Breathless (Steel Brothers Saga #10)(26)

The guys were talking, mostly Joe and Ryan, but every once in a while, Bryce piped in. I went back in time in my mind once more. Bryce used to be nearly as jovial as my brother Ryan. When I was a kid, he was always smiling and laughing. He’d been good for Joe, who was on the quieter side. Though I was too young to remember, apparently Joe had been as boisterous as Bryce before Talon had been taken. Bryce must have done a lot to pull Joe out of his funk during that difficult time. Of course, no one but the family, excluding me, even knew Talon had been taken. Had Joe confided in Bryce? I had no idea. They were as close as two men could be, as close as Jade and I were. I would have told Jade everything, but perhaps male friendships were different.

I’d had my own issues with my brothers over them not telling me about Talon until last year. Sure, they were trying to protect me, but I was far from a shrinking violet. I hoped I’d proved that by now.

I certainly harbored my own guilt. Talon’s abduction had been orchestrated by Ryan’s birth mother, a crazy bitch who’d been obsessed with my father. The reason? Finding out my mother was pregnant with me.

But for me, my brother wouldn’t have gone through hell.

No, I didn’t blame myself, not objectively at least. But I had at first, and I possessed the scars to prove it. Several talks with both Jade and Melanie had helped me see the truth, but still a smidge of guilt remained. It would always be there.

It was a part of me, just like Joe’s guilt would always be a part of him.

I had to learn to live with it. Assisting with Talon’s family was helping. I’d grown to love Dale and Donny, and Jade was my all-time bestie. Plus, I was getting to know my middle brother. He’d always been elusive, having been gone so long with the military. I’d always been closer to Joe and Ryan.

Maybe I’d tell Bryce about my feelings of guilt. If I had the chance, that was. He didn’t seem to want anything to do with me now.

But again, he’d been so vibrant before. Even if Bryce had known about Talon when he was younger, he certainly hadn’t known of his father’s involvement. None of us had.

I finished up the Canadian bacon and slapped it on the full plates. I turned and forced a smile. “It’s ready.” I brought two plates over and set them in front of Joe and Bryce.

Ryan lifted his brow.

“I only have two hands, Ry. Sheesh.” I brought him his plate.

“Just kidding, Sis. But why do those two bozos rate higher than I do?”

“They were closer,” I said, forcing my smile again. “I made another pot of coffee.”

Joe held up his cup. “I’ll take a hot topper.”

Then Bryce stood. “I’ll get the coffee. I’m sure Marj has other things she’d rather be doing than feeding us.”

Ryan laughed. “Are you kidding? She lives to feed people.”

“Right,” I said, again with the forced smile. My brother was teasing, of course, but his words irked me. “Thanks, Bryce. I do have some things to do.” I walked swiftly out of the kitchen.

In truth, I didn’t have much on my plate today, but I relished the chance to escape. With Felicia gone, I was also doing the laundry, but I’d just completed it two days prior. We’d hired the rest of the housework out to a maid service that came once a week, which worked fine for me. I was an atrocious housekeeper.

Since Jade was still at the hospital and the boys were at school, I was off the clock for now. Though I was tempted to curl up with a good book and escape thoughts of Bryce Simpson, I decided instead to go into town. I’d take Jade’s advice and get back to the gym. I hadn’t gained any weight, but I was getting a little soft. Ryan’s wife, Ruby, had given me some pointers for my workouts. That woman had an amazing body, all toned and muscled but still beautifully feminine. In fact, maybe I’d give her a call and see if she wanted to accompany me. She’d quit the police force when they wouldn’t give her time off to go after her father, and though she was toying with opening up a PI business, she hadn’t yet. For now, she was helping Ry with the wine business.

I quickly dialed her cell, but she answered with a text that she was tied up in a meeting all morning. So much for that idea.

Off to the gym by myself, then. I grabbed my workout bag and headed out.





Holy smokes, was I out of shape! A half hour on the elliptical about did me in. I showered quickly, and changed, and then went next door to get a raspberry smoothie. I sat down at a small table and checked my phone, trying not to think about Bryce.

I wasn’t having much luck, until—

“Marjorie.”

A voice I recognized. I looked up. Colin Morse, Jade’s ex-fiancé, who I’d known since college, stood at the opposite end of my small table.

I swallowed. I had no idea what to say.

“Mind if I sit down?” he asked.

“Sure. Go ahead.” I avoided his gaze.

Colin had been held captive, tortured, and raped by Bryce’s father, Tom Simpson. Joe had rescued him, but Colin’s father, instead of being grateful, had threatened Joe with criminal charges, saying Colin was ready to name Joe as his captor.

Joe didn’t bite, however, and Colin came clean.

He hadn’t deserved his fate, but I was still pissed he was ready to blame my brother. Plus, he’d left Jade humiliated at the altar. I couldn’t turn him away, though. I’d never turn away a rape victim.