The price of a brother

Kael did not let Rowan go alone.

He made that clear before Rowan had even reached the front door of the safe house. One hand closed

around Rowan’s wrist, not hard enough to hurt, but firmly enough to stop him.

“You are not walking into Elena’s hands without me.”

“Lucien is your brother.”

“I know who he is.”

“Then you should understand why I have to go.”

Kael’s expression tightened. He looked exhausted, though he would rather have swallowed glass than

admit it. There was a faint cut near his hairline from the previous night, and his shirt was still stained

where Rowan had pressed a cloth against his shoulder. He had refused to let Marcus take him to a doctor

until they knew where Lucien was being held.

“I understand,” Kael said. “I also understand that Elena wants you because she knows I will come

after you. She is counting on me making a mistake.”

“Then don’t make one.”

A humourless smile touched his mouth. “You make it sound so easy.”

Rowan pulled his wrist free. “You don't get to decide that my life is worth more than your brother’s.”

“And you don't get to decide that yours is worth less.”

For a moment, neither spoke. The safe house hummed around them, all locked doors and silent

security cameras. Rowan hated it. He hated the way every room seemed designed for a person waiting to

be attacked.

Marcus entered carrying a tablet. “We have a location.”

Kael turned. “Where?”

“An old Voss property near the river. The club closed three years ago, but the basement is still

powered. We picked up a signal from Lucien’s phone.”

“Alive?” Rowan asked.

“His phone is moving,” Marcus replied. “That’s all I can confirm.”

Kael took the tablet and studied the map. Rowan watched his face change, the cold calculation

settling over him like armour.

“We go in quietly,” Kael said. “No convoy. No unnecessary men. Marcus, take the east entrance and

cut the power once we’re inside.”

“And me?” Rowan asked.

“You stay in the car.”

“No.”

“Rowan.”

“I’m not a parcel you can leave somewhere safe.”

“You are the reason they’re holding him.”

“And I’m the reason they might let him go.”

Kael looked as if he wanted to argue until the walls came down. Instead, he stepped closer, lowering

his voice. “If anything happens to you, I will not be able to think clearly.”

The admission caught Rowan off guard. It was not a threat or an order. It sounded like fear.

He touched the edge of Kael’s injured shoulder. “Then stay close.”

Kael covered his hand with his own. “Always.”

The old club stood beside the river, its windows boarded and its sign stripped away. Rain had left the

pavement slick, and the smell of wet concrete followed them through a service entrance. Marcus moved

ahead with two men. Kael kept Rowan behind him, but Rowan could see the tension in his shoulders.

They found Lucien in a storage room beneath the main floor. His hands were tied to a metal chair, his

lower lip split, and one eye swollen. He still managed a crooked smile when Kael stepped inside.

“You took your time.”

Kael crossed the room and cut the restraints. “You look terrible.”

“Thank you. I was hoping you’d notice.”

Rowan crouched beside him. “Can you stand?”

“Depends. Are you planning to carry me?”

“Don't tempt me.”

Lucien laughed, then winced. Kael’s expression softened for the briefest second as he checked his

brother’s injuries.

A sound came from the corridor.

Marcus appeared at the doorway. “We have company.”

Kael drew his weapon. “Get them out.”

The next moments were noise and movement, but not the drawn-out battle Rowan had expected.

Marcus had already disabled the building’s power. Emergency lights blinked red along the corridor, and

the men who came through the rear entrance were met by Kael’s security team.

Rowan helped Lucien toward the stairs. At the landing, Lucien caught his arm.

“Did she tell you?” he whispered.

“Tell me what?”

Lucien glanced past him at Kael. “Ask him what happened the night his father disappeared.”

Before Rowan could press him, Kael reached them. “We’re leaving.”

Outside, the rain had stopped. Lucien was helped into the vehicle, and Kael stood with Rowan beside

the open door.

“What was he talking about?” Rowan asked.

“Lucien is injured. He’s confused.”

“He knew exactly what he was saying.”

Kael’s jaw worked. “Not here.”

Rowan studied him. The answer was not a denial, and that frightened him more than anything Elena

could have said.

On the drive back, Kael sat beside him in silence. Their hands rested close together on the seat, not

touching. Rowan finally moved his fingers until they brushed Kael’s.

Kael looked down, then turned his palm upward.

It was a small gesture. A quiet one. But Rowan placed his hand in it and held on.

For now, that was all either of them could offer.