Braila’s Chains - Trapped Between Them.

The Kiss, The Blow, And The Escape.

I got into my car and locked the doors. Leaning my forehead against the steering wheel, I sat there, stunned. What the hell did Braila just do? My head wouldn't stop thinking about the impossible? I touched my lips to check if I was dreaming.

She… kissed me?

I tried to make sense of it. Why would she do that? What was she thinking?

I sighed and glanced between my legs, worried I’d get hard from the kiss. But nothing happened. No boner. I let out a breath of relief.

I looked at my phone on the passenger seat and dialed a number. Something felt off about Braila. I could feel it.

No answer.

I started the car and drove off. Gifford had some explaining to do. I needed to beat his ass. How could he leave Braila in that state?

After Braila got banished, none of us said a word. We were all frozen. We just watched as she got dragged out of the living room. I don’t even remember what happened after that.

My dad ate like always. My stepmom looked miserable next to my little sister, Stella. Layla seemed like she was enjoying the drama. My brothers went on with their day like nothing happened.

Later, I found out Gifford had taken Braila away the same day my father kicked her out. That gave me some peace—at least she was with him. But something kept bugging me, pushing me to go see her.

I got out of my car at Gifford’s firm and spotted him talking to some directors. I stormed up to him and punched him hard across the face. Then hit him again.

He didn’t even flinch. Just stared upward as the workers scattered and the directors stepped aside, leaving us alone.

“How f*****g dare you?!” I yelled. I shouldn’t have, because Gifford could crush me if he wanted to. The guy’s brutal.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he asked, still not looking at me. His face healed instantly as he stood and fixed his suit. “Do you even know where you are?”

“Your company? Your territory?” I shouted. “Don’t make me laugh. When are you going to grow some balls? Braila is not okay! Have you ever been home? Have you seen her lately?”

“And why were you at my house?” His eyes glowed purple. “What did you—”

“I saw you,” I said, clenching my fists. “You’ve been sleeping with Layla?! I didn’t want to believe it, but I saw you with my own eyes. How could you do that to Braila? She’s always loved you and you know it. Why do you keep pushing her away like she’s nothing? Why don’t you just tell her the truth that you don't want her?”

“Shut up.”

“I almost told her,” I said, stepping closer. “I was going to tell her everything. But when I saw the shape she was in, I couldn’t do it. I didn’t want to break her even more.”

“Get the f**k out of my face.” His pheromones got heavier in the air.

I stepped back, laughing bitterly. “She kissed me.”

The look on his face was pure horror.

My eyes narrowed. “If you don’t start doing right by her, I’ll take her from you. I’ll claim her myself or give her to Ren. Just because I’m gay and like to mess around doesn’t mean I’m blind or stupid.” I scoffed. “I’m not backing down.”

And with that, I walked away.

If I had stayed any longer, he would’ve beaten me up, and I wasn’t in the mood for that. I had to leave before I pushed him too far.

Yeah, I was angry at him. I made that clear. But he doesn’t treat Braila the way he should. She’s pregnant. Maybe with his child, maybe not, but whatever the case, she didn’t deserve what she’s going through. I should’ve done more to protect her.

I wanted to. But Ren told me to stay out of it, and Slade agreed. Said I should listen.

The day Braila slept in my room… I learned a few things. She was done with Gifford. Letting go of him was the best choice she could make. So, I booked her an appointment for an abortion. It was her decision, and it seemed like the most reasonable option. I supported her—whatever she wanted. I was there.

My brothers are all jerks, anyway. I can’t see any of them being a decent father. They’d ditch the kid without a second thought and put themselves first.

And honestly, we didn’t even know who the father was. Why bring a child into this cruel world? At least, that’s what I thought. After I set up the appointment with my usual doctor, for the abortion, I came back home, but Braila was gone.

I searched everywhere. No sign of her. I rushed downstairs and found Bane and Layla in the middle of an argument.

“Why are you here? I thought you had a shoot today,” Bane said as he sliced into his bacon.

“I’m not doing that shoot. It’s boring as hell,” Layla complained.

“Have you seen Braila?” I asked quickly. “She’s not here.”

“Did you check her room?” Bane turned to me. “She should be there.”

“She’s not there.”

“Maybe she ran away,” Layla said casually.

I frowned.

“Layla,” Bane warned, raising an eyebrow.

“What? Don’t look at me like that. Where else could she be if not here?”

“Sometimes I wonder who’s actually older between us.”

“Of course it’s me.” Layla rolled his eyes. “You just act older because you get all the attention. Like your s*x tape, it opened so many doors for you.”

She's definitely insane.

“I’m not arguing with you,” I said, shaking my head. “You’re just a waste of my time.”

“Braila is with Ren.”

“Ren?” we all said at once.

I looked up and saw Slade standing on the stairs. His eyes met ours, then he walked away.

“What the hell do you mean Braila is with Ren?” Gifford’s voice came from behind us. He looked confused. “What’s going on?”

I gave him no answer.

“Slade just told us Ren is with Braila,” Layla said, getting up and walking over to Gifford. “So let her go already.”

Gifford brushed past her and ran upstairs. A few minutes later, he came back down.

“You guys were serious?” he said quietly as he walked down the stairs. “Why? What happened?” He looked straight at me. “You were with her last night.”

“Yeah, I was,” I admitted, stepping away from Layla and Bane. “But I don’t know where she is. I’m searching for her just like you are.”

“She probably overheard something,” Grimm said as he walked out of the kitchen. “From our father, actually,” he added casually. “I caught her scent while he was talking.”

“So she left with Ren because of something she heard,” Layla said mockingly. “That’s hilarious. What a whore.”

Gifford stepped off the last stair and left the living room. Stood there for a moment before heading out myself. I tried calling Braila, but her phone was off. I called Ren too, but he wasn’t picking up.