“I asked him to come visit.” His mother spoke up.
Lucien blinked but said nothing at the blatant lie.
She stepped between them and placed a palm on both their chests. “Stop it, you two. This is the first time in years you’re both home at the same time, and I won’t allow any fighting in this house, do you hear me?”
“You shouldn’t have come back, Lucien.” Lorcan curled his fingers into fists and lasered his gaze on Lucien. The hatred in his eyes matched the tone of his voice.
“Why?” Lucien’s heart pounded and his hands ached to punch Lorcan in his pretty face before sinking his teeth into his flesh. The pain he intended for his brother would be slow and long.
“You forget, brother, who I am.” Lorcan lifted his chin.
“You are a hired killer. No one has forgotten.” Lucien sneered.
“You think what you do is more honorable?” Lorcan walked toward him. “Working for a Pack Master who tells you what to do and where to go? How’s being a servant working out for you?”
“I serve and protect the Pack of Arkansas.”
“And here you are, back in Louisiana, in a state no longer your home.” Lorcan picked up a cookie and popped it in his mouth. He chewed thoughtfully before he spoke. “Tell me, brother, what is it exactly you do for Barrett Middleton? You can’t be a Guardian, because I saw to that years ago.”
White-hot rage shot through Lucien’s body at volcanic speed. He lunged and grabbed Lorcan around the neck. He pinned him against the wall as he felt his body began to shift into wolf.
“Stop it!” His mother shouted.
Lorcan grinned and lifted his feet. He kicked Lucien in the chest. Lucien fell back onto the ground, his head smacking into the hardwood floor.
Lorcan landed on top of him, knocking the breath out of his lungs. He twisted his body and grabbed Lucien in a choke hold.
Years of combat training, natural instinct, and long-awaited revenge kicked in.
Lucien slammed his elbow into Lorcan’s nose. The sick sound of cartilage and bone breaking echoed in the room. His mother screamed. Their butler, James, ran into the kitchen.
“Master Lucien, Master Lorcan. Stop this right now,” the butler demanded.
Lucien growled and readied for another blow to his brother’s face.
“Stop it!” their mother called out. “You’re brothers. You need to remember that.”
They both froze. Lorcan’s grip loosened around his neck and he rolled off.
Lucien stood.
Lorcan got to his feet and glared at him. A stream of blood dripped from his now broken nose. He wiped at the wetness with the back of his hand but didn’t take his eyes off Lucien.
“Not changed a bit, I see.” James shook his gray head and looked at the floor in disappointment. He still had his black and white butler attire on from the party.
“I’m sorry, Mother,” Lucien admitted.
“You should have better control over your emotions by now, brother.” Lorcan taunted.
“You shouldn’t aggravate him, Lorcan,” James said as he handed him some paper towels for his nose.
Lorcan scowled at the old man.
“Lorcan, what are you doing here, anyway? It’s been months since you last visited.” His mother wet a dishtowel and dabbed at Lorcan’s face in an attempt to wash the blood away.
He ducked his head. “I got back from an assignment and thought I’d spend the night here.”
Lucien’s heart sped up. If Lorcan stayed, he’d find Catty. No way in hell was he letting his brother get near her. He’d kill him first.
“You mean you killed someone,” Lucien shot back.
Lorcan smiled and met his gaze. “I prefer ‘assassinated.’ Since I am an Assassin.”
“Oh, Lorcan.” His mother’s tone dripped with disappointment.
“It’s an honor to be the mother of an Assassin, Mother.” Lorcan cut his gaze up at her.
“It’s an honor to be the mother of a Guardian,” Lucien added.
Lorcan’s face clouded with rage. “And tell me, Lucien, how is it you’re a Guardian and yet you don’t hold the Guardian tattoo?” Lorcan grinned evilly. “Did Barrett make you a Guardian out of pity?”
Lucien growled and lunged, but his mother stepped in between them.
“Enough. I won’t have this in my house.” She glared at both of them.
“I think I’ve changed my mind about spending the night.” Lorcan stalked toward the back door. He stopped and leaned into Lucien’s personal space.
“I don’t know what your business is in Louisiana, but you need to make sure you don’t come back. You might find yourself in more danger than you can handle. Leave and don’t ever come back.”