Hunting Her Box Set

“Like I said, that’s the best part.” He steps forward, holding out his hand. “I’ll teach you a trick or two.”

“And I’ll appreciate the insight.” I reach for him, holding his gaze as our palms clasp.

We won’t co

This will be the last shake.

The final goodbye.

I sink into the moment, letting the taint of his atrocities build my conviction. I recount all the betrayal he tried to hide, all the lies he used to cover the bullshit he caused.

Then it’s over, his grip falling from mine to make way for progress.

I turn my focus to Tobias and crouch. “Goodbye, little brother.” I hold out my hand, needing him to make the co

Instead, he shrinks into himself. Those tiny arms cling tight to my father’s leg. His wide, petrified eyes start their own attack, beating into me with force, slamming my conscience.

I’m sure he knows what I’m about to do. Call it a sixth sense or sibling intuition, but this terrified child is looking back at me with so much fucking fear I can barely think through the building guilt.

“Come on, little man.” I use all my strength to add humor to my tone. “You don’t want to shake your brother’s hand?”

I detest the sound of my own voice. I fucking hate it. I’m trying to coax a kid into a nightmare. My own fucking brother.

“Tobias,” Luther snaps.

The kid jumps.

“No.” I hold up a hand. “Don’t push him.”

Don’t. Fucking. Push.

Goddammit.

Those eyes tell me he’s already been through enough. Not just today, but every day since his birth. I can’t add to his trauma. I fucking can’t.

Not tonight.

“Is everything okay, Cole?”

I clench my teeth at my father’s question. Every inch of me revolts in repulsion, not at him, but at myself. I’ve become a plague on my family.

A pathetic curse.

A fucking failure.

“I’m sorry.” I can’t stop the words from grating as I hang my head. “I guess the shock of having a brother has finally hit me.”

“Don’t apologize.” Luther steps forward, clasps my shoulder, and gives a squeeze. His comfort is the worst punishment I’ve ever endured. It’s hell on earth. Fucking purgatory. “Family is everything, son.”