SafetyInNumbers-Final (2 page)

“Yeah?”

“I get real busy sometimes. Like, most of the time.” Liam stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked down. “Between school, my part-time job, football and…yeah, the schedule is crazy. But, you know, if you need me, find me. If something’s going on…well, brothers, they stick together, right?”

Chris nodded readily. “Bros stick together no matter what.”

One of Liam’s relatives called him over and he waved absently. “Guess I gotta make the rounds.” Chris nodded again and watched him start to walk away. Liam only took a few steps before he turned and looked at him seriously. “Bros no matter what?”

“No matter what,” Chris assured and felt that promise take root inside him.

“Word.” Liam walked away humming the theme song to
Step by Step
and Chris couldn’t help but smile.

He heard his mother’s laughter from across the room and looked over to see Mr. Ellis dip her as the song came to an end. They were both smiling from ear to ear and Chris couldn’t be happier for them or himself. Like Liam, he used to bug his parents for a brother. It took a while, but it seemed like all their dreams were finally coming true.

November 24, 2011 - Owen

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Billy grabbed his arm before he could get out of the car and Owen felt more than saw the slight tremble in his friend’s hand. It wasn’t like the former gang banger to show even a hint of nerves, and Owen had to admit that since his release from prison, Billy had been floundering. The ruthless man he’d relied on to survive knew two things: gang life and prison. Somehow, he’d gotten comfortable in the vicious cycle and without either to fall back on, he had no idea who he was. It was almost like watching an addict go through withdrawal, and Owen knew if Billy didn’t see how much support he had in this new life, he would succumb to the false promises of the old life.

Being the strong one wasn’t where Owen felt comfortable and, truth be told, he wasn’t exactly confident about the afternoon either, but he needed to do this for both of them. Since his own release from prison, his siblings had been doing their best to bring him back into the fold and he hadn’t made it easy. His gratitude for what Bull and Kieran had done didn’t erase the years of anger he had toward his brother, no matter how misplaced that anger was. The impact wasn’t just on him and Bull, but on his sisters and brother-in-law, and he was done being the one to hurt his family. So, was it a good idea? Yes. It wasn’t going to be easy, but he really believed it would be beneficial to both him and Billy.

“It’s Thanksgiving, Billy, and we have a lot to be thankful for. We’re alive, we’re free, and thanks to Bull and Kieran we have a chance to start over. For me, that means repairing the bridges I’ve burned, and as terrified as I am, I have to try.” Owen took the hand that had been preventing him from exiting the car in both of his. Billy had fulfilled a lot of roles in his life—protector, advisor, friend, and momentary lover. If there was anyone he wanted at his side today as he took the first real step in reconnecting with his family, it was this man who had become more of a brother to him than his own. Again, not Bull’s fault, but the fact remained that he felt closer to Billy than anyone. “The invitation came from Maddie, not me, so don’t think for a second that I pushed my family to include you. They genuinely like you.”

“Why?” The total confusion on Billy’s face was understandable. He also hadn’t made it easy on Bull, arguing every step of the way from the moment Kieran reopened his case to the day Bull offered him a home at the newly minted Fork in the Road halfway house and a job in his garage. Why either man continued to put in the effort was beyond them both, but it was time for them to step up and show their gratitude.

“I don’t even know why they like me and I really wish I did because, seriously, my brother should have wiped his hands of me years ago.” Owen flinched when the last bits of color leached out of Billy’s face. He knew Billy’s family had done just that after years of begging him to quit the gang life and watching him repeatedly go to jail. Billy claimed he understood that his mother had to focus on his brothers and Owen sort of did, but family was supposed to stick by you no matter what. His own had and he could only hope the Masons figured out a way to repair their own bridges. Until then, Billy would be an honorary Connor whether he liked it or not.

“This is important to you.” Billy wasn’t asking, but Owen nodded and he saw the firm resolve he’d come to expect from the man take hold. “You’re right. Bull and Kieran have done a lot for me. I don’t know that showing up to Thanksgiving extends my gratitude, but we do have a lot to be thankful for. If you think this is a good idea, then I’m with you.”

“It shows them that they are more than just a helping hand to us.” This much he understood. When he got out of jail, he was shocked to find out that his brother had opened a halfway house just to help him. Well, not just him, but it was inspired by him and that felt huge. Bull was already talking about making him an equal partner as soon as he felt ready, something Owen didn’t think would ever truly happen. But he didn’t want to let his brother down again so he’d have to find a way to fake it.

One thing he’d come to realize about his brother was that helping others was a mission and while the men who were going through the halfway house were grateful, their interactions were mostly with Jared. When they left, it would be Jared they thanked, his advice and support they would have relied on, and Bull would be nothing more than the name on the bottom of their paperwork. Not that he was doing it for the gratitude, or at least Owen didn’t think he was, but Bull deserved that gratitude from his brother. As for Billy, when Bull extended that helping hand further and offered him a job in his garage, something he hadn’t done for anyone else at the halfway house, it was a huge show of trust.

Being trusted was something Billy desperately needed, even Owen could see that, and he lived in fear of fucking up every day. It was part of why he was floundering, because he didn’t see how dependable, reliable, and trustworthy he was. Even in the gang, he was the one they could count on to do his job, never to snitch, and to take the fall without complaint. It didn’t matter that it was for the wrong people in the worst possible circumstances, at the heart of it Billy was steadfast to the core. If he could learn to trust himself to make the right decisions, choose the right people to support under worthwhile circumstances, he’d be a force to be reckoned with.

Owen looked at Maddie and Kieran’s house and knew these were the right people under the right circumstances. The issues he had were of his own making, not his parents or his siblings, and they were the perfect people to give Billy purpose. “I know I haven’t been the reliable one in this relationship, but I promise you that this is where we’re both supposed to be. We’re not the same men who went to prison and those people in there aren’t going to look at us like a couple of ex-cons. Not because I’m their brother, but because they are just good people with accepting hearts. I don’t want to let them down, do you?”

