“First thing tomorrow, then,” their father says before he strides from the room. Their time is up. His father is a busy man, probably has to talk to someone from the Department of Defense or Homeland Security. Someone more important than his two sons.

Daniel stays seated, stunned at Logan’s betrayal, the destiny that is yawning open in front of him.

“You’ve fucked me. Do you understand? I don’t want to do it. You shouldn’t want to do it! It isn’t going to go well. I can feel it. This is a mistake. And do you know what we will get for this sacrifice? Nothing. He won’t love us more. He won’t give us approval. I can’t believe you,” he whispers. His brother’s betrayal is the worst part. His father has always been an asshole. Of course he doesn’t give a shit what Daniel wants. However, Logan is not just blood but his best friend in all the world.

He hadn’t expected this from his brother.

“Daniel. You’ve heard the odds. What can we do? Do you want to be disowned? Disinherited? You know he’ll turn his back on us for dishonoring the family name if we say no.”

I’ll walk away if you will. That’s what Daniel wants to say. Because Logan is his twin. If they walk away together, then Daniel can survive anything. But what if Logan says no? He can’t stand the possibility of such a rejection.

For all his life, he’s had one person on his side. What if Logan doesn’t choose him?

“We’re still his sons. He couldn’t stand to have submissive sons. He says the odds are good and I believe him,” Logan continues. “We’ll have the best doctors. He’ll make sure of it. He’ll use his connections and we’ll be fine.”

“That man has never given us special treatment. Why the hell would he start now?”

“Because he doesn’t want to have submissive sons. His pride won’t allow it.”

Daniel wants to howl and throw something. Run away. What if he just walked out and never came back? Got a job at a fast-food place or bussing tables? Anything. He looks at his twin and the look of determination on his face. Seeing the mask covering up the fear on Logan’s face that he also feels is enough for Daniel to make his decision. How could he let his brother undergo such a thing on his own?

He sighs heavily. “Shit. I guess there’s no other choice,” Daniel says, voice rough. “You’ve both decided.”

Logan sighs as well and sits back down in the chair. “If you want to leave, I’ll support you.”

“But you won’t go with me?”

“I can’t,” he admits, wincing. “And hell, my odds are worse than yours.” Logan manages an insincere chuckle at the end.