Page 19 of Forever Found

“You should,” I sighed.

“You’re really fucking good at what you do, Kane. Don’t doubt that. Leo fucked us over and we missed it, but neither of us will ever let that happen again.”

“No, we won’t,” I agreed easily. “How the fuck did Eli get the both of them out, Asher? Was it just luck?”

“I don’t know everything. Eli was too worried about Addy to explain, but I’m guessing he fought his way out judging by his bruised knuckles.”

“Eli?” I snapped my eyes to Asher, surprised and taken aback.

Asher chuckled as he turned to face me. “Everyone underestimates my brother. They think because he’s the quieter one who enjoys painting and has no fear of sharing his emotions, that he’s weak. That’s what our father always thought, and toldEli repeatedly, but Eli has a rod of strength in him. He took everything our father threw at him and he used it to make himself tougher and stronger.”

“But the way you protect him…” I began, but Asher cut me off.

“I protect Eli because he’s been through enough. I protect him because I never want anyone to berate or bully him the way our father did. I protect him so he never has to become as cold and hard as I had to become. I failed him when he was a kid. I refuse to fail him now, so I coddle him. I wrap him up in cotton wool and keep him close because I never ever want to fail him again, but I did. I failed the both of them, and Addy and Eli were taken because of it. In my terror and rage to get them back, I forgot just how capable my brother is. I should have known he’d be the one to bring Addy back to us all.”

“No, I get that, Asher. I know Eli’s stronger than he seems. I’ve seen the strength within him more than once, but it’s an inner strength, right? He’s not a fighter. Can he even fire a gun?”

“No. I don’t believe he’d ever want to either. He doesn’t like violence after the way our father treated us when we were kids, but that doesn’t mean he can’t look after himself.

“He and Jordan started Karate classes when they were six. Jordan wanted to do it, of course. Eli hated the idea, but like everything with those two, they went together anyway. They always did everything together, especially when they were younger. By the time they were thirteen, they were both black belts. Jordan had discovered football by then though, so he stopped attending the classes and joined the football team. Eli didn’t. He seemed to love martial arts. I think more than anything he liked knowing our father couldn’t physically hurt him any longer. Eli had proven that when he was twelve andhe flipped our father to the floor when the old bastard grabbed him.”

“So he continued?” I asked, completely shocked at the revelation. I knew Eli was in shape, but I also knew he favored swimming as his exercise. I had no idea he did anything else, especially not martial arts.

“Yeah, he did. He started going to kick boxing classes too. When I got my trust fund, I hired an ex-MMA professional to train him. He was good. The guy I hired wanted to take him professional, but Eli wasn’t interested in that. I think he loved it because he knew he could always protect himself. He had no interest in getting into fights for no cause.” Asher went on.

“Shit. He could probably take me down,” I realized.

“Likely. He has taken me down a few times. He’s fast, and sneaky. That day he was almost taken from the parking lot by those fuckers who wanted to ransom him, he already had one of them down by the time I arrived. If they hadn’t have had a gun on him, he’d have taken them all out.”

“Fuck. How did I not know this?”

“Eli doesn’t talk about it. He hates the idea of putting his hands on anyone in violence, and he absolutely would never use the skills he has, unless he had to,” he said firmly.

“Like protecting Addy?”

“Exactly. I know he’d do anything to protect her, as would I, but Eli, he hesitates when it’s only his life at stake. That’s why I wanted security on him anyway. I fear he’ll hesitate to do what needs to be done if anyone ever tries to hurt him again, and I can’t risk that. I can’t lose him. I can’t lose either of them,” he concluded as he looked to Addy lovingly.

“We’re not losing anyone. We’re gonna get through this, brother, and we’re going to keep everyone we care about safe in the process.” I promised and I meant it with every cell in my body.

“We need to take Kline down. I won’t let him hurt Addy again.”

“We will. You taking off that mask you’ve been wearing since you dragged my ass out of the gutter? You gonna be the man I knew overseas? The man you need to be, if we really are going to get this fucking mess over and done with?” I asked plainly.

“I’m going to be whoever the hell I need to be to make sure all of my family get the peace and happiness they deserve, including you, Kane,” Asher replied with so much determination and surety it took me aback. He meant business. The gloves were off, and I was determined to be right there at his side, every step of the way.

CHAPTER 8

ADDY

I woke up with a groan of pain. My neck was aching from the position I had been laid in, but that was nothing compared to the full thrash metal band that seemed to be playing in my head constantly. I could feel my heartbeat throughout my skull and opening my eyes only made the pain worse. I pushed through it, remembering instantly where I was and looking to where I had left Eli, with panic.

It had terrified me when he went to sleep before. Last time I had left him to sleep, he had almost slipped away from me and I didn’t want that to happen again. Kane and Asher had assured me he was safe to sleep now, and that he would be fine, but I hadn’t wanted to take my eyes from him. Obviously, I had, since the room was filled with daylight now and Eli was wide awake. I’d slept I realized, for quite a while too, apparently.

“Angel?” Kane said at my sudden movement to get eyes on my brother.

“He’s fine, sweetheart. Slow down. Eli’s absolutely fine,” Asher soothed me from where he sat on a hard chair, between the beds Eli and I were laid on. Well, I was lying more on top of Kane really.

“Easy, Addy. Everyone’s okay. Eli’s feeling much better this morning, and I spoke with Jordan last night too. Adam’s out ofdanger and out of the I.C.U. Jordan was tired, but I sent him home to rest, and they both have security with them. We’re all good.” I forced in a deep breath and allowed my stiff, aching body to relax a little. Everyone I cared about was safe. That was enough. That was all I truly needed.