Deadly Silence (Blood Brothers #1)(110)

Ryker threaded his fingers through Zara’s. “You okay, baby?” He should’ve asked that first thing.

She smiled, her pretty face still bruised but her eyes clear and sparkling. “I’m fine.”

“Greg?” Ryker asked.

Greg grinned. “I landed on you, dude. I’m great.”

Kids. Ryker studied Matt. “You’re fine.”

“Yep.”

Wait a minute. “Where’s—”

Matt kept his gaze. “Your Cisco offices and apartments are busted. Madison and Cobb know where they are, so you have to relocate.”

“Madison lost more than half her Protect troops in the little battle we just fought,” Ryker said evenly. “We had to have taken out some of her personal soldiers, too.”

“Yep, but that doesn’t mean she won’t keep coming. And she’s with Sheriff Cobb, so you have to vacate, brother.” Matt eyed the softly falling snow outside. “We’re the only ones left here. Our brothers went to move all of your stuff to a different location. Probably Montana.”

“No.” Ryker stood. “Not Montana. Not now.”

Matt’s jaw clenched. “We’ll talk about it later.”

The whir of helicopter rotors broke through the storm.

Greg paled. “They’re here. My brothers. Um.”

Ryker crossed the room to stand by the kid, taking Zara with him. “I’m taking it you called your brothers.”

“Yes,” Greg whispered. “Matt called them, and they jumped on another helicopter.”

Ryker held him close. “They’ll be so happy to see you.” He eyed Matt. “What’s the plan?”

Matt rubbed his chin. “We told the kids. Couldn’t keep it a secret. So as soon as they arrive…”

Greg moved toward the wide patio doors, and Ryker stopped him with a hand on the shoulder. “Reunion happens inside, Greg. Just wait a couple of minutes.”

Matt nodded. “I think the place is secure, but I agree. We all stay contained inside while we’re here.”

“It’s my fault,” Greg whispered, his gaze wide on the doors.

Ryker frowned. “What’s your fault?”

“Failing on the mission. Getting left behind.” Greg’s voice cracked. “Having them think I’m dead. It’s my fault.”

“No,” Matt said softly. “It was the commander and Dr. Madison’s fault. Not yours. Your brothers won’t blame you.”

The pain radiating from the kid dug deep under Ryker’s skin, and he moved closer to provide a shield, just in case.

“They should blame me,” Greg said, his lips twisting in fear.

Snow scattered outside, and a helicopter dropped onto the field. A second later, the back door slid open, and a large kid leaped out into the snow and ran straight for the deck.

Greg breathed out heavily.

The door burst open, and the kid stood there, gray eyes, black hair, rigid jaw. His hands were clenched, and his chest heaved. He looked just like Matt. He stared at Greg. “Greg?” he whispered.

“Chance.” Tears filled Greg’s eyes.

Then they moved. Both kids leaped across furniture, catching each other like two bucks clashing horns. A table lamp smashed to the wood floor, scattering shards of glass.

“You’re not dead.” Chance laughed even while tears flowed down his hard face. “Shit, man, you’re not dead.” He hugged his brother. “God. Wade and Kyle.” He turned, and two other boys ran into them, knocking them all over the couch onto the coffee table, which crashed down.

There was a flurry of hugs, laughs, and lots of tears, and more broken furniture.

Ryker grinned even as tears pricked the backs of his eyes.

“Should we help them?” Zara asked, her face wet, staring at all the broken glass.

Ryker shook his head. “Not in a million years. Let them break everything.”

Two more men loped inside and stood next to Matt. Ryker’s breath caught, and he studied them.

“Whoa,” Zara whispered. “The second guy could be your twin.”

Ryker nodded.

Matt cleared his throat. “Ryker? Meet Shane and Nate.”

Nate. Ryker and Nate had very similar bone structure. Did they share genetic material? He moved across the room, taking Zara with him, and held out a hand.

Nate grinned and yanked him in for a hug. These guys sure liked to hug.

Ryker turned and nodded at Shane before peering closer. “Heath has the same birthmark below his left ear,” he muttered.

Shane paled. “I need to track him down, then.”

The enormity of Dr. Madison’s experiments dropped onto Ryker’s shoulders, and he steeled himself for a moment. How far had her studies gone?

It took nearly two hours and seven pizzas to calm everyone down and catch everyone up on Greg’s life, Ryker’s life, and the rest.

Finally, the boys headed for a bunk bed loft upstairs, and Zara excused herself for the master bedroom.

Ryker found himself in front of a crackling fire, bourbon in his hand, facing three men who could relate to his creation and past. “So,” he said.

Nate just looked at him. “You sure are good looking.”

Matt snorted.

Nate cleared his throat. “Ah, just to catch you up a little since there seems to be no doubt we’re genetically linked. I married Dr. Madison’s daughter, and she’s pregnant.”