My Brother Adrian Lutton Novels & Stories

I winked at him and mouthed the words silently, “Welcome home, dear brother.” The corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. Without a word, he followed the police away. I stared at his straight-backed figure, suddenly tugging irritably at my tie. Why did losing still look so dignified on him? Why couldn’t he just beg me? … I figured once Leon was locked away, Danny wouldn’t bother keeping up the act. He’d stop seeing me as a useless pawn and start getting reckless. At Tony’s apartment, his fingers traced the rim of his wine glass, but his eyes never left my slightly flushed face.

"Perhaps we table this and proceed with quarterly review?" Nods around the grid. Greg agrees last, smile fixed but eyes cold. The meeting continues. Slides. Timelines. Questions I answer while my mind spins. Greg's been waiting for this. Waiting for Adrian to prove emotional investments fail. During break, I mute my mic. Turn to Adrian. "Your brother just saved my company." "I noticed." His voice is tight. "You don't sound happy about it." "I'm processing." "What's there to process? He helped me."

“Even knowing the alliances we’re trying to lock down? The fallout?” “Even then. He’s my brother. I can’t lose him.” He went quiet for a beat. Then a small, real smile tugged at his mouth. “What?” “That’s exactly what I’d do. Family over politics every time.” He leaned in and kissed my forehead. “You’re gonna be one hell of a Luna.” “Even after scaring you half to death?” “Especially because of that. You lead with your heart. You put the people you love first. That’s what this pack actually needs.”

The whole members began to disperse out of the room, some murmuring. He stood, buttoning his suit. “I have somewhere to be.” Damion’s eyes narrowed as Adrian turned toward the door. Then, at the last second, he called out, “Adrian.” His brother paused. Damion’s voice was lower now. “How have you been?” Adrian slowly turned, his expression unreadable. Then, with a cold smirk, he said, “Never been better.” And with that, he walked out. Damion watched him go, his jaw tightening. This was only the beginning. And the real battle was yet to come.

What happened to his sister was tragic, yes—but that didn’t give him the right to destroy the lives of everyone else around him. What broke me most was the pain in Adrian’s voice when he told me. He acted like he didn’t care, but I knew. His best friend—his brother—hadn’t even given him the benefit of the doubt before jumping to conclusions. I tried talking to Adrian about it. About Lucian. But he always changed the subject. When I asked about the war between them, he didn’t say much. I believed Lucian might have stopped on his end. But Adrian wouldn’t. Not now. Not after this.

He was shirtless. He sped toward Elder Xan, who was busy sinking his fangs into the neck of the trumpet player he had overpowered. Adrian grabbed Xan and slammed him against the wall with brutal force. The wall cracked on impact. Xan crumpled to the ground, unconscious, as Adrian released him. “In my office in twenty minutes,” Adrian said as he walked past me and headed for the exit. Medics came running toward the wounded. I helped support the injured men, but they couldn’t save the trumpet player. He passed away a few minutes after they arrived.

“I did.” “Who?” Nathan opened the box. Inside were several documents, an old key, and a photograph. He picked up the photograph. Eva immediately recognized Richard. Beside him stood a younger man. Adrian stared at the image. His face changed. “That's my uncle.” Eva looked at him. “Who?” “Thomas Blackwood.” Nathan nodded. “Adrian's father's younger brother.” Adrian took the photograph. “I was told he died before I was born.”

"I trust the Prince has no wish to make an enemy of the North. Don't you agree?" Lucien spoke slowly, unhurried, and every word struck Adrian where it hurt. "I hear you have a younger brother, grown now. Lately he secured a new trade route into the human world, and your father's praised him more than once." By the time Lucien finished, Adrian had drawn his hand back. He didn't reach for the brooch again. This man had brought ill-tempered Adrian to heel in a handful of sentences. It was such a novel thing that I couldn't help looking up at his face.

“Who was the father?” She looked at him. “Your father.” Silence. Adrian's eyes widened. “So Lily was my half-sister.” “Yes.” “And she had a son.” “Yes.” “Which makes him…” “Your nephew.” Adrian looked toward Daniel. The boy was listening. Amelia whispered, “Then why did you call him your brother?” Her mother looked at Adrian. “Because Richard didn't want him to know the truth.” Adrian frowned. “What truth?” “That he wasn't Richard's son.”

That fucker looked like an actual person. “Riri,” he remarked gently, and I almost fell back into my chair. Adrian blushed. Am I… dreaming…? “I heard you’ve been working hard. Good job, kid,” Leon, big brother Leon, stated encouragingly. Adrian grinned at his elder brother. I gazed between them, keeping my expression neutral. Leon was fourteen years older than Adrian, and it showed. There was no fear between them. No doubts. Their brotherly affection was palpable, and it was making me sick.