A few weeks after they decided to give their marriage and parenthood a real shot, she was dead and he was left devastated and determined never again to allow a woman to take him on the emotional roller coaster Caria had.

As he took the final turn onto the dirt road that would lead him to his brother, he contemplated what he would do. He wanted to kill Demir and thought he might do it if it weren’t for his mother. She loved all three of her children and losing one would destroy her. Volkan wouldn’t be responsible for emotionally crippling his mother.

Short of death, there was a lot he could do to Demir to make him see his error in betraying his older brother.

He stopped the car well back of the house, wanting the element of surprise on his side. As far as he knew, Demir didn’t know he was on his way to the cabin, though he would likely be on alert.

He climbed out of his car and strode toward Henry who was loping down the dirt driveway toward him, a concerned expression on his face. “I’ve been keeping watch, like you wanted. They’re still in there, but something's going on. I think Demir is taking out his anger on Zeynep.”

Volkan nodded. He didn’t particularly care for his brother’s greedy, grasping wife, but he didn’t want her dead either. Unfortunately, Narin was fond of Zeynep. He decided if it weren’t for his mother’s too-easily offered affections, he’d be ready to clear out his own house and start over.

Volkan approached the door and heard a scuffle coming from the other side. He tried the doorknob, but it was locked. Backing up a couple of steps, he kicked the door next to the lock, cracking the wood frame.

The door flew open.

Inside, Demir had Zeynep up against a wall, his hands wrapped around her throat. Her eyes were closed and her arms were limp at her sides, her face was a pale bluish colour. Shit, it looked like he didn’t make it in time. Another mess of Demir’s he’d have to clean up.

Demir released Zeynep’s body and she collapsed to the floor unmoving.

“Brother, I – ” Demir started.

Volkan picked him up by his lapels and threw him as hard as he could. Demir hit the couch hard enough to flip it over and send him rolling onto the floor. Before he could scramble away, Volkan grabbed him and rolled him onto his back, then sent his fist flying into Demir’s face, shattering his nose and smashing the back of his head into the floor.

“Fuck!” Demir shouted, grabbing his face. “You broke my nose!”

“I’m about to break a lot more than that,” Volkan snarled, lifting Demir off the floor and hurling him across the room.