You didn’t think it could happen.

Not like that.

Not to you.

You’d known Adrian Chase was dangerous.

You’d known he was violent.

You’d known he could hurt people.

But you’d also believed—deep down—that he wouldn’t hurt your people.

Because your people were the one thing you’d given him permission to protect.

You were wrong.

It happened in the smallest way possible.

A mistake. A misstep.

A moment that didn’t feel like much until you realized what it was.

Your little brother—your actual little brother—had come to visit you unexpectedly.

He’d always liked Adrian. He’d always been fascinated by the way Adrian talked like he was a hero in a movie.

He’d also always been a little too brave for his own good.

He’d walked into Adrian’s apartment while you were there, smiling, joking, and—

Adrian was in the middle of a conversation on his headset.

A mission.

Your brother didn’t know what that meant.

He didn’t know what kind of danger he’d stepped into.

He didn’t know what the word “mission” meant to Adrian.

He just saw a man with a gun.

And he did what he always did.

He tried to be funny.

“Whoa,” your brother said, laughing. “You look like you’re about to rob a bank.”

Adrian didn’t laugh.

Adrian didn’t even blink.

He turned, eyes sharp, and his hand moved without thinking.

He shoved your brother against the wall, hard.

Your brother gasped.

You froze.

Your heart stopped.

Adrian’s eyes widened, as if he realized what he’d done too late.

“—Shit,” he whispered.

Your brother rubbed his shoulder, blinking up at Adrian in confusion.

“Dude,” he said, trying to laugh it off. “What was that for?”

Adrian’s face went blank.

He looked at you, panic flooding his eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he said quickly. “I didn’t mean— I thought—”

You stood up so fast your chair scraped the floor.

“Don’t touch him,” you snapped.

Adrian flinched, like you’d slapped him.

“I didn’t—” he began.

You cut him off. “You hurt him.”

Adrian’s face twisted.

“I didn’t mean to,” he said. “It was reflex. It was a mistake.”

Your brother looked between you and Adrian, sensing the tension.

“Okay,” he said slowly. “Okay, I’m leaving.”

He started backing toward the door.

“Wait,” you said, grabbing his arm. “No. You’re not going anywhere like this.”

Your brother looked worried now. “Are you okay?”

You forced a smile. “I’m fine. I’m fine.”

You turned to Adrian, voice shaking. “He’s my brother.”

Adrian’s eyes filled with something like guilt and fear.

“I know,” he whispered. “I’m sorry.”