still drowsy, but able to open his eyes. The light coming through the window was bright. Afternoon daylight bright. He blinked, but his eyes ached and he had to close them again. There was movement behind him, but before he could turn over, he'd dropped back into sleep again.

He didn't know what time it was when he finally opened his eyes, this time with his back to the window. He blinked several times, his vision blurred at first. But it cleared with each blink, and then when he rubbed them.

He heard a soft sigh to his left and tensed.

He was in his father's building.

Lila was gone.

Chris had gotten in.

He sat bolt upright, but had to hold his head because it spun so badly.

"Careful, you ate too much for one. I'm surprised you didn't throw up and choke yourself in your sleep," The voice was deep and pleasant, and sent chills down his spine.

Still squinting against the light, he peered as his father past the palm of his hand still holding his forehead. "What happened?"

"Oh, come on now, Dane. I thought we were past the games."

"I'm not… where's Lila."

"She's with your brother. You know that. Though I understand she's in the hospital. Seems that someone squeezed her peaches a little too hard and broke her rib and she was bleeding internally. Honestly, son. You don't know your own strength."

"I… what?!"

His father sat in that awful plastic chair, one ankle on the other knee, staring at Dane. No smile, but he wasn't looking cold either. He was just… there. "I said, you were the brute who squeezed her sore rib too hard and snapped it. I guess we cracked it earlier, but still. Shame on you. She could have died."

Dane bit back the curse and forced himself not to leap for his father's throat.

"I have to say, I'm impressed, son. You've worked hard on your self-control. It was always your greatest downfall, losing your temper at the drop of a hat. You'll be a much bigger asset to me now that you can keep yourself in check."

Then he smiled.

Dane stifled a shudder. "Why aren't you angry? Chris was here. He got her out. Or did you let him do it—another one of your games?"

His father leaned forward a strange light in his eyes. "The one playing games is your brother," he said softly.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean... Chris works for me. He has for some time now." Then he sat back, watching Dane intently.

Dane blinked and let the information, the confirmation sink in. Holy shit. Holy fucking shit. He stared at his father's face and there wasn't an ounce of tension in him. He was intent on measuring Dane's reaction, not in controlling his own.

Motherfucker!

Dane kept himself on a tight leash. He'd had concerns. He'd had theories. But it had only been the past few days that he'd really let himself think… plan… for this. His brother…

The sense of betrayal was a blade in his chest. He'd spent his whole life trying to keep Chris safe—keeping his father's attention away from Chris even when they were kids. Taking more beatings himself to keep Chris safe.

"You promised me she would get out of here safely," Dane snarled.

His father waited, then raised one eyebrow. "That's it? Wow. Either your control is even better than I thought, or you already suspected. And yet, you let him take her out of here yesterday…"

"You promised, dad!"

"I haven't forgotten my promise, Dane. She got out of here safely. She got out of here without any further harm to her person—except what you inflicted on her. But I also promised you two other things. Do you remember what they were?"

Dane just stared at him until he raised his eyebrows and continued.

"I promised you that I wasn't letting her go until I was certain you were staying here. Now she's out there, and you're in here, and now you know that I have a man on her. A very capable, very strong man that she trusts—because you told her to. So you know if you slip away, I've got someone at her throat within seconds. And he'll help me fulfill my other promise, too," he said, then waited.

"What's that?" Dane asked finally, his voice deep and husky with lack of use.

"I promised you that when she left, she'd be leaving you, not me." His father smiled. "I will miss seeing her reaction myself, but I realized this was a much better way. Because, just like I said, I will be certain you have no options, Dane. No hope. Not only from Lila, but from others as well." He sighed and looked like he was genuinely pleased. "As long as you stay here with me, and do what I say, I will protect you—you need fear nothing. But the minute—the second you so much as think about backstabbing me, or fleeing… I'll have her killed."

Dane's jaw ached because he ground his teeth.

Then his father stood and walked to stand in front of him, leaning down so they were nose to nose. "But I really hope you don't force me to do that," he said. "You see, Chris and I have… a bond. And it turns out, he really likes your wife. Did you know that, Dane? He really likes her. So, don't worry, he's going to take very good care of her. The very best. Because as her love for you grows cold, she'll need comfort. And reassurance. And Chris is more than prepared to give her anything she needs. Anything at all."

He patted Dane's face and left the room.