A sob escaped, as I recognized the truth in his words. Even though he was wasted, a gun evened the playing field. He was much too close, and it wouldn’t take a straight shot to hurt or even kill. I went to move away from Rafe, but he wouldn’t let go.

“You’re not touching her. You want to shoot me, do it, but you’re not laying a hand on her.”

“Don’t test me!” Zach roared, raising the gun a few inches.

I yanked free and flung myself at Zach, clutching his shoulders, and the barrel pressed into my chest. “I’m here. Don’t hurt him.”

“What are you doing?” Rafe shouted.

“Stay back,” Zach warned him. “Don’t make me hurt her.”

I couldn’t see Rafe’s reaction to my brother’s threat, but Zach’s lips thinned into a dangerous line. “Did you fuck him?”

“Zach,” I pleaded, avoiding his furious gaze.

He gave me a rough shake with his free hand. “Answer the question!”

“Yes!”

He spit at me, and I resisted the urge to inch back as I wiped my cheek on my sleeve. He’d only pounce on it, see it as a display of weakness. As long as I stayed between the gun and Rafe, Zach couldn’t shoot him. Somehow, I had to get the weapon away from him.

“Why, Lex? Why can’t you love me like I love you?”

“If you love me, you’ll calm down and think about what you’re doing.” My words seemed to have the desired effect. He let out a breath, and I felt the gun slide down my chest by a few degrees.

“Of course I love you, baby. I’m the only one who loves you. He’s just a fucking waste of space.” He tried to push me to the side, but I clung to his jacket.

“Let’s go,” I said. “Right now. We’ll get far away from here, just you and me.” I inched a hand down his chest, disguising my aim for the gun as a caress.

Rafe jerked me back before I got close to the weapon and shielded me with his body. “Fuck no. You’re not stepping foot out of here with him.” Holding my hand tight with one hand, he gestured toward the gun with the other. “Why don’t you put that down and fight me, like we used to, or are you too washed up to take me?”

With a snarl, Zach switched on the safety and jammed the gun into his waistband. “Bring it, asshole. I can take you in my sleep.”

With the gun no longer a threat, and Zach too wasted to be a real challenge, Rafe wouldn’t have a problem taking him down.