The Pleasure of the Pain

Two- CALEB

"NICK!" I shoved open the door, staring at the crumpled front of the Mustang as the armed guard took aim at my brother.

"NO!" I lunged, hands up, desperation roaring through me as Nick slumped against the steering wheel...and didn't get up.

"T!" I screamed.

"DRIVE THE FUCKING CAR!" I stared at the asshole with his gun pointed at my brother, yanked open the driver's door, and froze. There was blood...so much blood. A moan ripped free before I moved, grabbed his arm, and lifted.

The heavy metallic stench of blood filled my nose as his cold shirt stuck against my skin. Fuck, he was heavy. There was only a year between us, but a lot of fucking personality, and muscle, it seemed. I drove upwards, my body howling under the strain as I lifted him from a crouch, pulling him from behind the steering wheel to over my shoulder.

Car doors thudded behind me as I yanked the rear door open and dropped Nick against the seat. 

"Be alive, you crazy motherfucker." I reached for his neck and pressed my fingers against the warmth. There was a pulse...but it was faint, real fucking faint. I stepped backwards, shoved his feet inside and slammed the door. I glared at that bastard with the gun as I slid behind the wheel of my brother's Mustang and prayed like I'd only ever prayed once before in my life. This time, my pleas had to be answered.

"Come on." I twisted the key in the ignition, and the engine spluttered to life with a roar. Yes! I shoved the car into reverse and drove my boot against the accelerator. The Mustang didn't move, just roared, until I punched the pedal harder, listening to the squeal of steel until finally the car tore free.

Tires spun, kicking up rocks to pepper the underbelly of the car as I reversed hard and yanked the wheel. I glanced behind me.

"Hang on, buddy." I glanced at the bloody shirt, my heart thundering at the sight. I shoved the car into gear, hating how we had to leave Ryth behind. But right now, keeping my brother alive was all I thought of. I drove as fast as I could, taking the corners hard as I raced toward the city hospital.

The Lamborghini hugged my ass. Tobias was a dark outline behind the wheel.

"You still with me, buddy?" I risked a glance behind me. His lips were pale, his skin graying. Shit, that didn't look good.

"Nick...Nick!" There was no answer. I forced myself to focus on the road, aiming the busted-up car toward the Hope Emergency Department and pulled up hard outside the doors.

I killed the engine and shoved out of the car, bellowing as the double doors opened automatically.

"We need a doctor here! Someone help me! WE NEED A GODDAMN DOCTOR!"

"What the fuck happened?" Tobias shouted. The heavy thud of his footsteps was so fucking loud in my ears. But I couldn't answer him, because the truth was...I didn't know. Time slowed, everything slowed. Two men came running out, one pushing a gurney my way as I yanked open the rear door and reached for him, lifting Nick out of the car.