Thanks to The Boots

Chapter Twenty-Three

Third Person POV
Ryder tackles his older brother to the ground, Brianna's eyes just closed and he's realizes she might be dead. When the brothers make contact, Ryan's grip is automatically released.

The two brother's fight on the ground for a couple minutes, each landing a couple good punches.

Ryder ends up on top of Ryan, but he stops punching. He gets off his brother, and crawls over to Brianna. There's already bruises on her throat. He gently places two fingers under her jaw, feeling for a pulse. He relaxes when he gets a slow one.

"Is she alive?" Ryan asks, catching his breath and leaning against one of the walls.

"Yeah, no thanks to you," Ryder replies.

Ryan just nods, standing up. "I'll tell Dad you have to see her, for the good of the gang."

Ryder rolls his eyes, "I told you, he can't tell me what to do. All these guards would just let me pass by, their loyalties are stronger to me."

Ryan sighs, "I know. And Dad knows. It's hard for him to know you're higher than he is."

"Please, he is hardly a part of this gang anymore. When was the last time he went to a meeting?"

Ryan shrugs. "You should try to listen to him once in a while, he might know what's best for you."

"Just like he knew what was best for Mom?" Ryder spits, "Face it, Ryan, we're both just pawns in Dad's game. The sooner you realize that and step off his game board, the better."

"And step onto your own game board? You're just like him."

"Don't ever say that."

"What? It's not like it isn't true. When he was your age he rose through the ranks quickly."

"But he didn't care for anyone," Ryder mumbles, staring at Brianna.

It's just an act, he tells himself.

"You and I both know he cared for Mom."

"I would never do anything similar to that to her!" He quickly adds, "Or whoever I end up with, if I end up with someone."

"I'm sure he said the same thing."

Ryder jumps up and stands in front of Ryan, "The only thing that man and I have in common is our last name."

Ryan laughs, "Tell yourself whatever you want, little brother. Watch out for you thing, though, she may be making friends with people she shouldn't." Ryan turns and walks down the hallway, he knows he was exaggerating, but it was what Ryder needed to hear to start asking questions.

Ryder looks down at Brianna, I won't ask about her friendships, she has this more planned out than I could even imagine, he decides.

He gently slides his arms underneath her legs and arms, he picks her up and carries her to her room. He could get one of the guards to carry her, or take her to his room, but that feels wrong for some reason. He shakes off the feeling, and continues to her room.

He carefully lays her on her bed, then begins to walk out.
Brianna's POV
I slowly open my eyes, I'm in my room. I see Ryder turning to walk out. "Wait!" I call out, my voice is quiet and hoarse, and it hurts to talk.

He spins around, "What's wrong?"

"Could you please bring me a glass of water?"

He nods, then walks out. I bet he's just asking a guard to do it. I get worried when he isn't back automatically, then I relax. He probably just didn't do it, he isn't the same as the Ryder at his apartment. He's colder and meaner, just like I said at dinner.