Sweet Fall

I leapt forward and slammed Levi by his chest against the rough bark. “They ain’t your famiglia, Lev. The cops come for you and they won’t do shit. I’m your famiglia. I’m your f**kin’ brother! I’m your blood! Io sono il tuo sangue!”

Levi’s eyes widened at my pissed-off tone, and I ran my hand over my head, trying to breathe real slow. “Look, it’s not your responsibility, Levi. You’re the baby. You’re Mamma’s pride and joy, for f**k sake. Axe and me, she knows the f**k-ups we are. You. You’re her goddamn favorite. Make her proud! Fuck! Make her proud of one of us before it’s too late, please!”

Nothing but silence stretched between us until Levi whispered, “She’s dying, Austin. I’m not gonna be no one’s favorite before too long. I won’t be making no one proud. I gotta be sure her last days aren’t spent in pain. I can’t bear looking at her screaming in agony for one more day. You’re not around. Axel’s never there. It kills me…”

I set off to take him in my arms when Axel’s loud voice cut into the quiet. “Bitch, you better get to walking if you know what’s f**kin’ good for you!”

“Shit!” I spat out, catching sight of the police’s Ford making its rounds in the distance, heading straight our way. The dean had bulked up the campus PD in the last few weeks.

I poked my head around the tree, only to see Axel crowding some student up against the tower.

Shit, shit, shit!

The lights from the car were growing closer, and I had to get my ass**le of a brother out of here. And Levi too. Last thing the kid needed was a record and a stint in juvie.

Turning to Levi, I said. “Go. Get to Axel’s truck. I’ll get Axe.”

His mouth moved to argue, but seeing I wasn’t about to take his shit, he hightailed it across the quad.

Taking a deep breath, I ran out from behind the tree and straight to Axel. He still had the chick against the brick of the tower.

“You haven’t seen shit, right? You’re not gonna mention what you saw tonight to no one. You hearing me, bitch? You need to keep your f**kin’ mouth shut!” he said through clenched teeth.

“N-n-no… I promise… Please… just let me go… I’m begging you.” The chick’s voice was tiny and shaking with obvious fear.

I had to stop Axel before he went too far. Hell, he wasn’t adding assault to his list of misdemeanors too.

Walking behind Axel, I gripped his arms and wrenched him back. “Back the f**k off, Axe,” I ordered as Axel stumbled back. Looking over Axel’s shoulder, a pair of huge green eyes glanced up at me, and I stilled.

Hell. It was that cheerleader. The one I’d spoken to after the game.

I tipped my head up to the sky. Someone up there really f**kin’ hates me.

Axel was suddenly in my face. “The bitch saw too much. She needs to know she can’t talk. I gotta deal with this shit now! Can’t have no loose ends,” he hissed out, his hands fisted at his sides as the cheerleader seemed to sink her tiny body back even farther against the wall, eyes darting everywhere but on us. She was crying, for f**k sake. Her black makeup was all over her pale face.

“She won’t.” I looked at the chick. “Will you?” I practically growled. She was frozen with fear. “Fuckin’ tell him!”

More water filled her eyes and she began shaking her head. “I-I-I won’t.”

Spinning Axel around by his arm, I said, “The cops are just about here. You need to split. I’ll make sure she doesn’t squeal.” Axel spit on the ground at her feet before pushing past me, but not before I grabbed his bicep again, my mouth at his ear. “You and me need to talk. You’ve f**ked up, brother—Levi dealing for the crew, bringing this to my school, everything! I’m not gonna let this shit go.”

Scoffing a laugh at my threat, Axel ripped his arm from my hand and marched off in the direction of the parking lot. I watched him go, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I wasn’t getting a good feeling about something. Like some big f**kin’ omen was following my brothers. It was obvious Axel was getting in deeper with the crew, moving up, getting in tighter with Gio, and by the looks of things, dragging Levi with him.

Dragging him straight into hell.

A shuffling sound from behind me pulled my attention.

Shit. The chick. I’d almost forgotten about her.

Just as I turned around, I caught her edging away, trying to make her escape. That is until she saw me watching and froze, like a damn deer caught in headlights. I had to sort this shit quick, protect my family. No matter the cost.