“No, I just...no, but that’s what I usually wind up doing.”

“That’s why we’re doing it together. Look, I know I was the last thing you were looking for in prison and taking care of me has been a full time job. I don’t have many ways to return that favor, but I can share my family with you.” Owen smiled at the immediate scowl on Billy’s face. He would deny it with his last breath, but Owen knew he’d clung like a leech to the man and that he’d taken so much more than he’d given. Before Billy could object, Owen leaned in and pressed a chaste kiss to that frowning mouth. It wasn’t sexual—they had already tried and discarded that as a potential part of their relationship. It was comfort, plain and simple.

“You’ve brought no end of trouble since you came into my life,” Billy grumbled even as he grabbed Owen by the back of the neck and brought him in close. With their foreheads pressed together, he could see the effort it took for Billy to come to terms with their new reality.

“I know.” Billy might have been joking, but Owen knew it was the truth. “Now let me bring you some peace.”

“Owen, you know I was teasing.” Billy hated when he put himself down and he really tried not to do it in front of him. It would be giving himself too much credit to say the he tried not to do it at all, but doing it for Billy felt more important than doing it for himself. “Whether I was looking for you or not, you’re really important to me.”

“No matter what happens, this friendship will be the one constant we can count on.” Owen felt that promise in his bones. They were rebuilding from scratch and even with the support of his estranged family, the task felt daunting at best. The only thing he was sure of was that he and Billy made a good team and if they held each other up, they’d have a better chance of surviving this new life they’d been given. Truth was, Billy was his first real friend and the only person to know everything about him—it was terrifying to think that they wouldn’t move forward together in some capacity.

“You’re right.” Billy kissed his forehead before pulling back. “You’re absolutely right. We’ve faced down killers together. We can handle family dinner.”

They stepped from the car and looked up at the house together. It was quaint and welcoming, and the sound of laughter and football spilled from the open front windows, drawing them closer. At the door, all of his bravado deserted him and Owen hesitated in uncertainty. Was he supposed to knock or was he allowed to just walk in?

“I’ve only been here a few times since my release and always with Bull,” Owen admitted quietly. He’d only recently completed his six months at the halfway house and gotten his license back, along with the condo his brother helped him buy. “I’m not sure what to do.”

Billy took the decision out of his hands and rang the bell. “That always works.”

The front door opened quickly, as if his sister was standing just on the other side waiting for their knock. Considering how long they sat in the car it was entirely possible. “It’s about time you guys came in. Do you know how hard it was to keep the animals away from the appetizers?”

She ushered them in, pulled them each into a bone-crushing hug, and waved them toward the living room with a not-so-subtle rebuke. “That door’s always open to both of you. Next time you ring my bell, I’m gonna leave you standing on the stoop.”

As she headed off toward the kitchen, Billy turned wide eyes to him and asked, “Is she always like that?”

Owen could only laugh and slap his friend on the back. Being an honorary Connor was going to rock Billy’s world and Owen was glad he had a ringside seat for it. “Welcome to the family.”

Chapter 1

August 10, 2015 – Liam

Liam pushed open the fire door and searched the rooftop for his brother. After a long, crappy day at the garage, it didn’t take a high IQ to know where Chris would be. It was their anniversary, after all. Eight years as brothers who stuck together no matter what. They had been so naïve when they made that promise, just foolish teens who recognized a kindred spirit in each other. There was no way they could have known how important that connection would become, but most days it was the only thing he had to hold on to.

Back then, Chris had been shorter than him by a few inches and going through that awkward, gangly period that normally preceded a growth spurt. Now he was a beast. Few could keep up with him in the gym and only fools tried. Liam thought he knew why, thought he understood that Chris refused to be a victim again. If that meant Chris had to make himself the biggest, strongest, most intimidating badass around, how could Liam argue? He couldn’t. It wasn’t his place. Their power balance teetered precariously on the understanding that Liam would be the voice of Chris’s intent. Getting to that point had been the second most important moment in their brother bond.

A strong hand settled on his shoulder, pulling him back before the memories took hold, and he looked up to find Chris frowning down at him. That frown said Chris knew exactly how close to the rabbit hole he’d gotten and he wasn’t happy about it. If someone asked how Liam knew what Chris was thinking, he’d be hard pressed to explain it. Those soulful eyes spoke volumes, but it was more than that. It had gotten to the point that he didn’t even have to look at Chris to know what he wanted him to do, he’d just feel it. Allowing Chris to lead had freed him to grieve for the farce that was his life, for the father he believed in, and the monster he’d somehow become. It had been his brother’s unconditional gift and cemented their bond forever.

“I know, I know,” Liam grumbled. “Let it go and all that shit. Maybe I should put the damn song on my iPod and sleep with it on loop. Think it’ll work?”

Chris just shook his head and turned to lead the way to the table. Liam looked at the scene Chris set and felt some of the weight lift from his chest. The table was set for four. Normally they held this celebration alone—just the two of them, a box of Publix fried chicken, and a six pack. It was a nod to their first night of freedom and seeing it transported him right back.

In the twenty-three months they spent in prison, they never had a single visitor, so they had no idea who Jared was much less why he was interested in their case when everyone else seemed to have forgotten their existence. After listening to their story, Jared assured them that he would get them out, but they never expected him to follow through.

Forty-eight hours later, he was back with a very angry Bull and Kieran, and twenty-four hours after that, the three men were back to pick them up. The journey from their cell to the halfway house had been a blur. On the way, Kieran kept stressing that they were free and that the offer to stay at the house was their way of helping them get back on their feet, no strings attached.