In The Safety Of A Lie - COMPLETED!

Chapter 12

CONTENT WARNING! : Language, Violence.

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Sitting at the bar seemed to be the only plan that could form to Joey's brain. He'd barely gotten though the day without thinking about Ev, and seeing Nakita hadn't helped. Getting off of work had only led to him wanting to be with her. He couldn't shake her from his mind.

He'd been a fool for thinking things would workout between the two of them. Hurting her had been the last of his desires, but it had been unavoidable. He should have taken the high road and not even bothered to lay an eye on her. She had turned out to be the one thing that he'd always wanted. The person that could fill up the void deep within him. That void was back and stronger than ever. It reminded him of all of the sleepless nights he'd had in his past.

The only thing he wanted to do was drown his thoughts in alcohol. He swirled the bourbon around in the little shot glass before downing the whole thing. The burn of the liquor down his throat was barely noticeable. He was numb.

A chair pulled out next to him, but he ignored it. If someone wanted to sit next to him, he didn't care. This was his time. He had no desire to socialize.

"First time my brother's tried to drown his girl problems away." The gruff voice held an air of humor to it.

Joey sighed. Of course his brother would show up on a down day. He set the shot glass down on the counter and signaled the bartender for a double. He slid the second shot glass over to Davy Markes, before downing his own in a timely fashion.

Davy swirled the liquor around before doing the same. "What? Not even a hello to your older brother? Your manners are far from being desired, Joey."

"What do you want, Davy?" Joey sat up and faced his brother.

Davy stared at him, pondering for a moment. "Maybe I just wanted to see my baby brother."

Joey stared back at him for a moment longer before turning his focus back to his shot glass and signaling to the bartender for another. Davy never just dropped in to say hello, there was always an ulterior motive. A social visit always led to a beating; a motivated visit always led to something more. Either way, the extra drink would help numb the pain that would be sure to follow eventually. He deserved it anyway.

"Came alone?" Joey slammed the next drink, feeling the slight buzz from the alcohol drown out some of his sharpness. He didn't want to be too liquored up to feel the beating. He wanted to feel the punches, the bruises forming. Maybe it would help to make him atone for the sins he committed.

"You know I never go anywhere alone." Davy flashed a quick smile.

Joey swallowed and shook his head. "Nope, you don't, brother. To what do I owe this sick, twisted pleasure?" He threw his arms out in emphasis and faced his brother again.

"There's that optimism. I do have a question for you." He pinned Joey with his icy blue eyes, refusing to budge even for a blink. He had a good twenty or thirty pounds on Joey, all mean muscle and attitude. They were pretty similar in height, but Davy still had an inch or two on his brother.

"Are you going to make me beg to find out that question?" Joey sliced in the attitude. What did he really have to lose? Davy would never kill him for anything. There was always a price to be paid, however.

Davy signaled for another drink for himself. He threw a few dollars on the countertop and nodded to the bartender as he swallowed the burning liquid. "For getting laid last night, you're sure in a foul mood, aren't you?" He snapped at his brother.