Page 14 of Consume

“I want you to know that I’ve never killed anyone outside of combat. I need you to tell me that you believeme.”

My hands shook. “Yes, of course I know that. Grant, I need you tell me what is going on rightnow.”

He didn’t answer me and just cupped my face and kissed me. His lips crashed on mine in an urgent kiss. He’d only kissed me like this once before, the day he and Joaquín had left before their first deployment. A kiss to last me through the nights withouthim.

As if it could possibly be the last time he ever kissedme.

We exited the car and walked up the court steps, Grant holding my hand. When the metal detector didn’t beep when Grant passed through, my nerves calmed a bit. He didn’t have a gun or a knife on him. But he was a SEAL—he could kill a man in three hundred different ways. He didn’t need a weapon. He wasone.

Daniel Reed, Joaquín’s lawyer, sat at a table but there was no sign of Joaquín. After an agonizingly long hour, Joaquín walked in. He was wearing a suit, his face was cleanly shaved, and his neck tattoo peeking out from his collar. He smiled when he saw me, and I gave him a wide smile back. For a moment, I could pretend he wasn’t imprisoned. He was just my handsome brother. He was not behind bars, not in handcuffs. He was momentarilyfree.

But then I noticed the way he was looking at me. Studying my body. Giving me a slow eye fuck. I had dismissed Grant’s theory, but maybe I had been wrong. Did my brother covetme?

A female judge walked into the court and began the proceedings.

“For the hearing of The People vs. Joaquín Elías Cruz. Would the prosecution like to begin?”

The DA stood and then Grant stood as well. I attempted to pull him back to his seat, afraid he was going to lunge at Joaquín, but he remained at attention.

The judge did not look amused. “Excuse me, sailor. Please sit down, or I’ll find you in contempt of court.”

“Your honor, I’d like to address the court. My name is Grant Joseph Carrion. I was at the party the night of Tiffany’s murder. I was the one who killedher.”

What the fuck? It was all I could think as the court erupted into chaos. The judge pounded her gavel.

Daniel stood. “Your honor, with the new information I’d like to motion for my client be released immediately.”

“What have you done? Take it back. It’s not true.” I tugged on Grant, pleading him to retract the lies he had just said, but he wouldn’t even look atme.

I caught a glimpse of Joaquín’s face. I knew my brother better than anyone. But the look on his face wasn’t one of relief—it was one of shock.

Holy fuck. Joaquín was shocked by Grant’s confession, because Joaquín knew Grant was lying.

The judge finally spoke. “Bailiff. Take Mr. Carrion in for questioning immediately. Council, please see me in chambers in five minutes.”

The bailiff walked over toward Grant, who pulled me into an embrace.

“Grant, why are you doing this?” My voice cracked over the words as tears stung the backs of myeyes.

“Don’t be scared,” he whispered. “This is the only way we can find our son. You can do this. I believe in you. You are strong and brilliant. I love you. Mitch will follow you to make sure you are safe. Promise me you won’t lose him, Mia. And wear thatring.”

“Yes. Yes. I promise. I love you. You didn’t have to dothis.”

“Yes, Idid.”

One final kiss, and he was takenaway.

Daniel and the DA exited the courtroom to go to chambers with the judge.

I leaned over to Joaquín, not knowing what tosay.

He turned to me, a devilish smirk on his face. “Good job, sis. When you pick me up, I’ll take you to meet ourson.”

Wait, what the fuck did he justsay?

Before I could react, the bailiff led him away, leaving me to stare after him with a slackjaw.

Our son? Did he say ourson?

Which meant . . . it could only mean one thing.

I stood in the empty courtroom, tears welling in my eyes. I knew these two men. Grant had just lied and confessed to a murder he didn’t commit. A murder my brother had likely committed.

Grant had been right.

Joaquín rapedme.

And he thought Julián was hisson.

TO BE CONTINUED