《Her Craving, His Brother 》全部章節：第 41 章 - 第 50 章

Briggs’ POVI didn't say a word after that. Not when she goes quiet, and certainly not when she looks at me like she’s trying to figure something out she doesn’t want to admit. I just drive.Because anything I say now? She’ll fight it.And I’m not interested in forcing something she already walked into on her own. The car slows as I pull up in front of the apartment. Lights on, the gate half open.She doesn’t move immediately, neither do I. Then, I see Clover standing outside already. Arms folded, watching the car like she’s been waiting.Lumi exhales quietly beside me, like she’s bracing herself, then she reaches for the handle and opens the door.The night air slips in, cool and sharp. She grabs her purse quickly, movements a little too fast, a little too controlled. I almost say something, almost. But before I can—Bang!The door slams shut, hard. I lean back slightly in my seat, a breath leaves me.“What an angry bird.”The words are quiet, more to myself than anything. But I don’

Briggs’ POVThe station doors slide shut behind us.Cold air hits my face, but it doesn’t do anything to stop the tension sitting heavy between me and my mother.She’s been talking, no, muttering under her breath. Sharp, clipped Spanish slipping out in fragments she doesn’t bother to finish. And I hate that.More than yelling, more than confrontation.“Mamá.” My voice comes low, steady.She doesn’t respond, she kept walking. Heels striking the pavement like she’s trying to crush something under them.“Mamá,” I repeat, this time in Spanish. “¿Qué pasa?”She stops, and slowly turns, eyes sharp.“What’s the problem?” I press, still in Spanish. “You’ve been muttering for minutes now.”She studies me, really studies me. Then let out a short breath.“You want me to talk,” she says, switching to English now, “so you can disappear again?”There it is.“Maybe I should,” she continues, voice tightening slightly, “Then, maybe wait another six or ten years before I see you again.”I exhale slowly

Lumi’s POVI stare at his message longer than I should.You.My fingers hover over the screen, heart doing something stupid, something I don’t like.I exhale slowly, then I type.Me: Wow. That’s a lot of pressure for one person.Three dots appear immediately. Briggs: You can handle it.A small smile tugs at my lips before I can stop it.I type again.Me: Confident.Briggs: Accurate.I shake my head lightly. Silence stretches for a few seconds.Briggs: Can I still see you tonight?My breath pauses, too easy. And that’s exactly why I shouldn’t say yes. I glance toward Clover, she’s distracted, scrolling. Then back to my phone.Me: I’m not around.A beat.Me: Went on a road trip with Clover.I pressed send, and then I waited, for one second, two…then a laughing emoji pops up.My brows pull together. Another message drops.Briggs: Interesting.A pause from him, then: Briggs: Because I can see your car.My heart skips. What?Briggs: Parkway.My breath stills.Briggs: And your

Briggs’ POVDamn.I lean back in the seat slightly, running a hand over my jaw.“Guess I was that distracted,” I mutter.Lumi shoots me a look.“That distracted?” she repeats, arms folded now.I glance at her, she’s trying to look annoyed. Trying to hold onto it, but there’s still heat in her eyes, something unsettled.And that? That’s not helping the situation.“Relax,” I say calmly. “We’re fine.”“We’re stuck in a marsh,” she snaps. “Nothing about this says fine.”I almost smile. Instead, I reach for my phone. Because this is manageable, what’s not manageable is everything else waiting outside this moment.I dial, Riki picks up on the first ring.“I thought you said you were coming to the hospital,” he says immediately. “The girl actually ran away—she’s nowhere to be found. We’re still looking—”I exhale slowly.“That’s not why I called.”A pause from his end, then:“…What?”“I’ve got a situation.”“Of course you do.”“My car is in a marsh.”Silence, then:“I’m sorry, what?”I glan

Briggs’ POVThe engine roars louder than it should. Or maybe it just sounds that way because I’m pushing it harder than I need to.Red light, I don’t slow down.My hand tightens on the steering wheel as I cut through the intersection, the city blurring past in streaks of light.“Stay on the phone.”Her breathing is faint on the other end, uneven. “I’m here,” she whispers.That that tone settles something dark in my chest. Because Lumi doesn’t sound like that. She argues, pushes, fights.She doesn’t whisper my name like she’s trying not to be heard.“Where are you?” I ask.“Living room,” she says. “Clover’s here.”Good. My grip tightens.“Don’t move,” I say.“I’m not—”My jaw locks, that’s all it takes. I push the car faster, too fast for the road, not fast enough for me. The city disappears behind me, all that’s left is distance.And the sound of her breathing in my ear.“Still there?” I ask.“Yes.”Another sound, the handle again with more force this time. Then silence, I didn’t lik